A new season and a new district cycle sees a new District 1 in Class 3A, which looks more similar to the former Class 4A, District 1 Webster City was apart of in 2021 and 2022. Familiar rivals such as Algona and Humboldt make up half of the district, while the other half brings in Northwest Iowa foes such as Bishop Heelan, MOC-Floyd Valley and Sioux Center.
Webster City
Year 1 of the Andy Brim era for Webster City didn’t bring immediate results, but the Lynx did show a lot of promise with how well they handled the best of the Class 3A, District 2, holding 2nd half leads on Clear Lake, Algona and Humboldt. Aiden Hrnicek and Jaxon Griffith are the big names returning in the backfield, as the offensive line has 3 big returners after numerous seasons where the Lynx had to replace the entire offensive line, as Cole and Beau Nohrenberg and Eli Estlund provide important building blocks.
Defensively, the Lynx bring back a lot of production including the aforementioned Aiden Hrnicek and Jaxon Griffith, as Griffith led the team with 56.5 tackles and Hrnicek finished 2nd with 52.5 tackles. The defensive line loses some explosiveness with Jayden Weinzetl’s graduation, but Eli Estlund and Beau Nohrenberg provide stiff resistance in the interior. The linebacking core anchored by Hrnicek will need some new faces to step up, one to watch is junior Kaleb Hansen, as the defensive backfield returns a plethora of experience, including Griffith, Carter Mickelson, Dawson Bertran and Gavin Wynkoop.
Algona
2024 was a year of lofty expectations for Algona, some of which were thought to go out the window when the Bulldogs lost all-state quarterback Alex Manske to an elbow injury. However, younger brother Nathan Manske not only filled the void, he excelled in leading the Bulldogs to the 3A quarterfinals. He will bring back a slew of weapons, including 800-yard rusher William Weichert and 700-yard receiver in Evan Allie. Tyson VanDeWalle and Tate Garman will also play a more prominent role in the passing game. The offensive line does lose tight end Jack Limbaugh and Aiden Ulrich, but restock with player such as Will Limbaugh, Mason Ulrich, Brody Shipler and Max Nevitt.
Defensively, the Bulldogs lose 3 of their top 5 tacklers, but return key pieces in linebacker Taevyn Zinnel and defensive backs Evan Allie and Tate Garman. Zinnel will lead an otherwise green linebacking core that will break in the likes of Tyson VanDeWalle, Tayten Rummel and Brody Shipler. The defensive backfield is led by the aforementioned Allie and Garman, as Allie led the team with 5 picks and 2 pick sixes, as Tate Garman had 2 picks and a pick six as well. William Weichert managed to grab a couple picks last season in spare time, while it’s likely someone will need to replace Nathan Manske who will now be the full-time quarterback. The defensive line has high-upside as well with Will Limbaugh, Foster Myhre and Mason Ulrich amongst others.
Humboldt
A team I labeled a sleeper last season paid off as Humboldt made it to their first state title game since winning a championship in 2006. Though the Wildcats fell short to Dubuque Wahlert, the momentum for the Wildcats program is as strong as ever. Replacing quarterback Coen Matson is item number one on the agenda, and Jackson Flaherty is in line to take over as a senior. He will have a couple of good running backs next to him in leading-rusher Cash McIntire and 2nd leading-rusher Jaxson Kirchoff. The Wildcats return 2 of their top 4 receivers in Chase Flaherty, who had 800 yards and 9 touchdowns, as well as junior Valley Davis, who had nearly 500 yards and 7 touchdowns in a breakout season for the junior. The offensive line will be another year stronger with the likes of Jack Guy, Cael Donahe, Griffin Groat and Broedy Hendricks.
Defensively, the Wildcats bring back a ton of production from one of the top units in all of Class 3A in 2024. It starts up front for Humboldt as Broedy Hendricks is one of the best edge prospects in all of 3A, amassing 66 tackles, 16.5 TFL and 5 sacks in 2024. Jack Guy and Syler Brown provide veteran presence on the defensive line as well, while Cael Donahe will anchor an otherwise brand-new linebacking core. The defensive backfield will be anchored by returners in Jackson Flaherty, who led Humboldt with 5 interceptions, and Zane McIntire.
Bishop Heelan
Following a period of decline for the Crusaders, one of northwest Iowa’s most dominant programs has found it’s stride once more over the past number of years. From 0-9 in 2021, to 2-7 in 2022, 11-2 in 2023 and 6-4 a year ago, the Crusaders are loading up for another big run in 2025. Leading the Crusaders offense is junior running back and Iowa commit Kasen Thomas, who rushed for over 1,800 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2024. Quarterback Noah Conley is back after throwing for just under 700 yards and 5 touchdowns, and brings back receivers Anthony White and Caden Lester. The big question offensive for Heelan is the offensive line, which as a unit graduated 5 athletes from the position group in 2024.
Defensively, the aforementioned Kasen Thomas is the heartbeat at linebacker, collecting 44.5 tackles, 15.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks last season, while also picking off a pair of passes. Zach Harpeneau is also back at linebacker, finishing 2024 as the Crusaders leading tackler with 50 tackles. The defensive backfield will be led by Caden Lester and Luke Fischer, while Anthony White and Grant Whitcomb are two players that could see expanded roles in the secondary. The defensive line, similar to the offensive line, is a big question mark, although Max Aesoph is the leading returner with 15 tackles and 2 TFL.
MOC-Floyd Valley
The Dutchmen put together their 2nd playoff appearance in 3 years in 2024, highlighted by an upset win over Bishop Heelan in the regular season finale. The Dutchmen will need to replace quarterback Blake Aalbers and leading receiver Ahman Langton, but bring back some big contributors in the rushing game in Kaleb Koerselman, who ran for 424 yards and 7 touchdowns, and Dylan Maasdam, who ran for 673 yards and 8 touchdowns. Koerselman and Maasdam were also big components to the passing game, with 348 yards and 320 yards receiving each. Cole Pottebaum and Carter Brightwell are also back to help bring along the next QB, which appears to be a battle between Ryan Boone, Carson Carmichael and Trycen Groendyke. The offensive line will also bring back a handful of starters, including Draeden Punt and Kaiden Recker.
Defensively, it’s a bit of a rebuild for the Dutchmen, losing 6 of their top 8 tacklers from 2024. Kaleb Koerselman will shoulder the responsibility of anchoring a linebacking core that will be a green one. The defensive line will have some beef back with Draeden Punt and Kaiden Recker, as Dylan Maasdam and Carter Brightwell are the two leaders back in the MOC-Floyd Valley secondary.
Sioux Center
After a 9-2 season with a district title and quarterfinal appearance in 2023, Sioux Center fell back to earth with a 1-8 campaign in 2024. The Warriors would see different positions battle throughout the season, and the quarterback spot does seem to be settles with junior Ezra Hibma looking to take full control after throwing for 476 yards and 2 touchdowns a season ago. He will have a couple of experienced backs behind him in sophomore Joseph Molina and senior Cody Sandbulte, but a receiving core that will be almost brand new, sans returnee Austin Fink. The offensive line will appear to be another year old, with most of the 2024 unit back for 2025.
Defensively, the Warriors return a good amount of production on defense, including leading-tackler Cody Sandbulte, who along with Jake Lane and Brendan Lamfers, will anchor a veteran linebacking core. Jace Bradshaw will lead a relatively young defensive line group, while Joseph Molina and Tate Swagger are the top producers back from the secondary in 2024.
Quinn’s Class 3A, District 1 Prediction
1. Bishop Heelan
2. Algona
3. Humboldt
4. Webster City
5. MOC-Floyd Valley
6. Sioux Center
Full transparency, I think you could shuffle 1 through 4 in these predictions and I would listen and probably agree with the arguments made. Kasen Thomas is a one-man, two-way wrecking ball that could carry the Crusaders to a district title, but Algona and Humboldt have many pieces back from highly successful teams in 2024. Webster City could surprise some people with what they have returning, also possessing a challenging non-district slate. MOC-Floyd Valley and Sioux Center could be solid teams, but some questions need to be answered before further assessment.