Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

For the last seven years the Your Prep Sports area football team has recognized some of the best players in the area for their effort on the field.

The 2023 edition of the Your Prep Sports area team features players from all seven area teams including four teams that reached the postseason.

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

Liberty High senior quarterback Graham Beckman and Solon senior linebacker Brett White are the captains of the 2023 team.

Beckman is the offensive captain for the second year in a row after ranking third in the state in passing yards while leading the Lightning to a 4-5 record.

Beckman completed 60 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,593 yards with 28 touchdowns and rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

White is the defensive captain after leading Solon in tackles for the third straight season while helping the Spartans reach the Class 3A semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

The senior linebacker had a team-high 106 tackles with, 67 solo stops, 25 tackles for loss and five sacks.

2023 Your Prep Sports Area Football Team

Offense

*Quarterback: Graham Beckman, 6-1, 194, Sr., Liberty High – Among the most productive quarterbacks in the state over the past two seasons Beckman followed up a breakthrough junior season with an even more impressive senior campaign. Beckman ranked in the top two in Class 5A in completions (187), passing touchdowns (28), passing yards (2,593), total offensive yards (2,794) and total touchdowns (31). Over the past two seasons Beckman passed for 5,173 yards and 59 touchdowns and rushed for 521 and seven touchdowns in 20 games.

Quarterback: Bobby Bacon, 6-1, 165, Jr., City High – After taking over as the full-time starter in week three Bacon produced one of the best seasons for a quarterback in program history setting single season school records for completions and passing yards. Bacon completed 68 percent of his passes (141-of-209) while throwing for 2,193 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for three touchdowns.

Quarterback: Jack Wallace, 6-3, 210, Jr., West High – In his third season leading the West High offense Wallace threw for a career-high 1,807 yards while helping the Trojans to a 4-5 record. Wallace completed 57 percent of his passes, threw 13 touchdown passes and rushed for 199 yards and six touchdowns.

Quarterback: Gentry Dumont, 6-2, 205, Sr., Regina – A starter since his sophomore season Dumont had his best season as a senior ranking in the top five in Class 1A in passing yards, passing touchdowns, total touchdowns, total yards and quarterback rating. Dumont completed 64 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,390 yards and 26 touchdowns with just five interceptions and rushed for 168 yards and four touchdowns on his way to earning first team Class 1A all-state honors.

Running back: Miles Parlet, 5-9, 185, Sr., City High – In his first season as the City High lead back Parlet emerged as one of the most consistent runners in the state running at least 132 yards in six of the final eight games to help the Little Hawks return to the postseason. Parlet ranked in the top three in 5A in rushing yards (1,388) and all-purpose yards (1,697) and was sixth with 13 rushing touchdowns on his way to earning second-team all-state honors.

Running back: Jackson Stevens, 5-10, 155, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – Stevens did it all for Clear Creek Amana this season but was at his best in the offensive backfield where he became the first Clipper to rush for 1,000 yards since 2018 on his way to earning second team Class 4A all-state honors. Stevens rushed for 1,082 yards and 12 touchdowns, caught 12 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, had 54.5 tackles with eight tackles for loss two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Running back: Sutton Koller, 5-11, 165, Jr. Liberty High – On of the most versatile and productive backs in the state Koller accounted for 1,146 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns in a breakthrough junior season. Koller rushed for 330 yards and seven touchdowns but was at his best as a receiver ranking fourth in 5A with 59 receptions, seventh in 5A with 816 receiving yards and seventh with eight receiving touchdowns.

Wide receiver: Jackson Naeve, 6-1, 180, Sr., Regina – A first team Class 1A all-state pick, Naeve emerged as one of the premier offensive playmakers in the state this season ranking in the top 11 in the 1A in receptions (41), receiving yards (848), receiving touchdowns (11) and yards per reception (20.7). A threat in every phase of the game Naeve rushed for 344 yards and eight touchdowns, threw a touchdown pass, and led Regina with five interceptions. Naeve also averaged 29.3 yards per kick off returning with two touchdowns and 19.9 yards per punt return with a touchdown.

Wide receiver: Izaiah Loveless, 5-11, 165, Sr., West High – Loveless emerged as a big-play threat for the Trojans ranking second in Class 5A with 21.8 yards per reception. The senior receiver caught 30 passes for a team-high 655 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 19.5 yards per kick off return while earning first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors.

Wide receiver: Carsen Newton, 5-7, 140, Sr., City High – A first-team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference pick, Newton led City High in receptions for the second year in a row while posting career highs in both receptions and receiving yards. Newton caught 51 passes for 610 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 17.1 yards per kick off return.

Wide receiver: Dallas Miller, 5-10, 160, Jr., Liberty High – A breakout star for the Lightning Miller ranked in the top 10 in Class 5A in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in a stellar junior season that saw him earn first team all-district and all-MVC honors. Miller led 5A with 12 touchdown receptions, ranked third in 5A with 60 receptions and eighth with 804 receiving yards.

Wide receiver: Jeremiah Madlock, 6-0, 175, Sr., City High – The big-play threat in the Little Hawk passing attack Madlock led Class 5A in yards per catch at 22.2 while leading City High in receiving yards. Madlock caught 34 passes for a team-high 755 yards and six touchdowns.

Offensive line: Mason Scott, 6-1, 220, Sr., Solon – A two-time all-district performer Scott was a first-team all-district selection this season after an impressive senior season. Scott helped pave the way for a Spartan offense that scored 35 ore more points seven times during a 10-game winning streak that sent Solon to the 3A semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

Offensive line: Trey Dervrich 6-2, 232, Sr., City High – A repeat selection on the Your Prep Sports all-area team Dervrich was the anchor up front for a City High team that went 6-4 and advanced to the 5A playoffs. A Carnegie Mellon University recruit, Dervrich earned Mississippi Valley Conference first-team honors after helping City High average 33.5 points, 182 rushing yards and 436 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Drew Streb 6-2, 235, Sr., Regina – A two-way standout that was a force at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball Streb was a second team all-state pick as an offensive lineman after helping the Regals to a 9-2 record and a spot in the 1A quarterfinals. Streb was named district offensive line MVP after helping Regina average 38.7 points, 127 rushing yards and 356 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Grant Wilson 5-10, 235, Jr., Solon – Already a two-year starter at center Wilson has emerged as a force in the middle of the Solon offensive line. Wilson earned Class 3A second-team all-state honors after helping Solon average 30.3 points, 301 total yards and 163 rushing yards per game.

Offensive line: Luke Ernst, 6-4, 240, Sr., West High – A stalwart on the West High offensive front Ernst was a first team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference pick following a strong senior season in which he helped the Trojans average 32 points, 152 rushing yards and 356 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Will Quast-Villafana, 6-1, 210, Sr., Liberty High – Liberty High was among the most productive offenses in Class 5A this season and the play of Quast-Villafana up front played a crucial role in that offensive success. Quast-Villafana earned first team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors after paving the way for the Lightning to average 6.7 yards per play and 37.6 points and 442 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Carson Nash, 5-10, 225, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – A leader up front the past two seasons for the Clippers Nash played center, tackle and guard this season on a Clear Creek Amana front that was shuffled often due to injuries. Nash helped the Clippers average 20.2 points, 161 rushing yards and 274 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Max Lodge, 6-1, 225, Sr., West Branch – The strength of the team for West Branch was up front and the play of Lodge was a big reason the Bears were again among the best offensive lines in Class 1A. A three-year starter, Lodge helped the Bears average 23.2 points, 171 rushing yards and 283 total yards per game.

Kicker: Grant Knipper, 6-0, 175, Sr., Solon – Knipper was consistent a consistent weapon in special teams for the Spartans connecting on 39-of-42 PAT attempts and converting 5-of-9 field goal attempts with a long of 37.

Defense

Defensive line: Logan Wright, 6-3, 235, Sr., West Branch – Among the best two-way lineman in the state Wright earned first-team Class 1A all-state honors for the second year in a row following a senior season in which he ranked third on the team in tackles from his defensive tackle spot. Wright had 42 tackles and led the Bears with 20 tackles for loss to go with 2.5 sacks a fumble recovery and an interception.

Defensive line: Dantrell Skinner, 6-0, 210, Sr., Liberty High – One of the best defensive linemen in 5A Skinner capped an impressive career with a strong senior season in which he had career highs in both tackles for loss and sacks. Skinner ranked third on the team with 38.5 tackles from his defensive end spot and led the Lightning with 3.5 sacks and was second on the team with 18.5 tackles for loss.

Defensive line: Jack Clark, 6-2, 215, Sr., Regina – A disruptive defensive lineman Clark was a key performer for a Regina defensive front that helped the Regals hold opponents to 14.6 points and 225 total yards per game. Clark ranked third on the team with 44 tackles from his defensive end spot and had a team-high six sacks among eight tackles for loss while earning all-district honors.

Defensive line: Tono Cornell, 6-2, 294, Sr., City High – A Northern Iowa recruit, Cornell was an anchor up front on a City High defense that held opponents to 25.2 points and 299 total yards per game. Cornell had 18.5 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss from his defensive tackle spot while earning first team all-district and second team all-MVC honors.

Defensive line: Vinnie Keller, 6-0, 270, Jr., Clear Creek Amana – A starter on both the offensive and defensive lines Keller emerged as a major force on the Clipper defensive line during a dominant junior season in which he ranked fifth on the team in tackles from his defensive tackle spot. Keller had 31.5 tackles including six tackles for loss and recovered a fumble.

Defensive line: Ben Kampman, 6-3, 210, Sr., Solon – Kampman earned first-team all-state honors for the second consecutive season after capping a stellar prep career by leading the Spartans in sacks for the second straight season. A three-year varsity contributor, Kampman had a career-high 8.5 sacks among 14.5 tackles for loss this season and closed his career with 31.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks.

*Linebacker: Brett White 6-0, 210, Sr., Solon – A three-time all-state pick, White earned first-team all-state honors for the second consecutive season after posting career-highs in total tackles (106), sacks (5) and tackles for loss (25). White ranked in the top three in Class 3A in total tackles, solo tackles and tackles for loss and recovered three fumbles helping Solon to a 10-2 record. A three-time Your Prep Sports all-area pick White finished his prep career with 277 tackles, 191 solo tackles, 13 sacks, 54.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

Linebacker: Santana Miller, 5-11, 205, Sr., West High – Miller added to his reputation as a big-play linebacker during a stellar senior season in which he led 5A with three defensive touchdowns. A Wayne State recruit, Miller made a team-high 73 tackles including 39 solo stops and returned two interceptions and a fumble for touchdowns.

Linebacker: Sam Kueter, 6-4, 200, Sr., City High – Kueter made the move from defensive end to inside linebacker prior to his senior season and produced, ranking second on the team in tackles while earning first team all-district and all-MVC honors. Kueter had 55.5 tackles including 36 solo stops and 4.5 tackles for loss and recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown.

Linebacker: Gavin Benton, 5-11, 190, Sr., Liberty High – Benton bounced back from a knee injury that ended his junior season to lead the Lightning in tackles in a strong senior campaign. A first-team all-district and Mississippi Valley Conference pick, Benton led Liberty High in total tackles (59), solo tackles (31) and tackles for loss (18.5) and added 1.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Ben Haughey, 5-10, 175, Jr., Clear Creek Amana – In his first season as a starter Haughey stepped up leading the Clippers in tackles while earning first-team all-district honors. Haughey had a team-high 56 tackles from his inside linebacker spot, making four tackles for loss and two sacks.

Linebacker: Brayden Moore, 5-9, 185, Sr, Solon – A two-year starter Moore teamed with White to give the Spartans one of the best linebacking duos in Class 3A. Moore ranked second on the team with 45 tackles including 8.5 for loss on his way to earning second-team all-state honors.

Linebacker: Devin Anderson, 5-11, 200, Sr., Liberty High – One of the most consistent defenders for the Lightning over the past two seasons Anderson closed his career with a strong senior season in which he ranked second on the team with 46 tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss. Over the past two seasons Anderson had 93.5 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Linebacker: Reese Trepanier, 6-1, 210, Sr., West Branch – The emotional leader for the Bears on both sides of the ball Trepanier turned in another stellar season ranking second on the team with a career-high 49.5 tackles while earning Class 1A second-team all-state honors. A physical inside linebacker, Trepanier had 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and recovered a fumble helping West Branch hold opponents to 15.6 points and 256 total yards per game.

Defensive back: Drew Larson, 6-1, 175, Sr., City High – The all-time leading passer in City High history with 3,513 career passing yards Larson earned all-state honors as a defensive back for the second straight season after an injury in week two limited him to the defensive side of the ball. An Iowa recruit, Larson had 9.5 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery from his safety spot on his way to being named to the 5A all-state first team.

Defensive back: Jack McCarty, 5-10, 175, Sr., Solon – The emergence of McCarty as a key contributor in the secondary was critical for a Solon defense that ranked among the best in 3A this season holding opponents to 17.3 points per game. McCarty ranked third on the team with 40 tackles, including three for loss, and intercepted a pass from his safety spot while earning first-team all-state honors.

Defensive back: Cale Seydel, 5-10, 165, Sr., West Branch – A jack of all trades for West Branch Seydel did his best work in the defensive secondary where he racked up 20 tackles and picked off a team-high five passes. Seydel also caught a team-high 24 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 353 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 21.2 yards per kickoff return.

Defensive back: Dom Salibi, 5-10, 170, Jr., City High – In his first full-time varsity season Salibi emerged as a lockdown cornerback earning first team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors. Salibi had a team-high four interceptions, returning one for an interception, to go with 11 tackles.

Defensive back: Ty Joss, 6-0, 175, Sr., Regina – Joss emerged as a playmaker on both sides of the ball for Regina in a stellar senior season in which he led the Regals in tackles and ranked second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. An all-district selection, Joss was made a team-high 45.5 tackles including 31 solo stops, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks and intercepted two passes from his safety spot.

Defensive back: Jake Mitchell, 5-5, 135, Sr., City High – In his first season as a varsity starter Mitchell made a major impact in the City High secondary leading the Little Hawks in tackles while earning first team all-district and all-MVC honors. Mitchell led the Little Hawks with 59 tackles and 47 solo stops from his safety spot and had seven tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.

Defensive back: Mason Woods, 6-2, 200, Jr., West High – A versatile playmaker on both sides of the ball Woods earned first team all-district honors following a junior season in which he led the Trojans in receptions and ranked second on the team in interceptions. Woods caught a team-high 35 passes for 535 yards and three touchdowns and made 17.5 tackles with three tackles for loss and two interceptions from his safety spot.

Punter: Evan Anderson, 6-0, 220, Jr. West High – A do-it-all special teamer for the Trojans Anderson was at his best at punter averaging 35.6 yards on 35 punts.

*-Captains

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