Class 1A, District 2 held the title of being the most parity-friendly district in Class 1A. Not many people knew how the district would play and who could possibly grab the district championship and the 4 playoff spots.
In 2024, the district seems to have a clear-cut favorite in the historic power Emmetsburg E-Hawks. After that? It’s still in anyone’s guess in Class 1A, District 2.
Eagle Grove
After an 0-9 campaign in 2023, the word “hungry” is one that head coach Logan Willard used to describe his team coming into 2024. The Eagles will have plenty of opportunity’s to show their hunger and improvement with many pieces back in 2024. The quarterback job is an open battle between Adrian Whipple and Brett Ascherl, while fullback appears to be Trenton Robinson’s spot to lose. The running back room has good talent with junior Leelan Spencer, as well as unproven talents in Josh Miller and Arturo Reyna Salazar. The offensive line will be a big one, anchored by the likes of Jesus Baez and James Harle, as well as undersized go-getters like Reece Demuth.
Defensively, the Eagles return a lot of talent, including an experienced linebacker core of Kaden Dalton and Hayden Schafer, as well as experienced defensive linemen in Jesus Baez, Reece Demuth, Andrew Robinson, Connor Willard and Trenton Robinson. The defensive back room also brings back a number of guys with playing experience like Jaxon Morris, Leelan Spencer and Brett Ascherl.
Emmetsburg
2023 was a return to yesteryear of sorts for one of the perennial powers in Iowa High School Football. Emmetsburg put together their best season since an 11-2 mark in 2012, and are poised to build off their district title in 2023. The E-Hawks return a plethora of experience on offense, starting with junior quarterback Gavin Swanson, who had over 800 yards of total offense and 13 touchdowns in 2023. Leading rusher Jace Nelson-Brown is gone, but Carson Baak returns after rushing for neaarly 700 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Brayden Yates ran for over 300 yards. The receiving core returns its top yardage leaders in Byron Maina and Jacob Fiene, while the offensive line brings back a nymber of starters, including seniors Justin Wirtz, Collyn Trembly and Tyler Albrant.
Defensively, it starts with the linebacking core the E-Hawks, led by a stout group of Carson Baack, Justin Wirtz and Bradyen Yates, who combined for over 125 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Up front, defensive end Ryan Wirtz is looking to build off a sophomore year that saw him accrue 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Jacob Fiene bookends the other side of the d-line, as he had 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The E-Hawks defensive backfield might be one of 1A’s best, as 17 of their 18 interceptions ae back, as Cameron Madden and Gavin Swanson led the unit in 2023.
East Sac County
On paper, 2024 appears to be a rebuilding year for the Raiders of East Sac County, after a 4-5 campaign in 2023 and playoff appearance. Quarterback Tate Lahr is gone to graduation, as the spot is completely up for grabs in 2024. Leading rusher Landon Grindle is back after running for over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2023, while the receiving core will be inexperienced with the graduation of Charlie Veit and Bradyn Burns. The offensive line will need to replace a number of pieces, including Luke Wernimont, Brett Thayer, William Smith and Kaydon Erpelding.
Defensively, the losses appear just a great for the Raiders. The linebacking core loses their leading tacklers in Karter Ludwig and Luke Wernimont, look for Sam Julin and Landon Grindle to step into those roles. The defensive line will see some new faces in players such as Kale Snyder, Dakota King and Tyler Renze come into the fold. Jack Gullett and Asher Lawler return some key experience in the defensive backfield, and sophomore Carson Schmitt could be poised for a good sophomore season.
Pocahontas Area
Much like East Sac, Pocahontas Area is in for a rebuild in 2024 after a playoff appearance in 2023. Quarterback Lucas Kopriva is gone after throwing for nearly 900 yards and 10 touchdowns, sophomore Brayden Hudson and junior Christian Valenzuela will battle for the starting job in 2024. The receiver room loses yards leader Blake Roberts, who had 334 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2023, while Gabe Ehn is back after catching 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. The running back group will likely be starting from scratch, with the loss of rushing leaders Ryan Sommerlot and Ryan Panbecker. The offensive line will see some big losses, including Ethan Behrens and Carter Frerk.
Defensively, the Indians replace a high-amount of production as well. Carter Frerk is gone off the defensive line, but senior Trevor Stuhrenberg could be in for a breakout season after 33.5 tackles in 2023. The linebacker core will break in a nearly-brand new group, as Carson Bunda and Gabe Ehn are back, and provide a good nucleus to build off of. The defensive backfield will be a completely brand new group in 2024 for Pocahontas Area.
Sioux Central
The Rebels of Sioux Central had their opportunities to make the playoffs down the stretch, but couldn’t complete said chances in the final 2 weeks. Fortunately for the Rebels, there’s a good nucleus returning, including quarterback Owen Mills. Mills didn’t throw much, but ran for over 300 yards in 2023. The running back room will lose it’s leading rushers in Max Adams and Devyn Wilson, watch for players such as Hunter Cooper, Kinnick Fahrenkrog and Michael Buettner to step up in a big way in the backfield. The offensive line loses some talented players in Jacob Gunderson, Tate Axdahl and Kadin Wood, but players such as Jordan Livermore, Tanner Deuschle and Isaac Guillen provide a solid group to build the Rebels front around.
On defense, the Rebels lose leading tackler Max Adams, who recorded 102.5 tackles in 2023. Kinnick Fahrenkrog is back after 69 tackles in 2023, and provides a great bell cow for a young, yet talented linebacker group. The defensive line group has to replace the seniors mentioned above on the offensive line, but Koen Glover provides a good rock for a relatively new batch of stoppers on the line. The defensive backfield returns a good amount of experience in Owen Mills and Hunter Cooper leading the pack.
Manson-Northwest Webster
The Cougars of Manson-Northwest Webster were able to sneak into the playoffs with a 3-5 record in 2023 before bowing out to Dike-New Hartford in the 1st round. The Cougars bring back senior quarterback Logan Moline, who threw for nearly 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023. Moline’s top receiver is gone in Caydin Anderson, but junior Matt Condon provides a reliable #1 target after 410 yards and 3 touchdowns on 26 catches. The rushing attack could be a key one for the Cougars, returning leading rushers Kamden Birkey and Cooper Harman, who combined for over 700 yards and 7 touchdowns. A majority of the offensive line is back, including senior Grant Pohlman, junior Carter Van Waes and sophomore Jagger Wolfe.
Defensively, the Cougars may have the saltiest defense returning in 2024, led by leading tackle Kamden Birkey. Birkey leads a veteran linebacker group that includes Cooper Harman, Carter Van Waes and Grayson Klocko. The defensive line returns it’s bell cow in senior Grant Pohlman, while players such as Aiden Nelson, Jagger Wolfe and Colton Zinnel step into bigger roles up front. The defensive backfield will need some new players to step up following the departure of Caydin Anderson and Tateum Hanson, but Matt Condon, Mason Anderson and Logan Moline bring back plenty of experience.
District Projections
1. Emmetsburg
2. Manson-Northwest Webster
3. Eagle Grove
4. Sioux Central
5. Pocahontas Area
6. East Sac County
Emmetsburg could be a sneaky pick to make a run to the UNI Dome with the experience returning off a district title team. Manson-Northwest Webster and Eagle Grove brings back mass amounts of experience from 2023, while Pocahontas Area and East Sac County are looking a system reset in 2024.