Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Following three consecutive two-win seasons the challenge at City High last season was simple – return to the top of Class 5A.

City High climbed close to the top during a breakthrough 10-2 season last fall that concluded with a loss to Southeast Polk in the 5A semifinals.

After last season’s success the goal in 2022 is just as straightforward – stay at the top.

“We are at the top and when you are at the top everybody wants to come for you,” City High senior Evan Lampe said. “Coach Moore talks about the gold standard, last year it was just the standard, this year it’s the gold standard where we are at peak form and going 100 miles an hour at all times. I think we have held ourselves to a higher standard this year.”

City High completed one of the best turnarounds in the state last season going from two wins to the state semifinals.

The Little Hawks won six consecutive games to open the season and returned to the UNI-Dome for the first time since 2010.

That taste of success came with a sour finish in the form of a 33-7 semifinal loss to eventual 5A champ Southeast Polk and has City High motivated for more this fall.

“I would say the motivation factor is wrenched up a notch,” City High coach Mitch Moore said. “I think there is a little bit of confidence in how we prepare but now it’s on us as to what we do to take that next step.”

Scan the stats and the losses from last year’s team are noticeable.

City High must replace its leading rusher in 1,000-yard back Darren Richardson, top pass catcher in do-everything Gable Mitchell and four starters on the offensive line.

Still, talent returns in the form of seven starters and expectations are high as the overall depth in the program has been bolstered over past seasons.

“Coach has made it very known that we have to step up,” senior receiver Akili Mattox said. “Our seniors last year changed the program here and we need to step up and do the same things that those guys did.”

Any list of City High returning starters must start with all-state linebacker and Iowa recruit Ben Kueter who is among the top players in the state.

Kueter (6-2, 225) led 5A in tackles (101), sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss last season.

On offense Kueter caught 24 passes for 369 yards and nine touchdowns and also had a rushing touchdown.

Kueter will be a focal point of everything City High does on both sides of the ball.

“We are going to build our defense around him for sure but he’s going to used probably more uniquely offensively this year than he was defensively last year,” Moore said of Kueter. “We are going to use him in certain plays where he is getting the ball and people know it and that’s o.k. and we are going to use him in certain plays where people think he’s getting the ball and he’s not. We are going to use him at receiver, we are going to use him at running back. We are going to put a lot on his plate for a defense to see and make it simple for him to learn.”

Kueter is one of three starters returning from a stingy City High defense that posted four shutouts and held opponents to 13.4 points per game last season.

Young brother Sam Kueter (6-4, 200) returns at defensive end and senior Alex Knudtson (5-10, 200) is back at linebacker after making 20.5 tackles last season.

City High is expecting big things from Lampe (6-3, 200) at linebacker and senior Michael Etuma (6-0, 215) who missed most of last season with injury on the defensive line.

“The seniors last year had a huge part in our success no doubt but we had guys playing behind them learning,” Lampe said. “I was behind John (Klosterman) all last year and I was taking notes because I knew this year I had to be that guy. We have guys that have learned and are ready to take on bigger roles.”

Junior quarterbacks Quinton Tran and Drew Larson return to lead the offense after combining to pass for 2,271 yards and 26 touchdowns while sharing time as sophomores.

Senior Ronnie Major (5-11,150) is expected to take on a bigger role in the backfield after rushing for 328 yards and five touchdowns a year ago.

“Last year we had a lot of good players, but our second string guys from last year are going to be those leaders this year,” Major said. “We have been waiting for this time to show what we can do and it’s not going to be any different.”

Mattox will be looked to at wide receiver after the Little Hawks graduated six of their top seven pass catchers from last year.

Mattox caught seven passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.

“We had three seniors so I just tried to learn from those guys, watch what they did in practice and asked a lot of questions,” Mattox said. “Those guys really helped me get to where I am now.”

There will be plenty of new faces up front but the Little Hawks welcome back junior Trey Dervich (6-2, 225) who was lost for the season with injury in the opener a year ago.

“A lot of our starters there is a fire under them right now,” Lampe said. “We want to get back to the Dome and everyone believes it. We fully believe we are coming back to win a state championship.”

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