Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Clear Creek Amana

Head coach: Gabe Bakker (2nd season, 3-6)

Assistant coaches: Trevor Bollers, Mikkel Brown, Bob Broghammer, Mike Dewaard, Jackson Litterer, Todd Mosier, Evan Schulte, Jack Sedlacek, Kyle Stoner, Matt Trosky

Last season: 3-6

Returning Starters: TJ Bollers, Soph., DE/TE; Eric Zierke, Jr., OL; Jonah Upah, Sr., DL; Andrew Rohret, Sr., LB; JJ Denny, Jr., LB; Quentin Gisleson, Sr., DB.  

Other returning letterwinners: Mitch Evans, Sr.; Aroon Feinberg, Soph.; Nick Gerard, Jr.; Parker Haman, Sr.; Zach Kabbage, Sr.; Sam Noska, Jr.; Nolan Schwarting, Sr.; Sam Stevens, Jr.; Trever Stockman, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Alex Figueroa, Soph.; Joey Lepire, Soph.; TJ Hansen, Soph.; Kaden Gisleson, Jr.

Playoff history: 5 appearances (2008-2010, 2014, 2015)

District: Class 3A, District 5

District favorites: North Scott drops down a class after a 9-2 season and included a trip to the Class 4A quarterfinals and enter as the district favorite. Perennial power Davenport Assumption was a 3A quarterfinalist last year in an 8-3 season that included a 17-10 win over North Scott.  

Circle the date: September 21 vs. Liberty High. The district opener comes at home against new rival Liberty High.

Headliner: After getting some experience last season as a freshman TJ Bollers (6-4, 220) is ready for a breakthrough sophomore season. An impressive athlete at defensive end and tight end Bollers plans to build on the three sacks and 16 receptions from a year ago.

Unsung hero: Junior linebacker JJ Denny (5-9, 160) won’t wow with his size but is always around the ball. Denny led the Clippers with 49.5 tackles last season as a sophomore including 35 solo stops.

Keep an eye on: Senior Andrew Rohret (5-9, 160) has been a key defensive piece for the Clippers the past two seasons and will take the reins of the offense this season as he replaces graduated senior Ethan Postler at quarterback.

Biggest question: How will the young Clipper lines fair against a tough district? A young CCA offensive front will need to mature quickly as the Clippers face a rugged district slate that includes former 4A teams Clinton and North Scott and perennial 3A playoff participant Davenport Assumption.

Quotable: “We do have some talent, I think we have some speed at spots that we need it but I really think our team has gelled more than we did in the past and I think that’s going to be the overriding thing. That is what we are stressing, I’m not big on individual stats, it’s always just about team, team, team all the time and I think our kids are buying in.” Clear Creek Amana coach Gabe Bakker

2018 Schedule

Aug. 24: @Mount Pleasant

Aug. 31: Fairfield

Sept. 7: Fort Madison

Sept. 14: @Marion

Sept. 21: Liberty High*

Sept. 28: @Clinton*

Oct. 5: Davenport Assumption*

Oct. 12: North Scott*

Oct. 19: @Central DeWitt*

*- District Game