Prep Redzone Presents: 2020 Eight-Player All-State Team
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In the incredibly high-powered world of eight-player football, finding the best of the best can be a difficult chore. At Prep Redzone, we have picked through the numerous other all-state teams, looked at the stats, taken another peak at the…
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Continue ReadingIn the incredibly high-powered world of eight-player football, finding the best of the best can be a difficult chore.
At Prep Redzone, we have picked through the numerous other all-state teams, looked at the stats, taken another peak at the film and tried our best to honor the elite in Iowa with more top accolades.
Here’s a look at the Prep Redzone 2020 Eight-Player All-State Team:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Eddie Burgess, Montezuma (2022)
It has become difficult to look at the numbers Eddie Burgess puts up and not smile. He is like a created character in a video game. The Montezuma junior threw for 3,803 yards with 59 touchdowns while adding another 1,148 yards and 28 scores on the ground.
Heck, Burgess also was a key member of the Brave defense and easily could have earned all-state honors on that side of the football.
Plain and simply put, Burgess is a gifted athlete who would shine anywhere from eight-player to Class 4A. He is big, strong and smart with an ability to make all the passes and reads.
Running Backs
Keagan Giesking, Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2021); Carson Pariseau Carson Pariseau 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Janesville | 2021 IA , Janesville (2021)
With nearly 300 attempts on his belt, Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Keagan Giesking showed that he can handle any workload. The senior ran for almost 2,200 yards and scored 32 times, averaging over seven yards per carry.
Carson Pariseau Carson Pariseau 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Janesville | 2021 IA posted 10.6 – yes, over 10 yards – per attempt, racking up 1,838 with 36 trips to the end zone for Janesville.
Some might say RBs in eight-player cannot transition over to the next level, but watching Giesking and Pariseau, there is little doubt either could find success in college at the position.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Trey Shearer, Montezuma (2021); Cole Watts, Montezuma (2021); Jacob Moel, BGM (2022)
It can be difficult to honor two players at the same position from the same team, but you would also be doing a huge disservice by not naming Trey Shearer and Cole Watts. All Shearer did was catch 99 passes for over 1,600 yards with 31 TDs while Watts added 60 receptions for over 1,400 yards and 19 scores.
Teams had no much trouble with trying to contain Montezuma that they were left looking at the backs of Shearer and Watts a number of times.
Jacob Moel should slide right into the top spot in eight-player at wide receiver after catching 56 passes for 790 yards with nine scores as a junior.
Offensive Line
Cedric Yoder, Don Bosco (2021); Xavier Galles, Remsen St. Mary’s (2021); Justin McCaulley, Southeast Warren (2021)
When you can dominate upfront in eight-player, you have to give credit to the boys in the trenches. Cedric Yoder, Xavier Galles and Justin McCaulley constantly dominated the opposition and helped open things up on offense for their respective teams.
Utility
Cael Frost, Don Bosco (2021)
Showing just how multi-purpose he is, Cael Frost ran for 40 touchdowns and over 2,200 yards as a quarterback for Don Bosco. He was also effective throwing the football, leading the Dons to much success.
Frost is the type of kid you build a team around: Mr. Do-It-All who puts in the work and is rewarded with accolades and honors.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Cade Tenold Cade Tenold 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Don Bosco | 2022 IA , Don Bosco (2022); Carter Allen, New London (2022); Joey Schramm, Audubon (2022)
The three defensive line selections are much like those from the offensive line, as the position is unique in eight-player. But as juniors, Cade Tenold Cade Tenold 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Don Bosco | 2022 IA , Carter Allen and Joey Schramm showed that they are big-time players.
Linebackers
Jack Franey, Martensdale-St. Mary’s (2021); Seth Malcom Seth Malcom 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Fremont Mills | 2021 IA , Fremont-Mills (2021); Jared Hoodjer, Janesville (2022)
When you look at the resumes of these three players, you cannot help but be impressed. Jack Franey scored over 50 TDs and was a force out of the linebacker spot; Seth Malcom Seth Malcom 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Fremont Mills | 2021 IA has been so incredible that Nebraska wants him to come play for them; and all Jared Hoodjer did was lead eight-player with 134 total tackles.
Look for Hoodjer to follow in the footsteps of Franey (Central College) and Malcom by racking up the offers in the coming year. He is the total package as a football prospect.
Secondary
Blaise Porter, New London (2023); Jake Malcom, Fremont-Mills (2022); Gavin Smith, Audubon (2022)
All three members of the secondary easily could have landed on the offensive team. Blaise Porter and Jake Malcom each picked off nine passes, with Porter returning three for scores. Smith had four picks on the year.
With youth on the side of all three selections, it will be interesting to see the progression they make moving forward. All three definitely have the skills to reach the college level for football.
Utility
Layne Pryor Layne Pryor 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Woodbine | 2021 IA , Woodbine (2021)
Along with being a key piece of the Woodbine offense, Layne Pryor Layne Pryor 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Woodbine | 2021 IA was constantly all over the field on defense. The senior and future UNI Panther made 97 tackles including 15 for loss with six sacks.
Pryor is an incredible find for the Panthers, checking in at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 230 pounds. He has a bright, bright future ahead of him at the next level.
SPECIALISTS
Kicker/Punter
Owen Cook, Montezuma (2022); Augustin McNeill, East Union (2021)
Montezuma could count on Owen Cook to convert all those extra-point attempts, as the sophomore made 50 along with three field goals. Augustin McNeill averaged an eight-player best 40.2 yards per punt on 22 attempts.