The 30 Touchdown Club | Prep Redzone Iowa | Part 1
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Eclipsing 30 total touchdowns is an impressive and very difficult mountain to scale; there aren’t many players who are able to reach that feat each season. It requires a lot of offensive skill and plenty of opportunities to get there. …
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Continue ReadingEclipsing 30 total touchdowns is an impressive and very difficult mountain to scale; there aren’t many players who are able to reach that feat each season. It requires a lot of offensive skill and plenty of opportunities to get there. Take a look at some of the members who became part of the exclusive club in 2021, where they finished statistically, and how they were able to get there in part 1 of this series.
Bryant Williams, C/O 2022, RB, Burlington, hudl, Twitter
Williams, one of just a handful of Running Backs to join the club, earned 28 of his 30 touchdowns as a product of his astronomical 2,226 rushing yards. He also scored a receiving touchdown and rounded it out with a kick return touchdown. He seemed to be able to reach full speed in just a couple of steps out of his stance by the time he took the handoff. There was often heavy traffic near the line of scrimmage for Bryant to navigate rushing out of a tight, closed formation. He cut and weaved his way to daylight at full speed and, with legitimate 4.4 speed, nobody was going to be able to catch him. Bryant’s ability to stay upright through contact with an incredibly strong lower body broke tackles, extended plays, and got him to the house.
Joey Anderson, C/O 2022, RB, Underwood, hudl, Twitter
Anderson found pay dirt twice last week to join the 30 Touchdown Club in Underwood’s playoff victory over Western Christian; he’ll have a chance to add to that this Friday against West Sioux. Anderson is in extra exclusive company as a Running Back in this club, especially considering that all 30 of his scores came out of the backfield. At 10.1 yards per carry Anderson got to the open field often. He did so by demonstrating patience in the backfield as blocks were executed. Anderson followed the big boys up front into the second level and from there his vision and athleticism took over. He is one of the most slippery backs in Iowa and, between that and his excellent vision, can make anyone miss. Anderson always has a trick up his sleeve.
James Edwards, C/O 2022, QB, Nevada, hudl, Twitter
Edwards will have a chance this Friday against Harlan to add to his total, but he has already cracked the 30 touchdown mark with 12 passing and 21 rushing scores. Edwards does a lot of his damage on designed runs, reads, and scrambles. Opponents always need to have eyes on him because he is so capable out of the backfield. Nevada does an excellent job putting Edwards in positions to thrive with their play calling. A lot of play-action and zone protection disguised as run blocking lets Edwards air it out. He is just a playmaker; the amount of times this season Edwards was able to elude pressure and take off or buy time to get receivers open and find them is impressive and led to plenty of trips to the endzone for the Cubs.
Carson Toebe Carson Toebe 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Clear Lake | 2022 State IA , C/O 2022, QB, Clear Lake, hudl, Twitter
Toebe finished his Senior year with 33 total touchdowns, 17 passing and 16 rushing, and only needed the regular season to get there. The 6’3 dual-threat was an excellent fit in the Lions’ offense; his big arm paired with a strong ability to make reads when meshing with Running Backs and jetting Wide Receivers proved to be very effective. The balance shown in how he was able to hang so many points on the board is certainly evidence of that. Toebe also excelled on play-action. The way he disguised mesh and sold such a good fake froze coverage while his receivers were getting into their routes. He also did really well using his legs to stay clean and throw outside of the pocket. Toebe, with his big frame, was also a huge asset near the goal line.
Preston Ries Preston Ries 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Monticello | 2024 State IA , C/O 2024, QB, Monticello, hudl, Twitter
Ries surpassed the 30 touchdown mark by throwing for 18 scores and rushing for 14 more. His 3,651 total yards for the season made finding the endzone and putting up points a habit. Ries is the kind of player that can make any call the right one with his unique abilities and skill set. His speed and body control gives him an edge over those who are trying to take him down. On designed runs, even when blocking wasn’t perfect, Ries turned what seemed like nothing at first into something big. The way he could bounce it, get outside, win the edge, and turn it up is just one of the many ways he manufactured offense. Another was through a toughness dropping back and willingness to hang in the pocket and deliver darts under pressure and into contact.
Bryce Stalder Bryce Stalder 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Greene County | 2022 IA , C/O 2022, QB, Greene County, hudl, Twitter
Stalder was incredibly efficient in his Senior year for the Rams; they threw 30% of the time and one of every seven of Stalder’s attempts found the endzone for 19 touchdowns. He crossed the goal line 11 times on the ground at nearly 8 yards per carry. Stalder had plenty of tools at his disposal to put together such a successful season that saw him thrive week in and week out. His big right arm launched the ball down field averaging 17 yards per completion for plenty of explosive plays. He also possesses terrific awareness and mobility; the way he extended plays to find open targets made him that much more productive. He also ran angry and physically on designed carries. Stalder earned plenty of scores with stiff arms and lowered shoulders.
Isaac Kacmarynski Isaac Kacmarynski 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Pella Christian | 2023 IA , C/O 2023, QB, Pella Christian, hudl, Twitter
Kacmarysnki experienced some serious growth and maturity in the offseason, which resulted in a significant increase in offensive output. His respectable 1,934 total yards and 21 total touchdowns posted as a Sophomore grew to 2,513 total yards and 36 total touchdowns in 2021. Kacmarysnki has outstanding pocket mechanics and is a true gunslinger in Pella Chrisitan’s Trips and Empty sets. The footwork and mobility used consistently each time he took a spap and got into his progressions set him up to be able to get the ball anywhere on the field. He makes difficult throws look routine with the flick of a wrist. Kacmarynski flashes next level talent, especially when he steps up as pressure breaks through on the edges and connects downfield.
Carter Gallagher Carter Gallagher 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Columbus Catholic | 2022 IA , C/O 2022, QB, Columbus Catholic, hudl, Twitter
Three year varsity starter, Gallagher, is no stranger to big time offensive production, but this is his first time surpassing the 30 touchdown mark after going for 20 and 26 the last two years. He wraps up his career as a member of the club with 31 touchdowns this season: 22 through the air and 9 on the ground. He did an outstanding job as the field general in the Sailor’s 10 personnel sets. Gallagher was more than capable of dropping back and picking coverage apart to rack up the scores; his arm talent could fit tight windows and throw receivers open. His back-shoulder fade along the sideline, on top of other routes, was a sight to see. The way Gallagher could still get plenty of zip on his throws from difficult positions, like off his back foot, impressed.