The previous incarnation of Class 1A, District 7 included today’s preeminent dynasty in Iowa High School Football in the Van Meter Bulldogs, a rising AC/GC program, and promising prospects from West Central Valley and Interstate 35. With the new 1A, District 7, Van Meter and Interstate 35 are now up to 2A, while AC/GC and Panorama have dropped to Class A, leaving West Central Valley and Nodaway Valley as the lone holdovers. South Hamilton and Woodward-Granger come down from District 2, Grandview Christian bypasses Class A in their jump to 11-man football, while Ogden also jumps up from Class A.
South Hamilton
The Hawks come in as the preseason favorites to win 1A-7, behind a potent wishbone rushing attack and a disciplined, punishing defense. South Hamilton returns 2 of their top 3 rushers from 2022 in fullback Noah Gunderson and running back Nick Severseike, as sophomore Kolby Hodenfield has the chance to become a breakout star for the Hawks as well. Senior quarterback Tjerdan Johnson will be protected by a veteran offensive line, and in the rare chances the Hawks have to throw the ball, he’ll look often for tight end Owen Renaud, as well as Landon Sogard and Ryland Ubben.
Defensively, the Hawks return a veteran front seven, spearheaded by defensive end Owen Renaud, as well as linebackers Noah Gunderson and Tjerdan Johnson. Other returning starters also include Kolby Hodnefield, Preston Van De Pol and Owen Duns, while Kaden Schwandt, as well as Graham and Adley Peters will look to step up on the defensive line. The defensive backfield sees the return of Nick Severseike and Landen Greufe, and a high likelihood that Braden Young is next man up to replace Teagan Trask.
Ogden
Ogden moves back up into Class 1A after a 3-year moratorium in Class A, and is welcomed with a district that features some very familiar opponents. It’s also the dawn of a new era for Bulldog football after Jacob Burger stepped down following 9 years as head coach, accumulating a 39-42 record. The new leader for Ogden is former Sheldon head coach Tyler Lloyd, after a 7-year run at his alma mater where he accumulated a 28-34 record, facing the likes of Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, West Lyon and Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley year in and year out.
The Bulldogs return quarterback Colby Rohe, who threw for nearly 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022, as well as running back Quintin Hoskins, who ran for over 800 yards and 9 touchdowns last season. A big challenge for the Bulldogs will be replacing their receiving production with the departures of Jack Christensen, Cael Pearson and Dylan Perdue. Defensively, Ogden returns plenty of production, including 4 of their top 5 leading tacklers, including leading tackler Nathan Comer and rising defensive end Cayden Dudley.
Woodward-Granger
Woodward-Granger comes into 2023 with many new faces following a 2022 season that saw a playoff appearance and a runner-up finish in 1A-2. Cory Crnkovich enters year 3 with his youngest squad since he took over at his alma mater, as he replaces his quarterback, running back and top 2 receivers. The Quarterback battle to replace Carter Moran will appear to come down to senior Bryan Jesse and sophomore Talan Fuson, while Oliver Potter is in line to replace Dylan McCaulley, while Max Dalton is the top returning receiver. The Hawks do return a good chunk of their offensive line in Tanner Ramsey, Dylan Major and Tabor Lettow.
On the defensive side, Woodward-Granger returns the reigning district defensive player of the year in Oliver Potter, who recorded 111.5 tackles as a junior, which was #1 in Class 1A, while also recording 9 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. Outside of Potter, a vast majority of the Hawks leading tacklers from a season ago are gone, which means new faces will have to step up in a hurry to keep Woodward-Granger in contention for the district.
West Central Valley
2022 was the most successful season for the West Central Valley program in a decade, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2012 after a tumultuous stretch for the Wildcats. However, 2023 could be a year of rebuilding for the Wildcats, as they graduate their top 3 offensive weapons Braiden Beane, Blaise Beane and Kaedon Lindsay, who accounted for more 80% of the WCV rushing attack in 2022. Quarterback Nate Gerling is back and will likely shoulder more of the load after throwing for over 500 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022. Jathan Edgington is a name to watch to be a feature back for the Wildcats in 2023.
Defensively, the trio of Kaedon Lindsay, Braiden Beane and Blaise Beane were also the top producers for the Wildcats, as well as Gage Davis and Ayden Phippen. Nate Gerling is the top returning tackler for WCV, while players such as Zach Teague and Jathan Edgington return key varsity experience for the ‘Cats.
Grand View Christian
Grand View Christian pulled off a rare feat in today’s age of Iowa High School Football by not just jumping from 8-man to 11-man football, but by completely bypassing Iowa’s smallest 11-man class in Class A, and going straight from 8-man to Class 1A. The Thunder were 5-4 in their final season in 8-man, and do return some key contributors on both sides as they make the move to the 11-man game. Quarterback Noah John threw for nearly 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns last season while also rushing for over 700 yards and 17 touchdowns. Incoming senior Kaeden Burger was the Thunder’s top running back, tallying 575 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, while also accumulating nearly 400 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Top receiver Colin Woodbury is gone, but junior Austin Jordan is ready to take the WR1 spot.
The Thunder lose top tackler in defensive end Colin Woodbury, but just as he does on the offensive side of the ball, Noah John will be the key cog for the GVC defense, accumulating 51.5 tackles a year ago, with 3.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss as well as 2 fumble recoveries for touchdowns and a team-high 2 interceptions. Drew Ackleson, Malachi Seyler and Gabe Miguez are other top tacklers that are back for GVC as well.
Nodaway Valley
2022 was a tumultuous year for the Nodaway Valley football program. Early in the season, members of the administration attempted to remove head coach Seth Comly, but were overruled by the school board. Despite this, the Wolverines still finished the year 0-8, and Comly tendered his resignation as Ryan Kissell is now at the helm of the Nodaway Valley program. The Wolverines will need to replace quarterback Boston DeVault and leading receiver Avery Phillippi, but do return backs Bradley Gebbie and Titus Hammer. Dax Kintigh appears to be in line to replace DeVault at quarterback.