Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

West High

Head coach: Garrett Hartwig (6th season, 43-18)

Assistant coaches: Tyler Meade, Andrew Durham, Josh Flammang, Travis Meade, Paul Breitbach, Bobby Thompson, Chad Geary, Sam McLaran, Ty Haren, Barry Westemeyer, John Gluesing, Stephen Breitbach, Tim Sturgell, Mitch Yoerger, Justin Prueschl

Last season: 9-2 (Class 4A quarterfinals)

Returning starters: Tate Crane, Sr., WR/DB; Grant Henderson, Sr., DB/TE; Will Hoeft, Sr., LB/FB; Marcus Morgan, Jr., QB/DB

Other returning letterwinners: Matt Karwall, Sr., OL; Clay Hulsebus, Sr., OL/DL; Marchaun Hoover, Sr., RB; Ali Alwahdani, Sr., OL/DL; Alex McKay, Jr., TE; Grahm Goering, Jr., DB/WR; Tyuss Bell, Jr., RB/DB

Newcomers to watch: Tyler Halversen, Jr., DL/OL; Anu Dakun, Sr., DL/OL; Ian McAreavy, Jr., WR/DB; Eric Torres, Jr., WR/DB; Logan Moel, Sr., WR/DB

Playoff history: 17 appearances (1994-1999, 2002-2003, 2009, 2011-2018) West High won Class 4A state titles in 1995, 1998 and 1999.

District: Class 4A, District 4

District favorites: West High went 5-0 in District 4 play last season outscoring district foes 208-48 and remains the favorite to claim the district crown and earn the automatic playoff berth.

Circle the date: September 6 against Bettendorf. West High doesn’t have to wait long for another shot at the Bulldogs after Bettendorf handed the Trojans both of its losses last season. Bettendorf won 10-7 in the regular season matchup last year and 43-28 in the second round of the 4A playoffs at Trojan Field.

Headliner: Junior Marcus Morgan directed West High to an 8-1 record after taking over as the full-time starter at quarterback last season and quickly emerged as one of the state’s top dual threat quarterbacks. Morgan passed for 1,875 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 376 yards and two scores last season.

Unsung hero: Senior defensive back Grant Henderson quietly had a strong season a year ago making 23 tackles and ranking second on the team with two interceptions.

Keep an eye on: Speedy junior receiver Grahm Goering has impressed West High coaches during fall practices and should provide a big-play threat opposite of Crane in the West High passing game.

Biggest question: Can the Trojans reload up front on both sides of the ball? West High was hit hard by graduation on both the offensive and defensive lines but has proven over the past several seasons it can reload with the best programs in the state. The Trojans have a solid nucleus in seniors Matt Karwall, Clay Hulsebus and Ali Alwahdani but will be tested immediately with consecutive games against 3A quarterfinalist North Scott and 4A semifinalists Bettendorf and Southeast Polk to open the season.

Quotable: “We just have to carry on what West High has done the last couple of years,” Senior Ali Alwahdani said. “It’s a smaller senior class this year so we really have to be involved and we all have to be leaders together.”

2019 Schedule

Aug. 30: @North Scott

Sept. 6: Bettendorf

Sept. 13: @Southeast Polk

Sept. 20: Dubuque Senior

Sept. 27: @Pleasant Valley*

Oct. 4: Linn-Mar*

Oct. 11: Davenport North*

Oct. 18: @Muscatine*

Oct. 25: @City High*

*-District game