Football Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at City High
City High
Head coach: Mitchell Moore (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Aaron Stalkfleet; Ben Evans; Jordan Hanrahan; Jackson Edwards; Greg Brown; Tim Casey; Chris Smith; Jake Dyson; Ryan Majerus; Ja’Korey Walker; Ilias Montoya; Tyler Eads; Carter Seaton; Matt Meek; Tyler Dailey; Charles Johnson; Kenardo Rodney; Kieran Judge; Jason Dwight; Bryce Merges; Jeff Schebler
Last season: 6-4 (Class 5A Opening Round)
Returning starters: Bobby Bacon, Sr., QB; Gabe Egeland, Sr., RB; Parker Sutherland, Sr., TE; Tyler Rindels, Sr., OL; Calin Wagner, Sr., OL; Elijah Davis, Sr., OL; Connor Cross, Sr., WR/DB; Diame Lipanda, Sr., OL/DL; Jalyn Ford, Sr., DL; Raphael Etuma, Jr., DL; KP Estremera, Jr., LB; Blaine Heick, Jr., LB; Dominic Salibi, Sr., DB; Iyon Harris, Jr., DB
Newcomers to watch: Marshall Sheldon, Fr., LB
Playoff history: 31 appearances (1986, 1988-1990, 1992-2001, 2003-2013, 2015, 2016, 2020-2023). City High won 4A state titles in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 2009.
Circle the date: September 6 at Liberty High. The Little Hawks have lost two in a row and four of the last five to cross-town rival Liberty High after being outscored 21-0 in the second half of a 41-14 loss to the Lightning last season in North Liberty.
Headliner: Senior quarterback Bobby Bacon (6-2, 180) took over as the full-time starter in week three and emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the state ranking in the top-10 in Class 5A in passer rating (155.6), complete percentage (67.5), passing yards (2,193), passing touchdowns (18) and yards per completion (15.6) while leading the Little Hawks to a 6-2 record as a starter.
Ready for a breakthrough: Senior tight end Parker Sutherland became a solid option in the passing game last season making 18 receptions for 252 yards and four touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 215-pound Sutherland is an impressive athlete that should see his production soar this fall.
Unsung hero: Senior offensive lineman Calin Wagner (6-2, 250) is a three-year starter that will anchor the City High offensive line from his center spot and is critical leader on an experience Little Hawk line.
Keep an eye on: Senior Dominic Salibi (5-11, 165) is a three-year starter that is a big play waiting to happen on both sides of the ball. Salibi rushed for 420 yards two seasons ago as a sophomore before emerging as a lockdown corner back last season and will move to safety this season while also making an impact on offense.
Remember the name: KP Estremera flashed impressive potential while making 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks among 11 tackles last season. The 6-3, 190-pound linebacker is an impressive athlete and is a candidate for a major breakthrough this season.
Biggest strength: Offensive line. City High returns four players with starting experience up front led by three-year starters Wagner and senior North Illinois commit Tyler Rindels (6-4, 265). Add in seniors Elijah Davis (6-1, 260) and Diame Lipanda (6-3, 314) and the offensive line should be a major strength for the Little Hawks.
Biggest question: How do the new skill guys fit in? Bacon returns to lead what should be another explosive City High offense but there are a few questions surrounding the senior signal caller. City High must replace its top two receivers from last season that combined for 85 receptions, 1,365 yards and eight touchdowns along with 1,300-yard rusher Miles Parlet. Senior Gabe Egeland (5-6, 163) will take over in the backfield and returning senior pass catchers Connor Cross (6-0, 165) and Parker Sutherland (6-6, 215) should be in for big seasons.
Quotable: “We had a lot of guys that we lost from last year and now we have guys that need to step up,” Senior Connor Cross said. “We’ve all been friends and we’ve been playing football together since seventh grade and we’ve got a lot of team chemistry and if we keep working hard like we have been and we stay healthy and be productive I think it will help us take that next step to where we can hopefully win a state championship.”
2024 Schedule
Date/Opponent/Record in 2023
August 30: at Joliet Catholic, Illinois (10-4)
September 6: Liberty High (4-5)
September 13: Ames (3-6)
September 20: at West High (4-5)
September 26: at Cedar Rapids Kennedy (6-4)
October 4: Davenport Central (2-7)
October 11: Davenport North (2-7)
October 18: at Linn-Mar (4-6)
October 25: vs. Bettendorf (8-3)
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