Looking at the past present and future of high school football in the Hawkeye State.
Staff Report
MaxPreps.com
Best Player: Brandon Wegher, Sr., RB, Bishop Heelan
Wegher has emerged as the top recruit out of Iowa after a sensational junior season. After rushing for just over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, Wegher more than doubled that total with 2,334 yards in 2007 for Bishop Heelan. Returning State Leaders – Passing: Tyler Jones, Cherokee, 191-342-2,360 yards, 20 TDs; Rushing: Brandon Wegher, Bishop Heelan, 286-2,334 yards.
Top All-Time Player: Roger Craig, RB, Davenport Central
He rushed for 353 yards and four touchdowns in his best prep game. At the University of Nebraska, Craig ran for 2,446 yards in his career and set a school record with a 94-yard touchdown run against Florida State. In the NFL he teamed with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice to lead the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl triumphs. He was the first NFL player ever to gain more than 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving during a single season. He made four Pro Bowls and was the 1988 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. In 11 pro seasons, Craig amassed 13,143 yards and scored 73 touchdowns.
2008 Must See: Tyler Jones, Sr., QB, Cherokee
Barring injury, Jones will break the state’s career record for passing yardage (7,701). He already has 7,236 entering his senior year.
On The Throne: Bettendorf
During the last five years, Bettendorf has put together a 53-6 record and claimed a pair of Class 4A state titles.
Best Rivalry: West Des Moines Valley vs. West Des Moines Dowling Catholic
Both former state champions, they have met regularly since 1968, with Dowling holding a 34-21 advantage. The game annually draws a crowd of more than 10,000.
Future Star: James Morris, Jr., LB-RB, Solon
As a sophomore, the 6-0, 200-pounder rushed for 1,877 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Fun Fact
The state’s winningest coach, Dick Tighe, is 77 years old and still running the program at Class A Fort Dodge St. Edmond. In 54 years, Tighe has put together a 363-140-8 record, but 41 of those victories came from seven years in Canada.
MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team
WR – Keenan Davis, Cedar Rapids Washington
WR – Edwin Arceo, Muscatine
WR – James Cairney, Harlan Community
TE – Mitch Overstreet, Bettendorf
OL – John Swanson, Des Moines East
OL – Drew Clark, Marion
OL – Nathan Siebert, Dallas Center Grimes
OL – Kyle Lichtenberg, Bettendorf
OL – David Barrent, West Des Moines Valley
QB – Jeff Hastert, Harlan Community
QB – Zach McCabe, Bishop Heelan
RB – Zach Cutkomp, West Des Moines Valley
RB – Jeff Woody, Southeast Polk
RB – Brandon Wegher, Bishop Heelan
ATH – Jordan Cotton, Mt. Pleasant
K – Cody Smith, Mt. Pleasant
DL – Ross Naylor, Ankeny
DL – Buckley Wright, Bishop Heelan
DL – Austin Steenhoek, Pella
DL – Michael Burke, Central Clinton
LB – Ethan Bass, Southeast Polk
LB – Bryant Hummel, Clarinda
LB – Greg Oldsen, Central Clinton
LB – Josh Stewart, Oelwein
LB – Jordan Voss, Eagle Grove
DB –Josh Lenz, Dubuque Hempstead
DB – Kyler Stahle, Solon
DB – Adam Pelzer, Tipton
DB – Tanner Johansen, Hampton-Dumont
P – Nate Meyer, Bettendorf
