Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

For the last six years the Your Prep Sports area football team has recognized some of the best players in the coverage area for the effort on the gridiron.

The 2022 edition of the Your Prep Sports area team features players from all seven area teams including five area teams that reached the playoffs this season.

This year’s team features college recruits, all-state, all-district and all-conference performers as well as school record holders.

City High senior linebacker and Liberty High junior quarterback Graham Beckman are the captains of the 2022 team.

Kueter is the Your Prep Sports area defensive captain for the second consecutive season after ranking second in 5A with 93.5 tackles and third in 5A with 25.5 tackles for loss.

An Iowa recruit, Kueter closed his career with 236 total tackles and had 66.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons.

Beckman is the 2022 offensive captain after leading Liberty High to a school record nine wins and the first playoff victory in program history.

The junior quarterback completed 63 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,580 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

Offense

*Quarterback: Graham Beckman, 6-2, 200, Jr. Liberty High – Beckman was among the biggest breakthrough stars in the state this season ranking in the top-10 in the state in both passing yards and touchdowns while leading Liberty High to a single season record for wins and the first playoff win in program history in his first season as a starter. A second-team Class 4A all-state pick, Beckman completed 63 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,580 yards and 31 touchdowns with just four interceptions and rushed for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

Quarterback: Drew Larson, 6-1, 175, Jr., City High – An impressive athlete that did a little bit of everything for the Little Hawks this season Larson was at his best as a quarterback throwing for 1,841 yards and 19 touchdown swhile completing 68 percent of his passes. A second-team Class 5A all-state pick as a defensive back, Larson also rushed for 303 yards and five touchdowns, caught a touchdown pass ranked sixth on the team in tackles had two interceptions and returned punts.

Quarterback: Jack Wallace, 6-3, 210, Soph., West High – A starter as a freshman last season Wallace took a huge step forward as a sophomore emerging as one of the top quarterbacks in Class 5A. Wallace ranked eighth in 5A with 1,754 passing yards while completing 58 percent of his passes and throwing for 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

Running back: Andy Henson, 6-2, 215, Sr. West Branch – One of the best all-around players in Class 1A, Henson led West Branch in both rushing and tackles on his way to being named a first-team all-state pick. Henson rushed for 1,484 yards and 30 touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per carry and also caught 15 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. A Minnesota State recruit, Henson also had a team-high 62.5 tackles including nine tackles for loss and two sacks.

Running back: Ronnie Major, 5-11, 150, Sr., City High – A dynamic playmaker out of the backfield Major accounted for more than 900 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns. Major rushed for a team-high 541 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards per carry and also caught 23 passes for 362 yards and four touchdowns.

Running back: Levi Daniel, 6-3, 205, Sr., Regina – A two-year, two-way starter Daniel was an impact player on both sides of the ball for Regina rushing for a team-high 597 yards and four touchdowns and catching eight passes for 56 yards. As a linebacker Daniel ranked fourth on the team with 37.5 tackles.

Wide receiver: Christian Janis, 6-4, 180, Sr., West High – After missing nearly all of his junior season due to injury Janis was one of the most dynamic pass catchers in the state as a senior earning Class 5A second-team all-state honors. A Minnesota State commit, Janis caught 36 passes for 739 yards and 12 touchdowns ranking in the top 10 in 5A in receiving yards, touchdowns and yards per reception.

Wide receiver: Akili Mattox, 6-2, 200, Sr., City High – Mattox established himself as the go-to receiver for the Little Hawks catching 33 passes for 700 yards and six touchdowns on his way to earning second-team all-state honors in Class 5A. Mattox ranked 10^th in 5A in receiving yards and third in yards per catch at 21.2.

Wide receiver: Garrett Gregoire, 5-8, 160, Sr., Liberty High – In his first full-time season as a varsity starter Gregoire emerged as the top passing catching option and a big-play threat in the Liberty High offense. Gregoire earned second team Class 4A all-state honors after ranking sixth in 4A with 832 receiving yards on 43 receptions and was seventh with 4A with nine touchdown receptions.

Wide receiver: Jackson Naeve, 6-0, 170, Jr. Regina – A dangerous threat any time he touched the ball, Naeve led the Regals in receiving, ranked second on the team in rushing and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Naeve caught 31 passes for 550 yards and eight touchdowns, rushed for 181 yards and averaged 19.9 yards per kick off return.

Tightend: Christian Barney, 6-2, 205, Sr., Liberty High – Barney was a big-time playmaker on both sides of the ball leading the Lightning in tackles from his linebacker spot and ranking third on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns as a tight end. A matchup problem for defenses, Barney caught 30 passes for 376 yards and six touchdowns to go with 67 tackles and nine tackles for loss.

Offensive line: Cameron Hamers, 6-3, 207, Jr., Liberty High – One of the reasons Liberty High was able to go from three wins last season to 9-2 and a spot in the Class 4A quarterfinals was the play of the offensive line and Hamers was a big part of the improved play up front. A Class 4A, District 3 first-team pick, Hamers helped the Lightning average 130 rushing yards, 378 total yards and 36.9 points per game.

Offensive line: Caleb Allan, 6-4, 225, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – Allan emerged as an anchor on a Clipper offensive line that helped Clear Creek Amana average better than 150 rushing yards per game earning first-team all-district honors.

Offensive line: Trey Dervrich, 6-2, 232, Jr., City High – A Mississippi Valley Conference first-team pick Dervrich was a key cog on a City High offensive line that allowed the Little Hawks to be one of the most productive offenses in Class 5A. Dervrich and the City High offensive line paved the way for the Little Hawks to average 185 rushing yards, 450 total yards and 44 points per game.

Offensive line: Aiden Dingbaum, 5-11, 240, Sr., West Branch – Dingbaum emerged as an anchor on the West Branch offensive line earning first-team all-state honors in Class 1A. Behind Dingbaum the Bears rushed for nearly 208 yards per game and averaged 340 total yards and 42.8 points per game.

Offensive line: Aidan Doyle, 6-4, 220, Sr., Solon – Solon developed an identity as a power running team and the play of Doyle was a key to that success on the ground. Doyle earned second team all-state honors in Class 3A after helping the Spartans average 221 rushing yards and 34 points per game.

Kicker: Hayden Saul, 6-0, 155, Sr., Liberty High – Saul was a key piece of the success for Liberty High this season as the Lightning went 9-2 and advanced to the 4A quarterfinals. As a kicker Saul converted 48-of-51 PAT attempts and went 4-of-7 on field goals. Saul also averaged 37.6 yards per punt on 21 punts.

Defense

Defensive line: Logan Wright, 6-2, 230, Jr. West Branch – A first team Class 1A all-state selection, Wright was a big part of the defensive success for West Branch this season leading the Bears with 18 tackles for loss and six sacks. Wright ranked fifth on the team with 36 tackles from his interior defensive line spot.

Defensive line: Dantrell Skinner, 6-0, 235, Jr., Liberty High – Skinner emerged as a force on the Lightning defensive line earning second team Class 4A all-state honors after ranking fifth on the team with 39 tackles and leading the Lightning with nine tackles for loss. An impressive athlete, Skinner also rushed for a pair of touchdowns as a short-yardage back.

Defensive line: Ben Kampman, 6-3, 185, Jr. Solon – After getting his feet wet at the varsity level last season Kampman emerged as a major playmaker on the Spartan defensive this season ranking second on the team with 41 tackles from his defensive end spot. Kampman was a Class 3A first-team all-state pick after leading Solon with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks and also recovering a fumble.

Defensive line: Brody Clubb, 6-4, 235, Soph., Clear Creek Amana – Clubb followed up a strong freshman season with an impressive sophomore campaign in which he ranked third on the team with 44 tackles while moving between outside linebacker and defensive end. The career-high 44 tackles including 31 solo stops, 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

*Linebacker: Ben Kueter, 6-2, 225, Sr. City High – An Iowa signee and one of the best all-around athletes in the state Kueter capped a brilliant career by earning first-team Class 5A all-state honors for a second consecutive season. Kueter ranked second in 5A with 93.5 tackles and third with 25.5 tackles for loss, making 58 solo stops and adding seven sacks. A three-year starter, Kueter closed his career with 236 total tackles, 69.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Ashton Honore, 6-0, 210, Jr., West High – Already a two-year starter Honore enjoyed a breakthrough junior season as he became one of the most disruptive defenders in the state. Honore led Class 5A with 27 tackles for loss and ranked fourth with 7.5 tackles for loss while posting a team-high 66.5 tackles including 46 solo stops and recovering two fumbles. In two seasons Honore has made 102 tackles including 35 for loss.

Linebacker: Ronan Poynton, 6-3, 220, Sr., Regina – Poynton led Regina in tackles from his middle linebacker spot to go with two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in the best season of his career. Poynton had 52 solo stops among his career-high 67 tackles.

Linebacker: Evan Lampe, 6-3, 200, Sr., City High – Lampe made the most of his only season as a full-time varsity starter ranking second on the team in both total tackles (58.5) and solo tackles (43). A key piece of the City High defense, Lampe had 10 tackles for loss and three sacks during his breakthrough senior season.

Linebacker: Brett White, 6-0, 210, Jr., Solon – White led Solon in tackles for the second consecutive season racking up 77 tackles, 43 solo stops, 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks to go with two interceptions while earning first-team all-state honors. In two varsity seasons White has 171 tackles with 29.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Linebacker: Brock Sherman, 6-1, 175, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – In his second season as a varsity starter Sherman emerged as the leader of the Clipper defense and one of the most productive linebackers in the state. Sherman earned second-team Class 4A all-state honors after posting teams highs of 79.5 tackles, 59 solos, 12.5 tackles for loss to go with 2.5 sacks.

Defensive back: Wyatt Williams, 6-1, 177, Sr., Liberty High – Williams did a little bit of everything for Liberty High including making 27.5 tackles and two tackles for loss from his safety spot. As a receiver Williams caught 31 passes for 525 yards and eight touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Defensive back: Mason Woods, 6-1, 185, Soph., West High – It didn’t take long for Woods to become a force in the West High secondary making 21 tackles and leading the Trojans with three interceptions in his first varsity season. Woods also caught 19 passes for 392 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensive back: Blake Timmons, 5-10, 190, Sr. Solon – A three-year starter at quarterback that accounted for more than 5,800 yards of total offense and 78 touchdowns Timmons earned first-team Class 3A all-state honors as a defensive back as a senior. Timmons had 20 tackles and a team-high five interceptions from his safety spot returning one interception for a touchdown.

Defensive back: Amari Thigpen, 5-10, 160, Sr., Liberty High – Thigpen was a leader in the Liberty High secondary ranking fourth on the team with 41 tackles including 2.5 for loss from his cornerback spot. Thigpen had a team-high two interceptions for the Lightning and also averaged 21.5 yards per kick off return.

Defensive back: Kinnick Boelk, 5-10, 175, Sr., West Branch – Boelk was an important part of the success for West Branch on both sides of the ball ranking fourth on the team with 41 tackles and leading the Bears in receptions as a receiver. Boelk tied with twin brother Carver for the team lead with three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown and returned a fumble for a score.

Defensive back: Sean Stahle, 5-10, 175, Sr., Solon – An all-state selection as a running back as a junior, Stahle earned second-team Class 3A all-state honors this season after creating five turnovers for the Spartans. Stahle had three interceptions and recovered two fumbles while adding 15.5 tackles from his corner back spot.

Punter: Reece Hoffman, 6-0, 175, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – Punting was just a small part of what the versatile Hoffman did for the Clippers. In addition to averaging 40.1 yards on 30 punts Hoffman ranked fourth on the team with 41.5 tackles, had a team-high two interceptions returning one for a touchdown, averaged better than 22 yards per kick off return, caught 11 passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards.

*- Captains

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