FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Indians, Pioneers to compete in Class 2A District 2

It’s been several years since Spirit Lake and Okoboji played in the same football district, but the longtime Dickinson County rivals will square off once again this season as they compete in the newly reconfigured Class 2A District 2. The Indians and Pioneers will face Estherville Lincoln Central, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Forest City and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows for district supremacy.

Which team will bring home the title? We’ll find out soon enough.

No. 1 — Spirit Lake (10-1)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Spencer................................................W 27-16
9/2........vs. Forest City..............................................W 47-0
9/9........vs. Western Christian...................................W 35-20
9/16........vs. Pocahontas Area..................................W 47-6
9/23........vs. OABCIG................................................W 28-13
9/30........vs. Estherville Lincoln Central....................W 45-0
10/7........vs. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.........................W 56-21
10/14........vs. Southeast Valley..................................W 24-6
10/21........vs. Sheldon (2A - First Round)..................W 35-7
10/28........vs. Clear Lake (2A - Second Round)........W 43-21
11/4........vs. OABCIG (2A - Quarterfinals).................L 19-0

KEY DEPARTURES: Tyler Voss, Jake Cornwall, Justyn Hamm, Drew Alger, Gabe Poolman
KEY RETURNERS: Evan Beck, Bode Higgins, Owen Lalumendre, Owen Meerbeek, Josiah McQuown

Spirit Lake’s football team put together one of the best seasons in program history last year, winning 10 straight games and a district championship while making a run to the Class 2A quarterfinals. The Indians picked up postseason wins over Sheldon and Clear Lake, but eventually fell to state semifinalist OABCIG on Nov. 4, ending their season with a 10-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in the district.

They should be the early favorites to repeat as district champions, as this year’s squad returns a ton of talent, including Class 2A Second Team All-State selection and Class 2A District 2 Lineman of the Year Evan Beck, and First Team All-District selections Owen Meerbeek, Josiah McQuown, Bode Higgins and Owen Lalumendre.

Beck, Meerbeek and McQuown — along with honorable mention selection Ethan Carlson — will provide the muscle on the line for an offense that will feature the district’s top runner in Higgins. Despite missing several games due to injury, Higgins ran for 966 yards and 16 touchdowns on 144 carries (6.7 yards per carry) as a sophomore. He opened plenty of eyes last season and, if healthy, he should prove to be among the state’s elite running backs in his junior season. William Ditsworth also saw some action at running back last season and showed promise, running for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries (5.7 yards per carry) as a sophomore.

The Indians’ offense will also return starting quarterback Caden Lundt. The 6-3 signal-caller was an honorable mention selection in the district after completing 87 of 165 passes for 1,192 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season.

Who Lundt will throw to is the only question for the offense. Higgins is the only returning player to catch a pass last season. However, there’s no shortage of capable athletes on the Spirit Lake roster. Will Graves and Dylan Stecker were honorable mention selections a year ago, while Ethan Stecker and Joey Andres are also listed as wide receivers on the Indians’ roster — all four athletes contributed primarily on the defensive side of the ball last season.

Defensively, the Indians will be led by Lalumendre, who proved to be an elite player last season. As a junior, Lalumendre led the Indians with 90.5 tackles and added 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks. However, Spirit Lake lost its next eight tacklers to graduation. The Indians will feel the loss of Class 2A First Team All-State selection and Class 2A District 2 Defensive Player of the Year Tyler Voss, and all-district players Jake Cornwall, Justyn Hamm, Drew Alger, Gabe Poolman and Jake Wallin, among others.

Dylan Stecker, Ditsworth, Graves, Andres, Higgins and Beck combined for 115 tackles, 14 sacks, five tackles for loss and six interceptions last season.

Spirit Lake’s special teams unit will also feel the loss of kicker Justyn Hamm and punter Caleb Reuter. Higgins was a dangerous returner last season, averaging 27.6 yards per kickoff return and taking one punt back for a touchdown.

No. 2 — Estherville Lincoln Central (3-6)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Storm Lake.......................................W 35-0
9/2........vs. West Lyon...........................................L 43-14
9/9........vs. Humboldt............................................L 17-0
9/16........vs. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows....................W 27-13
9/23........vs. Southeast Valley...............................W 7-0
9/30........vs. Spirit Lake........................................L 45-0
10/7........vs. OABCIG...........................................L 42-19
10/14........vs. Pocahontas Area...........................L 26-20
10/21........vs. West Lyon (2A - First Round)........L 37-26

KEY DEPARTURES: Braeden Lehmkuhl, Zavion McMurrian, Kyle Quastad, Alexander Sheridan, Logan Nissen
KEY RETURNERS: Owen Larson, Jordan Jensen, Aiden Swanson, Asher Molacek, Yahir Camberos Barajas

The Midgets went 3-6 overall last season, but earned quality wins over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and Southeast Valley, and dropped fairly close games to Humboldt, Pocahontas Area and West Lyon that would have made their overall record much more impressive. They should be a solid team within the district in 2023, despite the loss of Class 2A First Team All-State lineman Braeden Lehmkuhl.

Estherville Lincoln Central’s offense should once again feature one of the better athletes in the state — quarterback Owen Larson. Last season, Larson completed 105 of 214 passes for 1,282 yards, six touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and ran for 472 yards and four touchdowns on 117 carries.

They’ll be without powerful running back Zavion McMurrian, who ran for 10 touchdowns a year ago, and top receiver Collin Cohrs. Aiden Swanson, Yahir Camberos Barajas and Asher Molacek combined for 36 catches for 411 yards and a touchdown last season.

Defensively, the Midgets graduated their four top tacklers in McMurrian, Kyle Quastad, Alexander Sheridan and Logan Nissen. Larson had 35 tackles and four interceptions. Jordan Jensen had 27 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Molacek, Swanson and Barajas combined for 65.6 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions last season.

No. 3 — Forest City (3-6)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Lake Mills................................W 46-6
9/2........vs. Spirit Lake.................................L 47-0
9/9........vs. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.............L 28-6
9/16........vs. Crestwood...............................L 36-21
9/23........vs. Osage......................................L 42-0
9/30........vs. Clear Lake...............................L 35-12
10/7........vs. New Hampton..........................L 28-18
10/14........vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura........W 36-0
10/20........vs. Okoboji...................................W 42-6

KEY DEPARTURES: Kellen Moore, Andy Olson, Robay Birri
KEY RETURNERS: Ty Dillavou, Sam Klaassen, Lucas Kearney, Grant Wooge

Forest City opened the 2022 season with a dominant win over Lake Mills before dropping six straight games. The Indians did end the season with dominant wins over Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and Okoboji to finish the year on a high note, and should ride that moment into this season.

They’ll be without Class 2A First Team All-State player Kellen Moore, who led the team with 98 tackles and four interceptions on defense and caught 31 passes for 471 yards and six touchdowns on offense, as well as top rusher Andy Olson, who ran for 752 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Indians return starting quarterback Ty Dillavou, who completed 85 of 197 passes for 1,008 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions as a sophomore. Sam Klaassen ran for 273 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. Jack Thompson ran for 155 yards and a touchdown and caught 15 passes for 112 yards as a junior.

Defense should be a strength for Forest City. Klassen had 62 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Lucas Kearney had 42 tackles and four tackles for loss as a sophomore. Grant Wooge had 33.5 tackles and three tackles for loss as a junior. Triston Brandsoy had 22.5 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a sophomore. Jaxon Archer and Vinton Feldman each had two interceptions.

No. 4 — Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (5-4)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Eagle Grove................................W 48-20
9/2........vs. Belmond-Klemme.........................W 49-0
9/9........vs. Forest City....................................W 28-6
9/16........vs. Estherville Lincoln Central.........L 27-13
9/23........vs. Pocahontas Area.......................W 17-8
9/30........vs. Southeast Valley........................W 24-8
10/7........vs. Spirit Lake.................................L 56-21
10/14........vs. OABCIG..................................L 30-14
10/21........vs. Osage (2A - First Round)........L 49-15

KEY DEPARTURES: Nevan Foss, Preston Gardner, Ethan Traub, Mack Seaba
KEY RETURNERS: Uli Frias, Diego Gonzalez, Mason Allen

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows was the only team other than Spirit Lake to notch a winning record in 2022. The Cowboys went 5-4 overall, starting the season by winning five of their first six before dropping three straight at the end of the season.

This year, they’ll be without Class 2A Second Team All-State selection Nevan Foss and starting quarterback Preston Gardner. That duo produced 1,795 of the Cowboys’ 2,098 rushing yards a year ago.

Carson Nesheim completed 4 of 11 passes for 47 yards and two interceptions as a junior. Diego Gonzalez rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown on six carries and caught three passes for 41 yards as a junior.

Defensively, the Cowboys will be without top tacklers Ethan Traub.

Uli Frias had 40 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as a junior. Gonzalez had 39.5 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions. Mason Allen had 26 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior.

No. 5 — Okoboji (1-8)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. North Union..........................................L 39-0
9/2........vs. Sibley-Ocheyedan..................................L 15-6
9/9........vs. Manson-NW Webster.............................W 32-0
9/16........vs. Sheldon................................................L 18-0
9/23........vs. Unity Christian......................................L 42-6
9/30........vs. West Lyon.............................................L 49-7
10/7........vs. Cherokee..............................................L 34-28
10/14........vs. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock........L 62-6
10/20........vs. Forest City..........................................L 42-6

KEY DEPARTURES: Logan Duvall, Sam Pas, Aidan Dahms, Christian Gonzalez
KEY RETURNERS: Blaise Elwood, Caden Chapman, Joe Salmon, Jase Jostand

Okoboji struggled throughout the 2022 football season. Injuries plagued the Pioneers and they could never quite find their footing while putting together a 1-8 season in the toughest district in Class 2A — a district that contained undefeated state champion Central Lyon/George-Little Rock and quarterfinalist West Lyon.

This year, in their first year under co-head coaches Eric Clouse and Nick Mulder, the Pioneers will be without First Team All-District selections Logan Duvall, Sam Pas, Aidan Dahms and Christian Gonzalez, as well as honorable mention selections Ethan Schlachter and Tyler Sehman.

Blaise Elwood is the only First Team All-District selection back for Okoboji. Elwood led the Pioneers with 55.5 tackles as a sophomore. Caden Chapman was an honorable mention selection after finishing the year with 21 tackles and six tackles for loss on defense, and rushing for 285 yards and two touchdowns on 84 carries.

The Pioneers also return their leading rusher from last season, Joe Salmon. As a junior, Salmon ran for 411 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries (11.1 yards per carry).

Landon Duvall was slated to start at quarterback as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending injury. He should be under center this year. Jase Jostand was the team’s leading passer last season and will be back as well.

Tallin Wright saw action last year as a sophomore. He ran for 166 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and caught six passes for 73 yards. Tyler Netsch and Nathaniel Franklin contributed on defense.

No. 6 — Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (1-8)

8/26........vs. West Hancock........L 32-8
9/2........vs. Humboldt..................L 37-0
9/9........vs. Algona......................L 34-7
9/16........vs. New Hampton........L 35-0
9/23........vs. Clear Lake.............L 48-8
9/30........vs. Crestwood.............L 44-7
10/7........vs. Osage....................L 33-10
10/14........vs. Forest City...........L 36-0
10/2........vs. Oelwein.................W 34-0

KEY DEPARTURES: A.J. Tusha, Drew Britson, James Cash, Jake Hensen
KEY RETURNERS: Lane Gayken, Lucas Kral, Mason Graham, Parker Moritz, Gage Konz

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura struggled throughout the 2022 season, dropping its first eight games by a combined score of 299-40. The Cardinals did end the season with a win, topping a two-win Oelwein team 34-0 on the road in Week 9.

On offense, the Cardinals return their top passer in Lane Gayken. As a sophomore, Gayken completed 39 of 94 passes for 425 yards, a touchdown and eight interceptions and ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries.

They’ll be without their top runner in A.J. Tusha and top receiver in Drew Briston. Lucas Kral showed some promise as a running back in his sophomore year. Kral ran for 189 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries (7 yards per carry) including a 59-yard run. Mason Graham caught 13 passes for 88 yards as a junior.

Tusha was also the Cardinals’ top tackler last season, but they return several solid defensive players. Parker Moritz had 46.5 tackles, nine tackles for loss and a sack as a sophomore. Gage Konz had 44.5 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore. Andrew Hook had 27 tackles as a junior.

CLASS 2A DISTRICT 2 LEADERS

Passing Touchdowns

1. Caden Lundt (SPL) — 12
2. Ty Dillavou (FOC) — 8
3. Owen Larson (ELC) — 6
4. Carson Nesheim (CGD) — 2
5. Will Graves (SPL) — 1
5. Lane Gayken (GHV) — 1
5. Aiden Hawe (GHV) — 1

Rushing Touchdowns

1. Bode Higgins (SPL) — 16
2. Sam Klaassen (FOC) — 5
3. Owen Larson (ELC) — 4
3. Joe Salmon (OKO) — 4
4. Lucas Kral (GHV) — 3
4. Caden Lundt (SPL) — 3
4. Will Ditsworth (SPL) — 3

Receiving Touchdowns

1. Nathaniel Franklin (OKO) — 1
1. Aiden Swanson (ELC) — 1

Passing Yards

1. Owen Larson (ELC) — 1,282
2. Caden Lundt (SPL) — 1,192
3. Ty Dillavou (FOC) — 1,008
4. Lane Gayken (GHV) — 425
5. Jase Jostand (OKO) — 164

Rushing Yards

1. Bode Higgins (SPL) — 966
2. Owen Larson (ELC) — 472
2. Joe Salmon (OKO) — 411
3. Caden Chapman (OKO) — 285
4. Sam Klaassen (FOC) — 273

Receiving Yards

1. Aiden Swanson (ELC) — 201
2. Jack Thomson (FOC) — 112
3. Bode Higgins (SPL) — 109
4. Yahir Camberos Barajas (ELC) — 108
5. Asher Molacek (ELC) — 102

Tackles

1. Owen Lalumendre (SPL) — 90.5
2. Sam Klaassen (FOC) — 62
3. Blaise Elwood (OKO) — 55.5
4. Parker Moritz (GHV) — 46.5
5. Gage Konz (GHV) — 44.5

Tackles For Loss

1. Owen Lalumendre (SPL) — 20
2. Jordan Jensen (ELC) — 11.5
3. Asher Molacek (ELC) — 9.5
4. Mason Allen (CGD) — 9
4. Parker Mortiz (GHV) — 9

Sacks

1. Owen Lalumendre (SPL) — 7
2. Mason Allen (CGD) — 6
3. Diego Gonzalez (CGD) — 4
3. Jordan Jensen (ELC) — 4
5. Bode Higgins (SPL) — 3
5. Ben Fox (GHV) — 3

Interceptions

1. Owen Larson (ELC) — 4
2. Dylan Stecker (SPL) — 3
2. Will Graves (SPL) — 3
3. Aiden Swanson (ELC) — 2
3. Gage Konz (GHV) — 2
3. Jaxon Archer (FOC) — 2
3. Vinton Feldman (FOC) — 2
3. Diego Gonzalez (CGD) — 2