Brimeyer, Bakker Among Area Participants in Shrine All-State Football Classic
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
In his first season as the head coach at Clear Creek Amana Gabe Bakker had nine games to coach the seniors in his new program.
As it turns out Bakker will get one more game to coach one of those seniors.
Bakker and senior Matt Brimeyer were both selected to take part in the 46th annual Iowa Shrine All-Star Classic in July at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
A standout running back and linebacker for the Clippers last season Brimeyer is one of four area athletes that will compete for the South squad in the July 21 game that features some of the top players from across the state.
West High receiver Traevis Buchanan, City High receiver Zach Jones and West Branch offensive lineman Jacob Barnhart join Brimeyer as area athletes on the South team.
Bakker was selected as an assistant coach for the South team that will be led by Sam Anderson of Urbandale.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Brimeyer led Clear Creek Amana in rushing with 535 yards and three touchdowns and also caught 14 passes for 113 yards.
On defense, Brimeyer ranked third on the team with 46.5 tackles and had six tackles for loss and a sack to go with an interception.
Together Buchanan and Jones give the South team two of the most productive pass catchers in the state last season.
Buchanan ranked second in the state with 1,165 receiving yards on 69 receptions last season while helping West High to a second consecutive Class 4A runner-up finish.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior averaged 16.9 yards per catch and had 15 a team-high 15 touchdown grabs.
Jones ranked second in the state with 77 receptions in nine games and finished with 1,045 yards and 10 touchdowns.
A 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, Jones also ranked second on the team with 33.5 tackles from his cornerback spot.
Barnhart was an all-state lineman for West Branch after helping the Bears to a 9-0 regular season, a district title and a spot in the Class 1A playoffs.
A 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle, Barnhart helped the Bears average better than 374 yards and nearly 35 points per game.
