A season after being dubbed the “Group of Death” in Iowa High School Football, Class 3A, District 2 appears to be reloading for another monster slate headlined by a pair of state title contenders at the top of the preseason prognostications in 2024.
Webster City
It’s a new era for Lynx football as Andy Brim is the new leader of the Webster City program. But, as much as things change, things stay the same for Webster City football, keeping their identity of a power run, single wing football team. The glaring loss is two-time all-state running back Jaxon Cherry, which is a giant void to fill literally and figuratively. Cael Nixon is the leader to take over the tailback spot, while Jayden Weinzetl could see his share of carries as well. Jaxon Griffith is the favorite to replace Keegan Hisler at spinner back, while wingback Luke Estlund is poised for a big senior season. The offensive line loses a lot of veteran leadership, but Cole and Beau Nohrenberg appear ready to anchor a young offensive line.
Defensively, the departures of Cherry and Hisler will hurt Webster City, however, Jayden Weinzetl is ready to be the heart and soul of an always fast and opportunistic Lynx defense. Cael Nixon returns at linebacker, and the defensive backfield is an experienced one with Carson Bertran, Luke Estlund and Aiden Hrnicek. The defensive line returns starters in Beau Nohrenberg and Tristan Mason, and could see a number of players try to fill the 3rd defensive line spot.
Algona
One of the 2 preseason darlings of prognosticators to not only make a run at a district title, but a 3A State Title, Algona football is loading up for a historic run. The Bulldogs are headlined by Iowa State-commit quarterback Alex Manske, who threw for nearly 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for another 714 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. Evan Allie returns in the backfield to give the Bulldogs dynamic ground attack, as he rushed for 744 yards and 7 touchdowns. The receiving core will need to find some depth following the loss of Porter Reffer and Jayden Erpelding, but Tate Slagle and tight end Jack Limbaugh are ready to lead the attack, while Evan Allie is also a threat out of the backfield.
Defensively, the Bulldogs return 3 of their top 4 tacklers in Tate Slagle (58), Landon Thompson (55.5) and Alex Manske (39.5) for a defense looking to shore up some things from 2023. Jack Limbaugh will be a force on the defensive line, as he led the unit with 3 sacks a year ago, along with 33 tackles. Aiden Ulrich is also a key returnee on the defensive line with 30.5 tackles and 4 TFL in 2023. Slagle returns to lead the DB room, recording 4 interceptions in 2023, while senior Devin Larsen also recorded 4 interceptions last season as well.
Clear Lake
The 2nd of the two preseason darlings, Clear Lake is fresh off a return to glory that was accomplished in 2023. The Lions won their first district title since 2019 with one of the most talented teams in Class 3A. Thomas Meyer is the big name, as the Iowa-commit caught 25 balls for 407 yards and 8 touchdowns and will be a key part in breaking a new quarterback in sophomore Jaxson McIntire. Fortunately for McIntire, he will have a bell cow in the backfield to help him in senior Titan Schmitt, who ran for over 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. Sophomore Sam Dodge also added 500 more yards on the ground, while also catching 9 passes for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns.
On the other side, the Lions will need to replace their top 2 tacklers in linebacker Aidan Hartl and defensive end Jake Trenary. Thomas Meyer will shoulder a lot of responsibility at defensive end after a productive junior season, while the linebacking core returns Gage Larson, while Jordan Ainley will see a bigger role as a senior. The defensive line will also return contributors such as Henry Bunn and Lincoln Allsbrook, while the defensive backfield returns a plethora of experience in Sam Dodge, Tyler LeFever, Dylan Litzel and Luke Fuhrman.
Humboldt
Despite taking a step back in 2023, Humboldt still managed to grab a playoff bid and build valuable experience for a team that returns many key players in 2024 and could be a sleeper in District 2. Coen Matson is ready to take the next step at quarterback after throwing for over 1,000 yards and 5 touchdowns, while rushing for another 488 yards and 5 touchdowns. Matson will need a new backfield mate after the departure of Lance Coon, who rushed for over 500 yards in his injury-shortened senior season. Humboldt does return some depth at receiver in Mason Van Pelt and Jackson Dodd. Humboldt does return veterans along the offensive line as well.
Defensively, the back seven graduates a lot of talent, but returns a good batch of talent as well. Keegan Groat will look to be a leader at linebacker, leading the Wildcats in tackles (63) and tackles for loss (12) as a junior. Trey Al-Hameed will see his role as a linebacker expand, as will sophomore Cael Donahe. The defensive backfield returns a big producer in Mason Van Pelt, and rising piece in junior Zane McIntire. The defensive line has the potential to be a salty one, with Broedy Hendricks another year stronger, as well as Jack Guy and Syler Brown having another offseason of work.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL
The Bulldogs were the odd man out in the playoff race out of Class 3A, District 2 in 2023, despite one of the more talented teams in recent memory for Hampton-Dumont-CAL. The Bulldogs will look to completely replace their backfield following the graduation of quarterback Gavin Meader and running backs Brody Walton and Karter Janssen. Ryder Strother looks to be in line to step into the quarterback spot, while Taylor Mahler and Colin Bird appear to be ready to take over at running back. HD-CAL also looks to replace their top 2 receivers in Tucker Heeren and Scott Harr, who combined for nearly 600 yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior Austin Hanson is in line to replace Scott Harr at tight end, while Brody Strother, Caden Woods and Trace Brocka are ones to watch to fill in at receiver.
Defensively, the losses are still drastic, but leading tacklers in linebacker Taylor Mahler and defensive back Brody Strother are back. The defensive line graduates all 4 starters, while the linebacking core loses Brody Walton and Karter Janssen while returning Colin Bird and Taylor Mahler. The defensive backfield will have to replace the production of Tucker Heeren and Gavin Meader, but have Brody Strother and Ryder Strother ready to take the reigns of the group.
Charles City
Charles City had the unenviable task of being the low man on the totem pole in the “District of Death” in 2023, but still managing an improved 3-6 record from their 1-8 mark in 2022. Offensively, the Comets are looking to replace quarterback Jordan Foster, running back Isaiah Roe and wide receiver Keenan Wiley. The quarterback race will be a two-horse race between sophomore Patrick Bruening and senior Quinn Heidebrink, while sophomore Deacon Caspers is the leader to take over the #1 running back spot. Kaden Littleton and Kamden Meek look to lead the receiver/tight end room, while the offensive line will have some more turnover.
Defensively, the Comets lose 3 of their top 4 leading tacklers, but junior linebacker Jackson Ruzicka looks to be the bell cow for the Comets defense. Deacon Caspers looks to join Ruzicka in the linebacking core, as well as Kamden Meek. The defensive line will have to replace a majority of its production, but still sees rotational pieces such as Trevor Carolan and Brayden Ellis back. The defensive backfield graduates nearly all its production, but upperclassmen such as Kaden Littleton and Quinn Heidebrink are next in line to pick up the unit.
Quinn’s Class 3A, District 2 Prediction
1. Clear Lake
2. Algona
3. Humboldt
4. Webster City
5. Hampton-Dumont-CAL
6. Charles City
Clear Lake’s overall depth and talent gives them the nod over Algona in my projections, but that’s not to say Alex Manske and company can’t flip the script (they very well can). Humboldt and Webster City could very well flip-flop, but I can very much see 4 teams qualifying for the playoffs from this district, especially when factoring Humboldt and Webster City’s overall strength of schedule.