Class 2A, District 8 was seen as perhaps the most intriguing district in the 2A. Carroll Kuemper emerged as district champion, but Roland-Story, Des Moines Christian and Southeast Valley all proved they were not to be taken lightly. The same is now the case as we enter the 2024 season.
Roland-Story
2023 saw Roland-Story win their most games (8) and host a home playoff game for the first time since 2008. The offense has found its identity, and has a leader in senior quarterback Sam Knoll, who threw for nearly 800 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2023, while also being a valuable weapon on special teams. Hesston Johnson departs the running back room, but sophomore Fiston Carlson has sky-high potential. Jonovan Wilkinson was a Swiss Army Knife, and Ben Mazyck could be someone that can fill that role, while the rest of the receiving room is more on the green side. The offensive line loses some cornerstones in Jake Jennings, Christian Chelsvig and Aaron Peyton, but there is still plenty of veterans back in 2024.
Defensively, up front will be a strength for the Norsemen with the return of Roland Yates, Fiston Carlson, as well as Tristan Peterson and Wes Hansen. The linebacker core loses some stars in Hesston Johnson and Christian Chelsvig, but senior Charlie Watts is one of the best linebackers in Class 2A, and will be joined by Garrett Nerem and Cael Vermeer. The defensive backfield brings back leaders in Cody Long and Hesston McIlrath, while Jake Berggren, Tristen Crabbs and Aron Hampton will compete for other spots.
Carroll Kuemper
Kuemper football has seen return to the days of old with back-to-back district titles with 1A district title in 2022 and a 2A district title last season. Brock Badding took over quarterback duties with DJ Vonnahme moving to receiver, as the sophomore threw for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. Badding will need to break in a new receiving core after losing Michael Kasperbauer, Benjamin Gerken and DJ Vonnahme. The running back room loses leading rusher Kaesin Pierce, but senior Carson Kanne is back to try and shoulder the load on the ground. The offensive line is a mixed bag, losing seniors in Jacob Haubrich, Kyle Sundrup and Bryce Wiskus, but do return Coby Pierce and Tate Bieret.
Defensively, Coby Pierce leads the defensive line room in 2024 after 35 tackles, 2 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, and players such as Lucas Diehl and Shawn Wittrock will look to step into bigger roles. Leading tackler Kent Sanders is back at linebacker in 2024 after 81 tackles in 2023, Tate Bieret also joins Sanders in the 2nd level, giving the Knights some hard-hitters in the middle. The defensive backfield will be a green one, with the only returning starter in senior Carson Kanne.
Southeast Valley
It’s been a lengthier rebuild than the Jaguars may have wanted since their 2021 2A State Championship, but Southeast Valley may have the horse to once again compete for a district title in 2024. The Jaguars return quarterback Cale Vansickle, who threw for over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also rushing for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. Backfield mate Brady Hanson is back at running back, after rushing for over 750 yards and 11 touchdowns, and the two promise to make a dynamic backfield. The receiving core will be a fairly green one, but sophomore Logan Jaeschke is poised for big season after 21 receptions as a freshman. The offensive line will have experience returning in Nathan Graves, Ryan Wicklein, Grant Farnham and Aden Jepsen.
Defensively, the secondary is a stout one for the Jaguars with Brady Hanson, Cale Vansickle and Logan Jaeschke back, as Hanson and Jaeschke recorded 3 interceptions each last year. The linebacking core returns a veteran leader in junior Drew Temple, while inexperienced players such as Lenix Albee and Aden Jespen will be on the shortlist of new starters. The defensive line is also a strong point with the return of seniors Nathan Graves and Preston Kennedy.
Des Moines Christian
The Lions of DMC have found themselves an identity of a high-flying offense in recent years and 2024 appears to be no exception. Last year’s quarterback in Tate Platte is off to Drake, and Max Town appears to be the next talented passer for the Lions. He will bring back running back Wyatt O’Dell, but the Lions aren’t much for running the football. The receiving core is a talented and veteran one for Des Moines Christian, with Jake Kistenmacher, John Doohen and Tyler Drefke all back, combining for nearly 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. The offensive line will be a more veteran group in 2024 as well.
Defensively, the linebacker room appears to be the Lions heartbeat on defense, returning starters in Caleb Bailey, Landon Mumm, Jace Fadden and leading tackler Kyle Friend. The defensive backfield also brings back some proven talent in Max Town, Jake Kistenmacher and Shayden Rains. The Lions defensive line will need to be better, as they were gashed up front by the likes of Carroll Kuemper and Roland-Story.
Greene County
With high expectations coming into 2023, the season wound up a disappointment for the Rams, missing the playoffs for the 1st time since 2017. The Rams now have some big roles to fill, starting at quarterback with the departure of Gabe Ebersole, as sophomore Zack Stalder appears in line to take over the spot. The running back room will be a strong one, with Nick Stream and Camden Strenne back after combining for nearly 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. The receiving room loses a star in Jack Hansen as well as Trey Schilling, but and tight end Kendall Freeman is in line to lead the Rams receiving game. The offensive line is a mixed bag with the loss of Noah Cornell and Michael Rumley, but Rafe Michaelsen, Bryce Habben and Kamden Kinne are back.
Defensively, the back seven will be the Rams strength with the return of Nick Stream, Camden Strennen and Broc Stream in the defensive backfield. Sophomore Chris Daugherty led the Rams in tackles as a freshman linebacker. The defensive line will be a rebuild after the graduations of Jackson Turner, Noah Cornell and Michael Rumley.
Saydel
Saydel football took a step in the right direction in 2023, winning their first game in over 2 seasons with a 35-18 win over East Marshall in Week 2. The Eagles are looking to build their program brick-by-brick, and have some veterans ready to lead, beginning with quarterback AJ Ollin, who threw for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Ollin returns backfield mate Jimmie Bridges, who rushed for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown. The receiving room returns all their production, including juniors Chase Sharp and Landen Soma, as well as seniors Ryan VanHouten, Trevor Goode and Sadler Gruber. The offensive line brings most everyone back, where another offseason should help strengthen the Eagles interior.
Defensively, Nick Embry and Damion Nowman led the Eagles front last year, combining for 14.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks. The linebacking core returns a majority of it’s production in leading-tackler Grady Godwin, as well as Parker Swafford, Jimmie Bridges and Ryan VanHouten. The defensive backfield is headlined by returners such as Chase Sharp and AJ Ollin.
District Projections
1. Carroll Kuemper
2. Roland-Story
3. Southeast Valley
4. Des Moines Christian
5. Greene County
6. Saydel
This district could be more competitive overall, factoring in Kuemper’s losses and Saydel’s numerous returnees. There’s scenarios where I could see all of the top 3 teams in Kuemper, Roland-Story and Southeast Valley coming away with the district title. Des Moines Christian’s passing attack should be enough to get them back to the postseason.