By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Bryce Hunger is a quarterback, always has been.

Hunger is also an athlete and a very good one.

So, when Hunger found himself behind a pair of future college quarterbacks on the City High depth chart last season he used that athleticism to find a way onto the field on the opposite side of the ball.

Hunger made 27.5 tackles and picked off a pair of passes last season to help City High to an 8-3 record.

“I’ve always been a quarterback so it was kind of tough not playing but I like hitting people so it was fun getting to go out and play defense,” Hunger said. “I’d rather hit somebody than get hit.”

With former City High signal callers Nate Wieland (Iowa) and Jared Taylor (Northern State) starting collegiate careers this fall Hunger is back at his familiar spot under center.

It hasn’t taken Hunger long to pick up where he left off.

“His attitude has been tremendous, his accuracy has been good, he is listening and taking in everything that he needs to,” City High coach Dan Sabers said. “We let him play some quarterback last year, not in games but in practice so he got to be around two guys that were very good.”  

Hunger is a new varsity starter at quarterback but he’s not new to the position or the varsity scene.

He’s been a quarterback since junior high and used his time in the defensive backfield to acclimate himself to the speed of the varsity game.  

“I think I had a good experience at the varsity level just seeing the difference in speed and hitting and I think that will really help me out,” Hunger said. “I feel a little more experienced after that.”

Shortly after a quarterfinal loss to Cedar Rapids Washington ended the season for City High the focus for Hunger shifted from defending passes to delivering them.

“I got with the receivers right away when the season ended,” Hunger said. “It was just a lot of routes. We’d go out to the turf and run a lot of routes and try to get our timing down.”

That work has paid dividends quickly in Hunger’s first fall at quarterback.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior has impressed coaches and teammates during fall camp.

I think the best thing about Bryce is (assistant) coach (Joe) Wilcox said he had a great summer and he’s further around than he thought he would be at this point,” Sabers said. “To me that says a lot.”  

It’s not exactly new for Hunger who quarterbacked the sophomore team two seasons ago.

Last year he got practice reps but few game snaps, attempting one pass.

That hasn’t stopped Hunger from gaining a quick relationship with his offensive teammates.

“Bryce is a great person, a great individual, he has a great personality he was my quarterback sophomore year so I believe in him,” City High senior running back Davonae Foster said. “I know what he is capable of doing. I’m ready for him to show everybody else what he is capable of doing.”

City High Quarterback

The Starter: Senior Bryce Hunger (6-1, 195) slides into the starting spot after spending last season as a defensive back.

Key Players: It is Hunger’s show after the graduation of Nate Wieland and Jared Taylor who combined to handle the quarterbacking duties for the past three seasons.

Statworthy: City High quarterbacks have thrown 34 touchdowns and 28 interceptions over the past three seasons.

Why it’s a strength: Hunger has never started a varsity game at quarterback but isn’t a stranger to the varsity level after playing last season in the Little Hawk secondary.

One of the best athletes on the roster, Hunger has the ability to make plays and should continue to improve as the season goes.