Cedar Rapids Prairie Senior Class with Something to Prove

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After reaching the playoffs in 12 straight seasons, the Hawks fell short for the first time in over a decade last season. The group of upperclassmen are ready to get back, led by several seniors that are key starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361747"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687919a0288e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The "best senior football player in the state" according to head coach Kyle Knock, [player_tooltip player_id='1361747' first='David' last='Fason'] returns after an uber-productive junior campaign for the Prairie Hawks. An athletic, 6'2" and 240-pound defensive lineman and tight end, Fason posted 35 catches for 519 yards and 13 touchdowns offensively, while adding 40.5 tackles and leading his team in sacks (4.5) and tackles-for-loss (14.5) in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridiculous ball skills and smooth movements as a route-runner make Fason a difficult cover for anyone on the defensive side of the ball, plus his strength and arm-length allow him to create separation at the line of scrimmage, making him an even tougher cover. Defensively, those same traits come in hand when getting after the quarterback and disrupting the run game on the DL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though Fason didn't participate in practice on Thursday (he's part of the Prairie baseball team that recently qualified for state), he showed off some of those ball skills, snagging a few passes from teammates with one hand, and showing off his 6'9" wingspan in doing so. With interest from Iowa, UNI and others, Fason may be one big season away from locking up his first -- and potentially more -- Division I offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619401"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687919a02896c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back at nose guard and hoping to improve on his numbers from last year, [player_tooltip player_id='1619401' first='Romeo' last='Klein-Foote'] is a disruptive pass-rusher with long arms and a season of varsity 5A football under his belt. He may not be the star of the defensive line -- that will likely be Fason -- but the 6'3" and 260-pound defensive tackle will be a key piece to the Prairie Hawks' defensive efforts in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season, Klein-Foote put together 11.5 tackles, including six tackles-for-loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241371"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1717497,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687919a0289ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Returning for his second year starting at center, [player_tooltip player_id='1241371' first='Aiden' last='Packard'] will be a staple on the Prairie offensive line once again this fall. Packard served as a leader and an example for the rest of his teammates upfront during practice, and he'll be an anchor for the group to lean on. Packard is a strong presence with excellent experience. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619412"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1717500,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687919a028a06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big for a corner at 6'1", [player_tooltip player_id='1619412' first='Brady' last='Peterka'] will be an integral piece to defending opposing passing attacks this season for Prairie. Likely set to take on the matchup of defending the top receiver for the opposing team, Peterka's play will be of the utmost importance when defending the pass. He may be a bit slower than some receivers due to his size, but his length will help in coverage, and the Mississippi Valley second-teamer's experience on the back end will prove valuable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Peterka posted 24 tackles along with two interceptions that he returned a total of 42 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216911"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687919a028a4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A key defensive back last season that's entering his third year as a starter, [player_tooltip player_id='1216911' first='Max' last='Schwieger'] served as more of a versatile playmaker on the back end for Prairie last year. With a total of 25.5 tackles, including 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks, Schwieger is used as a Swiss army knife for the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He'll look to make a leap in offensive production this season after posting just three catches for 23 yards last year. On Thursday, he made more of an impact as a receiver with the first-team offense in 7-on-7, making a finger tip catch on a deep ball from junior quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='458050' first='Cael' last='Kongshaug']. If he shows up like that for the offense this season, Kongshaug will have a myriad of weapons to find in the passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->