Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The Your Prep Sports area football team annually recognizes some of the best players in the area for their effort on the field.

The 2024 edition of the Your Prep Sports area team features players from all seven area teams after every team in the Your Prep Sports area reached the postseason.

This year’s squad features college recruits, all-state, all-district and all-conference performance as well as school record setters and college recruits.

West High senior quarterback Jack Wallace and Liberty High senior two-way standout Sutton Koller are the captains of the 2024 team.

A University of St. Thomas recruit, Wallace led Class 5A in total touchdowns, passing touchdowns and passing yards and ranked second in total offensive yards and quarterback rating while helping the Trojans reach the Class 5A quarterfinals.

Wallace broke five West High school records this season including career-passing yards, career passing touchdowns and single season touchdown passes.

Wallace closed his career with 7,830 total yards and 84 touchdowns.

Koller is the defensive captain after leading Liberty High to the most successful season in program history.

A Northern Iowa recruit Koller accounted for more than 1,300 total yards and 18 touchdowns on offense and led Liberty High with 76.5 tackles including 9.5 for loss and intercepted two passes from his safety spot.

This year Your Prep Sports all-area teams features nine repeat selectins with Wallace, Koller, Bobby Bacon, Dallas Miller, Grant Wilson, Vinnie Keller, Mason Woods, Dominic Salibi and Evan Anderson all appearing on the team for the second consecutive season.

The 2024 Your Prep Sports Area Football Team

Offense

Quarterback: Jack Wallace, 6-3, 220, Sr., West High – The all-time career passing leader at West High with more than 7,000 yards Wallace completed an impressive four-year career with his best season. Wallace led Class 5A in total touchdowns (41), passing touchdowns (33) and passing yards (2,792) and ranked second in total offensive yards (3,220) and quarterback rating (200.6) on his way to earning district offensive player of the year and first-team all-state honors. Wallace completed 71 percent of his passes, finished with a 33-4 touchdown to interception ratio and rushed for 428 yards and eight touchdowns.

Quarterback: Reece Rettig, 5-10, 165, Jr., Liberty High – In his first season leading the Liberty High offense Rettig emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the state while leading Liberty High to the state semifinals for the first time in program history. Rettig led 5A in quarterback rating (202.8), and total offensive yards (3,272) and ranked second in passing yards (2,719), passing touchdowns (32) and total offensive touchdowns (39) on his way to earning second team Class 5A all-state honors. Rettig completed 73 percent of his passes, had 32 touchdowns to just three interceptions and rushed for 482 yards and six touchdowns.

Quarterback: Bobby Bacon, 6-2, 175, Sr., City High – One of the most prolific passers in the state the past two seasons Bacon set five City High school records as a senior, including career passing yards, on his way to earning district offensive player of the year honors. A Pittsburg State recruit, Bacon completed 69 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns and also rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Running back: Eddie Johnson, 6-2, 210, Sr., Solon – A physical presence in the Spartan backfield Johnson earned first-team Class 3A all-state honors after ranking seventh in 3A in rushing yards and fourth in rushing touchdowns. Johnson scored a touchdown in 10 of 11 games this season rushing for multiple touchdowns six times and rushed for 100 or more yards eight times while racking up 1,257 yards and 18 touchdowns and also catching 20 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns.

Running back: Savion Miller, 5-11, 180, Soph., Regina – A rising star in the Regal backfield Miller established himself as one of the best backs in Class 1A this season. Miller rushed for a team-high 922 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.8 yards per carry and also caught 16 passes for 192 yards on his way to earning Class 2A second-team all-state honors.

Running back: Dawson Kahl, 6-2, 190, Soph., City High – In his first season at City High Kahl emerged as one of the top young backs in the state rushing for a team-high 941 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry and earning first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-district honors. Kahl had at least 100 yards rushing and a touchdown in each of his final five games and scored two or more touchdowns five times this season.

Running back: Butali Butali 5-8, 170, Sr., West High – A crucial piece in the development of the West High offense this season was the performance of Butali in the backfield as the senior emerged as a workhorse runner for the Trojans. Butali earned first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and second-team all-district honors after leading the Trojans with 850 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Wide receiver: Mason Woods, 6-2, 220, Sr., West High – An Iowa recruit, Woods cemented his status as one of the state’s top pass catchers with a monster senior season in which he ranked in the top five in Class 5A in every major receiving statistical category. Woods was a 5A first-team all-state pick after catching 54 passes for 1,057 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 19.6 yards per catch.

Wide receiver: Dallas Miller, 5-11, 170, Sr., Liberty High – Among the best all-around players in the state Miller was at his best on offense where he was among the most dynamic players in the state. Miller led Class 5A in both receptions and receiving yards and ranked sixth in receiving touchdowns while earning Class 5A first-team all-state honors. A University of Sioux Falls recruit, Miller caught 65 passes for 1,078 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed for 121 yards and passed for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Miller also had 26 tackles and four interceptions, averaged 17.6 yards per punt return and 23.7 yards per kick return.

Wide receiver: Tate Wallace, 6-2, 225, Soph., Regina – An impressive two-way starter a year ago Wallace followed up a standout freshman season with a breakthrough sophomore campaign in which he led Regina in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns while also making 27.5 tackles with four for loss and a sack. Wallace earned Class 2A second-team all-state honors after making 51 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns.

Wide receiver: Maddox Kelley, 5-10, 175, Soph., Solon – In his first varsity season Kelley established himself as a key performer for the Spartans on both sides of the ball leading Solon in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches and ranking second on the team in tackles while leading Solon with four interceptions. Kelley had 54 receptions for 675 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed for 56 yards while earning Class 3A second-team all-state honors.

Wide receiver: Collin Decker, 6-3, 210, Sr., Liberty High – Part of one of the best receiving groups in the state Decker had his own breakthrough season as a senior earning first-team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors after ranking second on the team in receptions. Decker caught 47 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns.

Tight end: Parker Sutherland, 6-6, 224, Sr., City High – A Pittsburg State recruit, Sutherland followed up a strong junior season with a stellar senior campaign in which he led City High in receiving yards (439) and receiving touchdowns (7) on his way to earning Class 5A second-team all-state honors. Sutherland caught 49 passes for 691 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Offensive line: Tyler Rindels, 6-4, 265, Sr., City High – The offensive line led the way for City High all season and Rindels was the anchor of a talented Little Hawk front five.  A Northern Illinois recruit, Rindels earned first-team Class 5A all-state honors after helping pave the way for a City High offense that averaged 38 points and 450 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Colin Whitters, 6-4, 300, Jr., West High – A starter on the defensive line as a sophomore Whitters established himself as one of the state’s best offensive linemen and a major college prospect during an impressive junior season. Whitters was a Class 5A first-team all-state pick after anchoring a West High offensive line that paved the way for a Trojan offense that averaged 36.6 points and 409 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Eric Arzu, 6-2, 225, Sr., Liberty High – A first-year starter at right tackle Arzu emerged as an anchor on a Liberty High offensive line that was critical in helping the Lightning to the best season in program history. Arzu earned first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-district honors after helping the Lightning average 40.3 points, 192 rushing yards and 433 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Grant Wilson, 5-11, 245, Sr., Solon – A three-year starter at center Wilson was a force in the middle of the Solon offensive line earning all-state honors for the second consecutive season. The Spartans’ leader up front, Wilson was a first-team Class 3A all-state selection after helping Solon average 31.6 points, 184 rushing yards and 363 total yards per game and advance to 3A quarterfinals.

Offensive line: Matt Colony, 6-2, 240, Sr., Regina – The anchor of the Regina offensive line Colony was named district offensive lineman of the year and second-team Class 1A all-state after helping the Regals to a 9-2 record and a spot in the 1A quarterfinals. Colony helped pave the way for Regina to average 28.7 points and 362 total yards per game and also ranked fourth on the team with 41 tackles including eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Offensive line: Calin Wagner, 6-2, 250, Sr., City High – A three-year starter Wagner earned the reputation as the most consistent player on a City High offensive line that ranked as one of the best in Class 5A. Wagner started at center this season and earned first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-district honors after helping the Little Hawks average 229 rushing yards per game and 6 yards per carry.

Offensive line: Caleb Burnett, 6-4, 255, Sr., Liberty High – A two-year starter and leader on the Liberty High offensive line Burnett earned first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and second-team all-district honors after a strong senior season. Burnett helped pave the way for a Lightning offense that averaged 40.3 points and 433 total yards per game from his left tackle spot helping lead Liberty High to a 10-2 mark and a spot in the 5A semifinals.

Utility: Kyle Tracy, 5-10, 175, Jr., Regina – Tracy excelled in his first season leading the Regal offensive accounting for more than 2,600 total yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Regals to a 9-2 record and spot in the Class 1A quarterfinals. The district offensive most valuable player and a Class 1A second-team all-state pick, Tracy completed 62 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,901 yards and 19 touchdowns and also rushed for 751 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns.

Utility: Ty Bell, 6-1, 195, Sr., Solon – A two-year starter at quarterback, Bell was among the most improved players in 3A this season while helping Solon to an 8-3 record and a spot in the Class 3A quarterfinals. Bell completed 63 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,831 yards and 19 touchdowns and also rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Utility: Conlan Poynton, 5-11, 180, Jr., Clear Creek Amana – Poynton was among the most productive quarterbacks in Class 4A this season accounting for 28 touchdowns and more than 2,100 yards of total offense while leading Clear Creek Amana to a 6-4 record and a spot in the Class 4A playoffs. Poynton rushed for a team-high 901 yards and 16 touchdowns and completed 66 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Defense

Defensive line: Brody Clubb, 6-4, 255, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – A four-year starter on the defensive line Clubb closed his career with a bang earning first-team Class 4A all-state honors and district defensive lineman of the year honors. A North Dakota State recruit, Clubb ranked fourth on the team with 29.5 tackles with six tackles for loss. Clubb closed his career with 129 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Defensive line: Ethan Barber, 6-0, 230, Sr., Liberty High – The emotional leader of the Liberty High defense Barber brought energy and production to the Lightning defensive line. Barber earned first team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors after making 30.5 tackles and leading the Lightning with 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

Defensive line: Lucas Feuerbach, 6-2, 250, Soph., Solon – A standout on both sides of the ball for the Spartans Feuerbach earned second team Class 3A all-state honors as an offensive lineman but was just as important to the Spartans success on defense. Feuerbach ranked sixth on the team in tackles with 28.5, including 22 solo stops and had five tackles for loss while a sack while helping Solon reach the Class 3A quarterfinals.

Defensive line: Noah Clark, 6-0, 220, Sr., Regina – A force on both lines for the Regals Clark did some of his best work on the defensive line where he led Regina in tackles for loss and sacks. Clark earned first-team all-district and second-team Class 1A all-state honors after making 32 tackles including 12 for loss and five sacks to help Regina to a 9-2 record and spot in the 1A quarterfinals.

Defensive line: Vinnie Keller, 6-0, 270, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – A stalwart for the Clippers on both lines over the past three seasons Keller did his best work on the defensive line where he ranked fifth on the team in tackles each of the past two seasons. This season Keller had 25.5 tackles including 14 solo stops and had 6.5 tackles for loss including three sacks while earning second-team all-district honors.

Defensive line: Raphael Etuma, 6-2, 200, Jr., City High – After showing his potential last season as a sophomore Etuma emerged as a disruptive playmaker on the City High defense line earning first team all-district honors after leading the Little Hawks in tackles for loss and sacks. Etuma ranked seventh on the team with 29 tackles from his defensive end spot and led City High with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Defensive line: Tate Frantz, 6-0, 200, Sr., West Branch – A first-team all-district pick as an offensive lineman Frantz was a two-way standout for the Bears that showed a knack for making the big play from his defensive tackle spot. Frantz ranked third on the team with 47.5 tackles, was second with 12.5 tackles for loss and third with 3.5 sacks and returned a fumble and blocked punt for touchdowns.

Linebacker: Julian Manson, 6-3, 215, Jr., West High – One of the biggest breakthrough stars in the state this season Manson was a standout on both sides of the ball earning first-team Class 5A all-state honors after helping West High return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Manson was incredible as a wide receiver on offense ranking in the top five in 5A in receptions (52), receiving yards (867) and receiving touchdowns (13) but was every bit as valuable on defense where he led West High with 86.5 tackles including 34 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss from his linebacker spot.

Linebacker: Owen Drapeaux, 6-1, 210, Sr., Liberty High – Drapeaux led the Lightning in rushing each of the past two seasons and rolled up 1,764 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his three-year varsity career. Despite that offensive production Drapeaux was even more important to Liberty this season for his play on defense. Drapeaux ranked fourth on the team with 44 tackles including six tackles for loss and two sacks on his way to earning first-team all-district and all-Mississippi Valley Conference and second-team Class 5A all-state honors.

Linebacker: Kyler Jensen, 6-0, 215, Jr., Solon – The next in a long line of stellar Solon linebackers Jensen earned second-team Class 3A all-state honors after leading the Spartans in tackles, solo tackles and tackles for loss. Jensen made a team-high 63.5 tackles including 42 solo stops from his middle linebacker spot and also had 10 tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Marshall Sheldon, 6-0, 173, Fr., City High – A rare freshman starter Sheldon didn’t just play in his debut season he produced leading City High in tackles on his way to earning first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and first team all-district honors. Sheldon led City High with 69 tackles and ranked second on the team with 47 solo stops to go with 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Linebacker: Will Aitchison, 5-10, 180, Sr., Regina – The leader of the Regina defense Aitchison was a unanimous all-district selection and first-team Class 1A all-state pick after leading the Regals in tackles. Aitchison had 66 tackles including 49 solo stops and four tackles for loss, recovered a fumble and picked off a pass. Aitchison also caught 51 passes for 527 yards and four touchdowns.

Linebacker: Cooper Gates, 5-11, 185, Jr., West Branch – An absolute disruptor from his middle linebacker spot Gates was named 1A, District 5 defensive player of the year after leading the Bears in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in a breakthrough junior season. Gates had 61.5 tackles, including 35 solo stops, with 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks and also rushed for 492 yards and five touchdowns.

Linebacker: Trace Robertson, 6-0, 170, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – After a strong junior season in which he ranked third on the team in tackles Robertson took his game to another level this fall earning first-team all-district and second-team Class 4A all-state honors after leading the Clippers in tackles, solo tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. Robertson had 63 tackles, 42 solo tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Mason Waterbury, 6-1, 180, Sr., Liberty High – Waterbury stepped into a starting position for the first time this season and flourished, earning first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-district honors after ranking fifth on the team in tackles. Waterbury had 39 tackles including 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks and recovered a fumble.

Linebacker: Declan Bunn, 5-10, 200, Sr., West High – As tough and steady as they come, Bunn ranked second on the team in tackles for the second consecutive season making a career-high 70.5 tackles including a team-high 38 solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss while earning first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and second-team all-district honors. An academic all-state selection, Bunn logged 125.5 total tackles including 10 for loss the past two seasons.

Linebacker: Dylan Schrock, 5-11, 195, Jr., Clear Creek Amana – Schrock was a key piece of the Clear Creek Amana defense ranking second on the team in tackles, solo tackles and tackles for loss from his linebacker spot. In his first extended varsity season Schrock had 61.5 tackles, 34 solo stops, 11.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks and also intercepted two passes.

Defensive back: Sutton Koller, 5-11, 180, Sr., Liberty High – A dynamic player on both sides of the ball the play of Koller on defense played a pivotal role in Liberty High posting the best season in program history. Koller accounted for 1,388 yards and 18 touchdowns on offense but was even better on the defensive side of the ball. A Northern Iowa recruit, Koller earned first-team all-state honors after leading Liberty High with 76.5 tackles and 48 solo tackles from his safety spot. Koller had 9.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions returning one for a touchdown.

Defensive back: Logan Laubenthal, 5-10, 160, Jr., Liberty High – Laubenthal showed a knack for the big play during a breakout junior season in which he earned second-team Class 5A all-state honors after leading Liberty High with four interceptions. A first-team all-district selection and second-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference pick Laubenthal ranked sixth on the team with 33.5 tackles.

Defensive back: Owen Rosenberg, 6-2, 180, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – A dynamic athlete Rosenberg was as impactful as any player in the state this season making a mark in all three phases of the game while helping the Clippers return to the 4A postseason. Rosenberg was at his best as a defensive back where he ranked second in the state with eight interceptions to go with 24.5 tackles on his way to being named district defensive player of the year and first-team Class 4A all-state. Rosenberg also led the Clippers with 33 receptions for 662 yards and four touchdown catches, averaged 25 yards per kick off return and 14 yards per punt return.

Defensive back: Pryor Reiners, 5-10, 160, Soph., Liberty High – In his first season in the varsity lineup Reiners became a stalwart in the Lightning secondary. Reiners racked up 31 tackles with one for loss and intercepted three passes on his way to earning second-team all-conference and all-district honors.

Defensive back: Dominic Salibi, 6-1, 183, Sr., City High – A two-way standout that accounted for 818 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns on offense Salibi was perhaps most valuable as a lock down defender in the City High secondary. Salibi was a first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-district defensive back after making 17.5 tackles including 11 solo stops.

Defensive back: Ethan Headings, 6-2, 185, Jr., West High – Already a two-year starter Headings had his breakthrough season this fall earning first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-district honors after ranking in the top four on the team in tackles, solo tackles and tackles for loss. Headings had a career-high 58 tackles including 32 solo stops and three tackles for loss and picked off a pass from his safety spot.

Defensive back: Drew Greve, 6-0, 150, Jr., Regina – Greve was an eraser in the backend for Regina earning Class 1A second-team all-state honors after leading the Regals in interceptions while forcing five turnovers. Greve had 24 tackles including 1.5 from his safety spot and also intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble on his way to being a unanimous all-district pick.

Special Teams

Kicker: Adam Salem, 6-1, 160, Jr., West High – A steady piece of the West High special teams Salem completed a second straight season without missing a PAT. Salem converted all 45 of his extra point attempts this season and is 58-of-58 on PATs the past two seasons. He also went 4-of-7 on field goal attempts this season with a long of 34.

Punter: Evan Anderson, 6-0, 235, Sr., West High – A three-year starter, Anderson increased his punting average each of the past two seasons while establishing himself as one of the best in the state. Anderson averaged a career-best 40.5 yards per punt on 22 punts this season while earning first-team all-district honors this season.

Returner: Brandon Pedersen, 6-1, 175, Jr., West Branch – A key player for West Branch on both offense (15 receptions for 330 yards and seven touchdowns) and defense (23.5 tackles and an interception) Pedersen proved equally as dangerous on special teams. Pedersen averaged 28.6 yards per kick off return including a 92-yarder for a touchdown in a playoff win over Sigourney/Keota and averaged 16.1 yards on 13 punt returns and returned one 54 yards for a touchdown.

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