Top Five Returning Passers in 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at each of the top five passers in yards that return in Class 5A this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552779"],"_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-688d0626af8dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With a breakout junior campaign to finish second in the 5A in passing yards behind St. Thomas signee and crosstown rival, Jack Wallace, Iowa City Liberty quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'] returns after throwing for 2,719 yards last season. The Lightning signal caller took his team to the 5A state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion, Southeast Polk, 38-35. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rettig will face a real challenge to find himself atop the stat rankings again this fall after losing his top three receivers to graduation, but the dual-threat gunslinger has all the experience he could need heading into his senior year, seeking the elusive state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a unique throwing motion, Rettig can throw to all three levels of the defense, but will be asked to step up his game in 2025 with what is virtually an entirely new supporting cast of weapons around him. With a ridiculous completion percentage of 73.1% and just three picks to 28 touchdown passes, Rettig finds his receivers -- it's about whether they can make plays similar to his pass-catchers from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238521"],"_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-688d0626af938"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back after throwing for 2,373 yards for the Black Raiders, [player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen'] will lead the Sioux City East offense once again this fall. With more of a fluid motion, Jepsen throws the deep ball with a bit more touch, making for an easily caught ball on shots downfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jepsen shows the ability to make accurate throws on the run, forcing defenses into coverage for longer, allowing his receivers to get open. Though he only took off for ten runs total last season, opposing defenses must be ready for him to run at any time as well, given how well he throws the ball moving to the left or right of the pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204436"],"_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-688d0626af97d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lone junior returning to lead his team on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] may have the best chance of playing Division I ball as a quarterback, too. Standing at 6'1", 170-pounds and another super high completion percentage of 74.4%, Heitland is a smart passer that gets the ball to his receivers to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's also cultivated chemistry with the receivers around him, knowing when and where they'll be to deliver them the ball and give them the best opportunity to make a play on it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Passing for 1,883 yards and 28 touchdowns last fall, don't be surprised if Heitland takes a major leap forward, given the fact that the Wolves retain his top three receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='1204437' first='Jordon' last='Green'], Iowa PWO commit [player_tooltip player_id='1295632' first='Isaiah' last='Oliver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1619612' first='Elliott' last='Combe']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234329"],"_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-688d0626af9c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lone returning starter in the Cedar Rapids 5A school area, [player_tooltip player_id='1234329' first='Vernon' last='Benda'] is back under center for Jefferson after leading the J-Hawks to their first winning season since 2015. The rising senior QB could easily be ranked higher on this list after completing 55.8% of his passes in 2024 and finishing the year with 1,840 yards through the air. Facing the issue of dropped passes by teammates, Benda can make some tough throws, though they occasionally end up on the ground when they should be caught.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a D1 receiver back on the outside as well in Llloydson Nyenow Jr., Jefferson's passing game has a chance to make a major leap forward this season, potentially catapulting the J-Hawks back to relevance and the playoff hunt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238506"],"_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-688d0626af9fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lone passer on this list with less than 100 passes completed in 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'] of Ames is back, looking to improve his production this fall. Completing just 53.7% of his passes to reach 1,819 yards is pretty impressive. He doesn't have ridiculous arm strength, but the ability to extend plays is certainly a calling card for Cantonwine. The 6'1", 190-pound QB evades pressure incredibly well, making every passing down difficult on defensive linemen, who just can't seem to bring him down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easily the most explosive athlete of the bunch, Cantonwine makes plays with his legs, too. He rushed for 615 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season, and his playmaking ability with his feet is unmatched. If Cantonwine can refine his skills as a passer, he has the chance to skyrocket up recruiting boards this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->