FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Wolves seek three-peat in Eight-Player District 2

There are some new and old faces in the realigned Eight-Player District 2 for the 2023 football season. Harris-Lake Park, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire and West Bend-Mallard shared the district title last season and will likely be three of the top teams in the district once again despite losing several of their best players to graduation. Bishop Garrigan, North Iowa and Northwood-Kensett could potentially be teams on the rise.

Rockford is the strangest addition to the district. The Warriors — who went to the state championship game in 2018 — didn’t put a varsity football team on the field last season, and will make a nearly 3-hour drive to take on Harris-Lake Park this season.

No. 1 — Harris-Lake Park (6-3)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Remsen St. Mary’s...............................L 42-7
9/2..........vs. Northwood-Kensett...............................W 49-0
9/9..........vs. Kingsley-Pierson...................................W 40-37
9/16........vs. St. Edmond...........................................W 63-34
9/23........vs. Bishop Garrigan....................................W 38-14
9/30........vs. GT/RA...................................................W 42-40
10/7........vs. West Bend-Mallard...............................L 48-6
10/14......vs. North Iowa............................................W 68-6
10/21......vs. Newell-Fonda (8P - First Round)..........L 55-26

KEY DEPARTURES: Tyce Gunderson, Mikel Luinstra, Ethan Nelson, Nick Sage
KEY RETURNERS: Caleb Hemphill, Lucas Ahrenstorff, Devin Meyer, Travis Luitjens

Harris-Lake Park has the most talent back of any team in District 2 and the back-to-back district champion Wolves will be the early favorites to win the district and make it a three-peat.

The Wolves accomplished that feat last season after bouncing back from a lopsided Week 1 loss to eventual state champion Remsen St. Mary’s. A five-game winning streak — capped with a thrilling homecoming win over rival Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire — put the Wolves in the driver’s seat and a 68-6 win over North Iowa clinched a share of a second straight crown.

This year, the Wolves will be without three-year starting quarterback and linebacker Tyce Gunderson — a huge hit to the perennial powers. Gunderson ran for 1,028 yards and 20 touchdowns and completed 76 of 115 passes for 987 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions despite playing with several injuries, including an injury to his throwing shoulder.

They will also be without First Team All-District players Mikel Luinstra, Ethan Nelson and Nick Sage. However, they do return First Team All-District selections Lucas Ahrenstorff and Caleb Hemphill, as well as Second Team All-District players Devin Meyer and Travis Luitjens.

Ahrenstorff filled in at quarterback when Gunderson was out with injuries and was a top threat at the receiver position last season. He completed 28 of 44 passes for 323 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions, caught 28 passes for 447 yards and seven touchdowns, and ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.

Hemphill was a threat on the ground and in the air. He ran for 406 yards and three touchdowns on 78 carries, and caught 40 passes for 423 yards and nine touchdowns. Meyer was productive in the passing game, catching 24 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

All three players will need to step up to replace Gunderson’s offensive production.

The loss of Sage, Gunderson, Nelson, Luinstra and Ryan Bensley will be a hit to the Wolves’ defense. That group combined for 204.5 tackles, 41 tackles for loss and 13 sacks a year ago

However, Hemphill, Ahrenstorff and Meyer were among the Wolves’ top defensive player last season.

Hemphill had 50.5 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions. Ahrenstorff had 49.5 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and an interception. Meyer had 38 tackles, four tackles for loss and an interception.

No. 2 — GT/RA (9-2)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Kingsley-Pierson...........................................W 40-38
9/2..........vs. Glidden-Ralston............................................W 50-8
9/9..........vs. Northwood-Kensett.......................................W 60-6
9/16........vs. North Iowa....................................................W 62-15
9/23........vs. West Bend-Mallard.......................................W 38-24
9/30........vs. Harris-Lake Park...........................................L 42-40
10/7........vs. Bishop Garrigan............................................W 66-44
10/14......vs. St. Edmond...................................................W 62-35
10/21......vs. Kingsley-Pierson (8P - First Round).............W 50-34
10/28......vs. West Harrison (8P - First Round).................W 28-12
11/3........vs. Remsen St. Mary’s (8P - Quarterfinals)........L 63-14

KEY DEPARTURES: Max Hough, Eric Heinrichs, Drew Schnell, Jordan Saul, Kory Hough, Bryce Rosacker
KEY RETURNERS: Kasey Hough, Jon Krieger, Teagan Hanson

Graettinger-Terril/Ruthen-Ayrshire lost most of its team from a year ago, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the Titans are almost always good. The 2022 quarterfinalists should, at the very least, be competitive in the district in 2023.

Last year’s team centered around senior Max Hough, who earned First Team All-State honors after finishing the season with more than 4,000 all-purpose yards, 51 touchdowns, 82.5 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions.

The Titans’ offense will also miss Eric Heinrichs, Drew Schnell and Jordan Saul. That trio combined for 1,982 total yards and 31 touchdowns.

Underclassmen Teagan Hanson and Kasey Hough saw time at quarterback in 2022, combining to complete 9 of 15 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Hough ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries and caught five passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

The Titans’ defense will be without six of their eight best tacklers from a year ago.

Kasey Hough is the best player back. He had 57 tackles as a sophomore. Jon Krieger had 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks as a sophomore.

No. 3 — West Bend-Mallard (7-3)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Newell-Fonda...................................................L 28-14
9/2..........vs. St. Edmond......................................................W 66-22
9/9..........vs. Bishop Garrigan...............................................W 30-12
9/16........vs. Northwood-Kensett..........................................W 57-6
9/23........vs. GT/RA..............................................................L 38-24
9/30........vs. North Iowa........................................................W 83-13
10/7........vs. Harris-Lake Park..............................................W 48-6
10/14......vs. River Valley......................................................W 57-18
10/21......vs. Clarksville (8P - First Round)...........................W 48-0
10/28......vs. Remsen St. Mary’s (8P - Second Round)........L 42-16

KEY DEPARTURES: Lucas Fehr, Ethan Zaugg, Ben Massner, Max Fehr
KEY RETURNERS: Landon Montag, Logan Grimm, Jaxon Zaugg

West Bend-Mallard surged to prominence last football season with a 7-3 overall record and a playoff appearance. Despite several key losses to graduation, including First Team All-State selection Lucas Fehr, and Second Team All-State selections Ethan Zaugg and Ben Massner, the 2023 Wolverines should again be competitive in the district.

Offensively, they will miss starting quarterback Max Fehr, who ran for 1,190 yards and 27 touchdowns, and completed 38 of 76 passes for 662 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions last season.

Landon Montag was highly productive for the Wolverines’ offense in his junior season. He ran for 834 yards and 11 touchdowns on 150 carries and will likely be the focal point of the offense this season.

Logan Grimm and Jaxon Zaugg will be back to lead the defense. They had 67 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks combined a year ago.

No. 4 — Bishop Garrigan (3-5)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Janesville........................W 52-6
9/2..........vs. North Iowa......................W 32-14
9/9..........vs. West Bend-Mallard.........L 30-12
9/16........vs. Newell-Fonda.................L 19-0
9/23........vs. Harris-Lake Park............L 38-14
9/30........vs. St. Edmond....................L 45-40
10/7........vs. GT/RA............................L 66-44
10/14......vs. Northwood-Kensett........W 63-0

KEY DEPARTURES: Garret Heying, Cal Birkey, Aidan Hovey, Nate Bronk
KEY RETURNERS: Caden Roethler, Justin Bauer, Sam Plathe

Bishop-Garrigan won just three games a year ago, but the Golden Bears return some talented players from that squad and should be a team to contend with in 2023.

They will be without starting quarterback Garrett Heying, running back Cal Birkey and receiver Aidan Hovey.

Heying completed 57 of 130 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Birkey ran for 592 yards and 10 touchdowns on 87 carries and caught 16 passes for 207 yards and another score. Hovey caught 22 passes for 354 yards and two scores.

Caden Roethler is the most productive returning offensive player. He ran for 233 yards and seven touchdowns on 59 carries as a junior. Owen Murphy ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries as a sophomore.

Defensively, the Golden Bears return three of their top tacklers from a year ago in Justin Bauer, Roethler and Sam Plathe. That trio combined for 117 tackles a year ago.

No. 5 — North Iowa (1-7)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Gladbrook-Reinbeck........L 70-13
9/2..........vs. Bishop Garrigan...............L 32-14
9/9..........vs. St. Edmond......................L 48-18
9/16........vs. GT/RA..............................L 62-15
9/23........vs. Northwood-Kensett..........L 28-24
9/30........vs. West Bend-Mallard..........L 83-13
10/7........vs. Riceville...........................W 60-12
10/14......vs. Harris-Lake Park.............L 68-6

KEY DEPARTURES: Noah Hofmann
KEY RETURNERS: Brogyn Greensky, Jeffery Gerber, Charlie Schaefer, Carson Frerichs

North Iowa struggled to one win last season, but the Bison return some of the district’s most productive players and those players could and should lead North Iowa to a better season in 2023.
Brogyn Greensky led the North Iowa offense at quarterback last year as a junior. He completed 62 of 142 passes for 965 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and ran for 370 yards and eight touchdowns on 82 carries.
Greensky will be without his top target, Noah Hofmann, who caught 18 passes for 477 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
Jeffery Gerber and Carson Frerichs combined to rush for 509 yards and four touchdowns on 112 carries as juniors. Gerber and Charlie Schaefer combined to catch 30 passes for 433 yards and a touchdown as juniors.
Schaefer, Greensky, Gerber, Frerichs and Trent Robertson were the top five tacklers for the Bison’s defense last season and all should be back.

No. 6 — Northwood-Kensett (2-6)

2022 SCHEDULE

8/26........vs. Riceville.............................W 55-12
9/2..........vs. Harris-Lake Park...............L 49-0
9/9..........vs. GT/RA...............................L 60-6
9/16........vs. West Bend-Mallard...........L 57-6
9/23........vs. North Iowa........................W 28-24
9/29........vs. Gladbrook-Reinbeck........L 78-0
10/7........vs. St. Edmond......................L 54-26
10/14......vs. Bishop-Garrigan...............L 63-0

KEY DEPARTURES: Lamonte Sims, Dante Sims, Dalton Logeman
KEY RETURNERS: Colby Eskildsen, Kooper Julseth, Justin Mills, Ben Yezek

Northwood-Kensett earned a pair of wins in 2022, including a four-point victory over North Iowa, and could see improvement this season.

The Vikings will miss the offensive production of Lamonte and Dante Sims. The duo combined for 592 yards and six touchdowns.

They should return sophomore quarterback Colby Eskildsen, who completed 71 of 137 passes for 687 yards, six touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and Eskildsen’s top target Kooper Julseth, who caught 36 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.

Northwood-Kensett’s defense will return three of its five top tacklers from a year ago in Julseth, Justin Mills and Ben Yezek. That trio combined for 81.5 tackles and seven tackles for loss.

No. 7 — Rockford

Rockford did not put a varsity football team on the field last season, so the Warriors are a bit of a mystery heading into the 2023 season. They were the state runners-up in 2018, falling 55-14 to champion New London at the UNI-Dome. The Warriors then went 7-3 in 2019 before suffering back-to-back 2-6 seasons in 2020 and 2021.

EIGHT-PLAYER DISTRICT 2 LEADERS

Passing Touchdowns

1. Brogyn Greensky (NI) — 10
2. Colby Eskildsen (NK) — 6
2. Lucas Ahrenstorff (HLP) — 6
4. Teegan Hanson (GTRA) — 2
4. Carson Schnieder (WBM) — 2

Rushing Touchdowns

1. Landon Montag (WBM) — 11
2. Brogyn Greensky (NI) — 8
3. Caden Roethler (BG) — 7
4. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 3
4. Jeffery Gerber (NI) — 3

Receiving Touchdowns

1. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 9
2. Lucas Ahrenstorff (HLP) — 7
3. Devin Meyer (HLP) — 4
4. Kooper Julseth (NK) — 3
5. Aidan Yoch (WBM) — 2
5. Ethan Marso (BG) — 2

Passing Yards

1. Broogyn Greensky (NI) — 965
2. Colby Eskildsen (NK) — 687
3. Lucas Ahrenstorff (HLP) — 323
4. Teagan Hanson (GTRA) — 123
5. Charlie Schaefer (NI) — 102

Rushing Yards

1. Landon Montag (WBM) — 834
2. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 406
3. Brogyn Greensky (NI) — 370
4. Jeffery Gerber (NI) — 311
5. Caden Roethler (BG) — 233

Receiving Yards

1. Lucas Ahrenstorff (HLP) — 447
2. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 423
3. Kooper Julseth (NK) — 384
4. Devin Meyer (HLP) — 302
5. Charlie Schaefer (NI) — 280

Tackles

1. Kasey Hough (GTRA) — 57
2. Charlie Schaefer (NI) — 52
3. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 50.5
4. Lucas Ahrenstorff (HLP) — 49.5
5. Justin Bauer (BG) — 45

Tackles For Loss

1. Jaxon Zaugg (WBM) — 7.5
2. Jon Krieger (GTRA) — 6.5
3. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 5
4. Justin Mills (NK) — 4.5
5. Devin Meyer (HLP) — 4
5. Anthony Eisele (NI) — 4

Sacks

1. Jon Krieger (GTRA) — 5
1. Jaxon Zaugg (WBM) — 5
3. Keaton Helleseth (BG) — 2
4. Collin Hoffman (GTRA) — 1.5
4. Wyatt Haffner (GTRA) — 1.5
4. Justin Mills (NK) — 1.5

Interceptions

1. Kasey Hough (GTRA) — 5
2. Justin Bauer (BG) — 3
2. Brogyn Greensky (NI) — 3
4. Caleb Hemphill (HLP) — 2