Class 2A: All-State Quarterbacks Led By Lutmer, Ries, DeJean

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A familiar name ranks among the top quarterbacks in Class 2A this past year, as [player_tooltip player_id='246721' first='Beckett' last='DeJean'] led OABCIG to another memorable season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeJean, the brother of current University of Iowa standout and former Falcon two-time state champion Cooper DeJean, racked up over 2,000 yards in the air and was also a thorn in the side of coaches with his legs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But a pair were just too valuable and too good to not put in the top spot. Monticello's [player_tooltip player_id='156453' first='Preston' last='Ries'] did it the more conventional way, while [player_tooltip player_id='152617' first='Zach' last='Lutmer'] of Central Lyon/George-Little Rock was exceptional in every way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team - [player_tooltip player_id='156453' first='Preston' last='Ries'] - Monticello - Junior/[player_tooltip player_id='152617' first='Zach' last='Lutmer'] - Central Lyon/George-Little Rock - Senior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior [player_tooltip player_id='156453' first='Preston' last='Ries'] helped Monticello win seven games, score a postseason victory and reach the second round. Now, he and his teammates will look to build upon that. Ries led all of Class 2A quarterbacks with 2,543 yards, completing an incredible 69.3 percent of his passes with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ries is a big-time player and shined at his brightest in the biggest of games. He will have plenty of experience by the time his senior season ends, and has all the tools needed to be a college quarterbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='152617' first='Zach' last='Lutmer'], meanwhile, missed time with an injury, but there as no denying his incredible skills on the football field. The future University of Iowa Hawkeye threw for almost 1,400 yards with 16 TDs and just two interceptions, ran for over 1,500 yards and 22 scores, and also made 45 tackles with three interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, and behind Lutmer, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock claimed the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Team - [player_tooltip player_id='246721' first='Beckett' last='DeJean'] - OABCIG - Senior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing a legend like Cooper DeJean is next to impossible, and when you have the same last name, the weight of expectations can drown you. [player_tooltip player_id='246721' first='Beckett' last='DeJean'], though, found a way to carve out his own name in the history books. The senior quarterback showed off the same kind of athleticism that his brother had, throwing for over 2,200 yards with 26 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeJean completed 50 percent of his throws and was at his best in space creating as evident by his 998 yards rushing and 14 TDs. He also was exceptional on defense with 32 tackles and three forced turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Third Team - Tate Platte - Des Moines Christian - Junior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you haven't noticed by the grades of several of these quarterbacks around the state, the current junior class is a very good, very deep one. Des Moines Christian standout Tate Platte is another member of that group. He racked up 31 passing touchdowns with just seven interceptions on 278 attempts this past fall, throwing for 2,293 yards while completing 61 percent of his throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect quite the ball between Ries and Platte next fall for top honors here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukon's Noah Hatlan, Northeast's [player_tooltip player_id='252220' first='Gavin' last='Kramer'] and West Marshall's [player_tooltip player_id='300608' first='Peyton' last='Hart'] each had fine seasons. Hatlan threw for over 1,800 yards, Kramer had 19 touchdowns and Hart had 20 passing scores with just six interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->