Season Preview: 4A-District 3 Teams, Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You're going to chew up some highway getting around in Class 4A-District 3. Clinton to Oskaloosa is 170 miles and projected to take folks more than two and a half hours to drive. The high-end action should be worth your traveling time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Rapids Xavier went unbeaten in District 3 play in 2023. North Scott finished 4-1 with its lone loss coming against the Saints, 26-20. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's Top 2 are favored to be in the district race again. Interesting teams behind them are poised to make a move as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:&nbsp;</strong>Xavier claims three state championships in the last seven seasons, the last one coming two years ago. Barring an unforeseen slip, the Saints will be in the hunt for big prizes again in '24, and they'll be hungry after bowing out in the quarterfinals last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll be breaking in a new quarterback with the graduation of ultra-efficient Ronan Thomas along with five other all-state performers. The cupboard is never bare on 42nd Street Northeast, however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Xavier offense will utilize the versatile playmaking ability of junior Carter Hoffmann, who led the team in receiving last season. Third-leading pass catcher Jack Stevenson also is one of the team's better defenders at linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1402852' first='Ryan' last='Beckmann'] and Colin Miller are key pieces in what should be a formidable O-Line. Beckmann can double as a disruptive defensive lineman, a description that fits Brandon Smith, too. Carson Slaughter and [player_tooltip player_id='1316006' first='Cohen' last='Honkomp'] make life difficult for opponents from their posts in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1279986' first='Jean' last='Ngoma'], TE-DE; Jack Downey, LB; Dane Melchior, QB; [player_tooltip player_id='1827747' first='Cash' last='Parks'], QB; Gunnar Black, OL/DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1238598' first='Jack' last='Schimberg'], RB/LB;  Mason Meyer, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1827791' first='Beau' last='Morio'], RB/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619867' first='Ryan' last='Kelly'], DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Scott</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:&nbsp;</strong>The Lancers topped Decorah in last season's playoffs before Western Dubuque took them out in the quarterfinals. North Scott has reached the postseason 16 years in a row and in 18 of the last 19 campaigns, winning it all in '20. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Xavier, the Lancers will be replacing one of the state's top quarterbacks with Kyler Gerardy now a freshman at Iowa. That could be his backup last year, [player_tooltip player_id='690937' first='Thanaphat' last='Chase Smith'], who also shines at place kicker. Whoever lines up behind center will be surrounded by plenty of proven talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1402859' first='Jerrod' last='Lee'] led them in rushing last season, while also being a disruptive defender. He and fellow running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1279968' first='Robert' last='Palmer'], are threats running and receiver. Out wide, [player_tooltip player_id='1279117' first='Cash' last='Bowe'] (1st-Team All-State) and [player_tooltip player_id='305767' first='Carson' last='Lage'] form one of the best receiver duos in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='1418139' first='Kye' last='Smith'] helps at receiver and in the secondary. Jace Tippet, Jay Lightle and [player_tooltip player_id='1238170' first='Peyton' last='Brenner'] are defensive stalwarts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong> Will Schneckloth,&nbsp;TE/LB; Jesse Eller,&nbsp;WR/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1418137' first='Beau' last='Morgan'], LB/RB; Zachary Powell,&nbsp;LB/TE; Gehrig Kirst,&nbsp;LB/TE; Cole Johnson, WR/DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Creek Amana</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:&nbsp;</strong>Expectations are high in Tiffin with Lance Pedersen taking over the Clippers following a successful coaching run at Mount Vernon. Coming off back-to-back 3-6 seasons, CCA will be looking to rebound after reaching the postseason in three of the previous four campaigns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Clippers have plenty of holes to fill following graduation losses and a new coaching staff has most guys starting from the same spot. That said, proven players are back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='252329' first='Brody' last='Clubb'], a North Dakota State commitment, is one of the state's top players. [player_tooltip player_id='533061' first='Vinnie' last='Keller'], Jacek Wauters and [player_tooltip player_id='986738' first='Cole' last='Smith'] also shine on the lines. [player_tooltip player_id='1406686' first='Owen' last='Rosenberg'] is a versatile receiver that's a threat in the rushing game, too. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1340943' first='Ben' last='Haughey'] is one of the better defenders in the district as are Trace Robertson and Nolan Howell in the secondary. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='1242952' first='Aren' last='Schlemme'] to build on a strong sophomore season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong> Wyatt Key,&nbsp;QB; Cale Berry, WR/DB/P; &nbsp;Kasyn VandeBerg, TE/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1819418' first='Ethan' last='Vice'],&nbsp;WR/DB; Brody Fairholm,&nbsp;OL/DL; Carson Bromwell,&nbsp;OL/DL; Cale Nash, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1207833' first='Colton' last='Wolcott'], ATH. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Burlington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:&nbsp;</strong>The Grayhounds, who enjoyed highs and lows in '23, are working for a smoother ride this season. They'll be trying to improve on their 2-3 district mark from a year ago. With graduation losses, they'll need guys to step up to make that happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versatile junior [player_tooltip player_id='1238599' first='Adrian' last='Perez-Hall'] is an excellent player to build around, and [player_tooltip player_id='1238600' first='Mason' last='McAllister'] is a rising offensive lineman. Buxton Carlson and [player_tooltip player_id='1619461' first='Keshawn' last='Wyldon'] have a chance to break out on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1825961' first='John' last='Phillips'],&nbsp;QB/LB; Kohl Lair, LB/RB; David Robinson, LB/RB; Darius Shealey,&nbsp;LB; Owen Difederico,&nbsp;DB; &nbsp;Gavin Carlson,&nbsp;LB; Porter Humphery,&nbsp;LB; DJ Morgan,&nbsp;DL/OL; Nick Carter, OL/DL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oskaloosa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:&nbsp;</strong>After winning its first two contests, Oskaloosa stumbled to a 1-6 finish last season. It fell to CCA and Burlington by a total of 13 points, however, providing hope that improvement is possible in '24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oskaloosa returns its starting quarterback ([player_tooltip player_id='1153953' first='Kayne' last='Boender']), leading rusher (AJ Walker) and four of its top five receivers ([player_tooltip player_id='1242948' first='Max' last='Roach'], Jaden DeRonde, [player_tooltip player_id='1619921' first='Heavon' last='Knox'], Trey Parks). Roach, Parks, [player_tooltip player_id='1402874' first='Grady' last='Kool'],&nbsp;Kaiden Parker, [player_tooltip player_id='1406409' first='Maddux' last='Ashman'], Parker Lewis and Merek Padgett help form a sound defensive foundation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong> Dom Piersel, LB/RB; Omar Garcia,&nbsp;CB/WR; Jake Linder, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1406413' first='Lukas' last='Toubekis'],&nbsp;LB/OL; Brock Beerbower, OL/DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1466769' first='Parker' last='Jordan'],&nbsp;OL/DL; Caden Johnson, OL/DL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clinton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:&nbsp;</strong>The River Kings are seeking some traction coming off their third winless season in the last five years. They only lost to Burlington and Oskaloosa by a combined 10 points in '23, though, perhaps showing that brighter days are ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ayden Wiebers and Jaxon Spooner are back after sharing quarterback responsibilities last fall. TeKari Doctor is an experienced running back, and [player_tooltip player_id='1406693' first='Jordan' last='Coleman'], Mharlo Guy and Bryant Lee are veteran receivers. Logan Lorenzen can impact the game in the trenches. On defense, Spooner, Doctor, Guy, Lorenzen, Joshua Orr and&nbsp;Paul Anderson deliver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players to Watch:</strong> B.J Cooley, LB; Jack Hoffman,&nbsp;LB; Sam Hoffman, LB; Jadis Franklin, OL/DL; Demonte Dangerfield, OL/DL; Jakobe Worrels, WR/KR. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->