A brand new Class 2A, District 4 is lined up for 2025 and 2026, with none of the teams from the 2023-24 cycle staying put for the new 2-year cycle (Anamosa, Northeast, West Liberty, Monticello, Tipton, Camanche). But a new district brings some intriguing matchups, especially in year 1.
Roland-Story
After back-to-back district runner-up finishes, Roland-Story football is looking to take the next step and capture the program’s first district title since 2008. It will be a new quarterback at the helm, but it’s a 3-way battle between Hayden Janssen, Colin Willis and Tucker Hawkins, but whoever takes snaps will have a loaded running back and receiver room to work with. Ben Mazyck is back after leading the Norsemen with over 600 yards on the ground, while Fiston Carlson might be 2A’s best-kept secret in terms of an explosive athlete. The receiving room is full of returnees, including Luke Thoreson, Aiden Frey, Logan Smith and Blake Larson. The offensive line will be a brand new group, but has talent and athleticism between players such as Gavin Jeter, Chance Georgius, Blake Nelsen, Roman Stotts and others.
Defensively, the Norsemen posses one of the best secondary’s in Class 2A, led by safety Cody Long, who had a team-high 60.5 tackles and 2 picks last season. Long is joined by Ben Mazyck, Luke Thoreson, Aiden Frey and Blake Larson in the back end. The linebacking core will need a couple new faces to join lone returnee Carter Barber, but names such as Cael Vermeer, Tucker Hawkins and Kaevon Woods are ones to watch. The defensive line will be new from a starters perspective, but Jake Rogers and Gavin Jeter bring varsity experience from last season.
Dike-New Hartford
Another banner year in 2024 for Don Betts and Dike-New Hartford saw the Wolverines finish as runners-up in Class 1A with an 11-2 record. A new season and a change in class also sees a very new look for the Wolverines in 2025. Peyton Pokorny is in line to take over the starting quarterback role, while Devlin Davis will likely take over the running back role, replacing 1,700-yard rusher Noah Borcherding. The receiving core will be brad new, as Jaiden Soppe is the top producer returning, catching just 6 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in 2024. The offensive line will have a couple veterans stepping up in Dawson Dietrick and Lane Girsch, but it will be a green position group otherwise.
Defensively, it’s a total overhaul of talent from last season, as the Wolverines graduate their top 10 tacklers from 2024. The defensive line has the most experience returning, between seniors Dawson Dietrick and Lane Girsch, as the 2 combined for 28.5 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks. Devlin Davis and Gavin Gerbracht are two names to watch to step in and play linebacker, while the defensive backfield loses all of their 20 interceptions recorded from 2024.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL
After a 4-year stint in Class 3A, Hampton-Dumont-CAL drops back down to Class 2A and in a district where the Bulldogs might be able to do some damage. Quarterback Ryder Strother is back after throwing for just 412 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2024, but he could have a breakout target in junior tight end Brady Harr, who caught a pair of touchdowns last season, while top wide receiver Brody Strother is also back. Sophomore Jacob Mahler has a good chance of being the starting running back, while the offensive line has some key pieces back, including seniors Maddon Evans and Tristen Mulford.
Defensively, the Bulldogs will need to replace two highly-productive linebackers in Taylor Mahler and Colin Bird, as Jacob Mahler and Lukas Showalter are two names to watch, while perhaps a DB could also step into play a linebacker role. The defensive line has a chance to be a good one, as Brady Harr showed flashes of dominance as a sophomore, and will be joined by Maddon Evans and Tristen Mulford up front. The defensive backfield is an area of experience with starters Aaden Keehn, Carter Arends, Caden Woods, with Ryder and Brody Strother back too.
Denver
One of the more consistent small school programs in Northeast Iowa, the Denver Cyclones took a step back in 2024 with a very young squad, but a rise in classification could lead to more success in 2025. Quarterback Jackson Joerger is back after a promising sophomore campaign, throwing for 1,646 yards and 14 touchdowns, as Joerger’s top target will be senior Jackson Schoville, who caught 34 balls for 526 yards and 2 scores in 2024. Brayton Hovey and Carter Lanus are two others to watch in the receiving core, as Schoville also spent time running the football a season ago with 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. The offensive line loses a corner stone in senior Corbin Hill, otherwise the group will have another offseason of work to have improved.
On the flip side, the Cyclones defense appears to be led by a young and talented defensive line, a defensive end Will Lockhart tallied 37 tackles, 11 TFL and 2.5 sacks in 2024, while Donovan Farrell added 23 tackles, 3 TFL and a sack as well. The linebacking core will be anchored senior Jackson Schoville, who finished 2nd on the team with 46.5 tackles a year ago, where he will be joined by sophomore Carter Lanus as well as Colin Knowles and Jeb Ebaugh. The defensive backfield will be young, but returns their interceptions leader in cornerback Brayton Hovey, who picked off 3 passes and tallied 16.5 tackles in 2024.
Vinton-Shellsburg
An 0-9 season in 2024 was not what Joe Hadachek’s squad wanted to accomplish in his first season at Vinton-Shellsburg, but a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2005 has to start somewhere. The Vikings return their starting quarterback in Colt Koeppen, who threw for nearly 1,100 yards and 4 touchdowns, but will try to cut down on the number of interceptions after throwing 12 in 2024. Koeppen does bring back 3 of his top 4 favorite targets, including senior Jacoby Johnson, who caught 49 passes for 523 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Isaiah Schneider is back after rushing for over 300 yards and 2 scores, while accumulating 166 receiving yards and 2 more scores.
Defensively, the Vikings return a large percentage of their production in 2024, including their leading tackler in senior defensive back Jacoby Johnson. Vinton-Shellsburg returns most of their starting defensive backfield with Tate Druschel and Ben McGowan as well. The Vikings linebacking core is all back from 2024 with the quartet of Reagan Salger, Nile Davis, Jakob Becker and Colson Chvala, as Chvala led the group with 40 tackles last season. The defensive line will be anchored by two juniors in Braden King and Trevor Harvey, and 2 seniors in Kaden Kerkman and Cooper McClintock.
Oelwein
2024 was a tough year for the Oelwein football program, as Huskies weren’t able to finish their schedule due to injuries and low roster numbers. Turning the page to 2025, the Huskies do have varsity experience returning, beginning with senior quarterback Maddox Pattison, who threw for 554 yards and 6 touchdowns, and also will have running back Bryce Kunkle back as well. Pattison will need to replace top receiver Hayden Rummel, but brother Brendan Pattison and senior Hayden Tripp are two that can lead the receiving room. The offensive line will bring back a few building blocks in juniors Alex Holden and Parker Kuennen, as well as senior Spencer Michels.
On defense, the Huskies lose their top tackler in senior Ethan Anderson, as the linebacking core will be on the greener side with the likes of Bryce Kunkle, Tyler Lucas and Noah Williams. The defensive line will have some size with players like Spencer Michels, Zach Kalb and Parker Kuennen, while Brendan Pattison could add some explosiveness off the edge. Maddox Pattison and Aaron Burkhart are two to watch as leaders for the Huskies secondary.
Quinn’s Class 2A, District 4 Prediction
1. Roland-Story
2. Hampton-Dumont-CAL
3. Dike-New Hartford
4. Denver
5. Vinton-Shellsburg
6. Oelwein
2025 is the year Roland-Story finally captures the elusive district title behind an explosive running back and wide receiver room, as well as fast and punishing defense. Hampton-Dumont-CAL might surprise some at runner-up, but they bring back some key pieces that have played in 3A the last few years. Dike-New Hartford loses all kinds of production, but expect Hall-of-Fame coach Don Betts to still develop kids who win, as Denver eeks past Vinton-Shellsburg for the final playoff spot.