By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The first full slate of high school football games is right around the corner.

With each new season comes a different set of title contenders, surprise teams, standout players and breakthrough performers.

In the month leading up to week one Your Prep Sports has offered lists of the top area players and under the radar standouts.

Before the season kicks off on Friday here is a list of 11 players poised for breakthrough seasons this fall.

Davonte Foster

Senior, City High

Foster has a total of three carries for 22 yards in his varsity career but the senior impressed City High coaches enough during fall camp to earn first crack at the tailback duties.

What Foster lacks in experience he makes up for in toughness and could be in for a big season as the Little Hawks lead back.

Darius Moore

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

Moore played quarterback last year at Sioux City West but makes the transition to wide receiver where he provides a big-time vertical threat for the Clippers.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Moore has varsity experience and the physical tools to be one of the biggest breakout performers in Class 3A.

Beau Cornwell

Junior West Branch

Fans got a short glimpse of how dangerous Cornwell can be a year ago when he rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries in a season-opening win before a broken collar bone in week two ended his season.

The return of the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Cornwell at quarterback changes the complexion of a West Branch offense that must replace its all-time leading rusher in graduated senior Luke Lenoch.

Austin West

Senior, West High

Sharing the field with the state’s all-time receptions leader last season made opportunities scarce for West High receivers at times as Oliver Martin hauled in a school-record 85 passes.

With Martin off to Michigan there will be plenty of passes to be caught and the 6-foot-1, 175-pound West is a good bet to improve on his 16 catches for 221 yards last season.

Payton Bandy

Senior, Solon

Injuries have been an issue for Bandy in the past but if the senior safety and wide receiver can stay healthy he is the epitome of breakout candidate.

An athletic 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, Bandy can be a difference maker on both sides of the ball which he showed last season with a pair of touchdown grabs in a quarterfinal loss to Pella.

Jake Phillips

Senior, Regina

How does a player that accounted for nearly 900 yards from scrimmage a year ago make a list of possible breakout performers?

Simple, own a skill set like Phillips.

Regina coach Marv Cook called the 5-foot-10, 200-pound jack-of-all trades an athletic ‘freak’ and said the Regals need to find a way to get the ball in his hands.

Dylan Sheely

Senior, Clear Creek Amana  

Sheely started the 2016 season-finale at quarterback but made the move to wide receiver this summer and caught on quickly.

First-year coach Gabe Bakker has praised the leadership of Sheely (6-2, 185) who will also play a key role in the Clippers’ defensive backfield.

Adam Bock and Coal Flansburg

Juniors, Solon

Neither of the junior linebackers have started a varsity game but it shouldn’t take long for the impressive duo to get up to speed.

Both pass the ‘eye-test’ with impressive physical builds and drew rave reviews from coaches and teammates during fall camp. 

Steve Sehl

Senior, Regina

Similar to Phillips it’s a little difficult to call a three-year starter a breakthrough candidate but Sehl still fits the category as he moves from the shadow of departed all-state picks Jared Brinkman and Reagan Ries into the leader of the Regina lines.

The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder played guard last season but is athletic enough to play any spot on the offensive line and should also be a force on defense after making 25 tackles and two sacks last year. 

Tanner Lukavsky

Sophomore, West Branch

Lukavsky was impressive as a freshman, ranking third on the team with 39.5 tackles from his linebacker spot but will have an expanded role this season as he takes over lead running back duties.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Lukavsky brings a blend of speed and power to the West Branch backfield and will work behind a Bear offensive line that returns three starters.

Malik Kimber

Junior, City High  

One of a large group of young City High players eager to make a difference at the varsity level, Kimber impressed City High teammates during fall camp.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Kimber will be lineup up opposite Zach Jones who will get plenty of attention after catching 39 passes for 556 yards last season.