Football Capsules: Taking A Quick Look at Clear Creek Amana
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
Clear Creek Amana
Head coach: Matt Haddy (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Matt Casebolt, Bryce Pierce, Mikkel Brown, Kyle Stoner, Evan Schulte, Brandon Clubb, Bob Broghammer, Vaughn Costello, Trevor Bollers, Sean Keller, Drew Wagner, Logan Broghammer, Todd Mosier
Last season: 3-6
Returning starters: Sam Pettinger, Sr., TE/LB; Vinnie Keller, Jr., OL/DL; Brody Clubb, Jr., OL/DL; Cole Smith, Jr., OL/DL; Jack Stevens, Sr., RB/LB; Carson Nash, Sr., OL/LB; Owen Rosenberg, Jr., WR/DB; Zach Vance, Sr., DL; Carson Fox, Sr., LB/TE; Ethan Williams, Sr., DL; Trace Robertson, Jr., DB/WR; Cale Berry, Jr., WR/DB
Other returning letterwinners: Justin Jiras, Jr., OL/DL; Ryker Jones, Sr., DB/WR; Nate Speers, Sr., LB/TE
Newcomers to watch: Quinton Tran, Sr., QB; Jacek Wauters, Jr., DL; Ben Haughey, Jr., RB/LB; Brody Fairholm, Jr., DL; Nolan Howell, Jr., DB/WR; Joey Dains, Jr., RB/LB; Kevin Howe, Jr., OL/DL
Playoff history: Eight appearances (2008-2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021).
District: Class 4A, District 3 (Burlington, North Scott, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Oskaloosa, Clinton)
District favorite: Defending 4A state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier went 13-0 on its way to the state title last season outscoring opponents by an average of 39.2 to 7.5 including a pair of wins by a combined score of 55-10 over its top district challenger this season North Scott.
Circle the date: September 1 at Solon. An old conference rivalry is renewed with these two WAMAC opponents meeting for the first time since 2013. An early test for the Clippers against a 3A playoff team from a year ago starts a seven-game stretch that includes six opponents that had winning records last season.
Headliner: Senior quarterback Quinton Tran. Tran completed 70 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,639 yards and 21 touchdowns with just four interceptions over the past two seasons at City High. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Tran passed for 714 yards and 11 touchdowns with one interception last season and should be a major impact piece in his first season leading the Clear Creek Amana offense.
Ready for a breakthrough: Senior Jackson Stevens has played all over the field in his first two varsity seasons. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound Stevens had 14 receptions for 152 yards two seasons ago as a slot receiver and made 26.5 tackles as a defensive back last season. Stevens makes the move to tailback this fall and should be in for a big final season.
Unsung hero: Already a three-year varsity contributor Vinnie Keller will be a key piece of what should be an improved Clipper offensive and defensive front. Keller (6-0, 270) showed major potential on the offensive line last season and is expected to get major time on the defensive line this season where he can be a disruptor in the middle.
Keep an eye on: Junior Brody Clubb makes the move to a two-way lineman this season after playing tight end opposite of his time at defensive end the past two years. Clubb (6-4, 255) holds and Iowa State offer and has been among the best defensive lineman in 4A the past two seasons racking up 83.5 tackles including 11 for loss and three sacks.
Remember the name: Owen Rosenberg. The junior receiver got some varsity experience last season as a sophomore catching two passes for 15 yards but the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder will look to become a major target in the passing game this fall.
Biggest strength: Experience. After playing a number of young players last season Clear Creek Amana enters 2023 a veteran football team. Of the 12 returning starters for the Clippers six are seniors and that doesn’t include Tran at quarterback who has played two years of varsity football.
Biggest question: How will the Clippers navigate a challenging schedule? Clear Creek Amana plays four consecutive games against teams that had a winning record last season with the four non-district opponents combining for 31 wins last season. That is before the Clippers face a district slate that includes defending state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier and 2022 semifinalist North Scott.
Quotable: “It’s no secret, the teams that have beaten us the two year’s I’ve been here they have physically overmatched us,” Clear Creek Amana coach Matt Haddy said. “There is no secret. There hasn’t been anybody that has beaten us that just aired it out. The teams that have beaten us the Xaviers the Pellas my first year here in the playoffs at Winterset, those teams have physically beaten us. We know, our kids know, if we want to take steps that direction that’s what we have to match.”
2023 Schedule
Date/Opponent/Record in 2022
August 25: Marion (5-4)
September 1: at Solon (8-3)
September 8: at Williamsburg (12-1)
September 15: Benton Community (6-4)
September 22: Oskaloosa (1-8)
September 29: at Burlington (5-4)
October 6: at North Scott (9-3)
October 13: Cedar Rapids Xavier (13-0)
October 20: at Clinton (2-7)
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