Editors note: This is the first installment in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2025 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 50 is an eight-story series that highlights 50 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

The series begins with the most high-profile of all the positions on the field – quarterback.

Over the course of the next several days seven other position groups – running back, pass catchers, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and special teams will all be featured.

Here is a look at the top returning quarterbacks in the Your Prep Sports area for the 2025 season.

Reece Rettig

Senior, Liberty High

Rettig quickly emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the state last season demonstrating dynamic playmaking ability while leading Liberty High to the best season in program history.

In his first season directing the Liberty High offense Rettig passed for 2,719 yards and 32 touchdowns while leading the Lightning to a 10-2 record and the program’s first state semifinal appearance.

During his breakout junior season Rettig led Class 5A in quarterback rating (202.8) and total offensive yards (3,272) and ranked second in 5A in passing yards (2,719), passing touchdowns (32) and total offensive touchdowns (39).

One of only two quarterbacks in the state last season to throw for 2,500 yards and rush for 450 yards, Rettig has a skill set as diverse and complete as any quarterback in the state.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Rettig showed true dual-threat abilities last season rushing for 482 yards and six touchdowns while flashing an ability to make plays, either running or throwing, outside of the pocket.

An accurate passer, Rettig was off the charts efficient last season ranking third in the state in completion percentage (73.1 %) while throwing 32 touchdowns to just three interceptions.

A second team Class 5A all-state selection last season, Rettig threw for 200 yards or more in eight games last season capped by a career-high 334-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 38-35 semifinal loss to Southeast Polk.

Retting directed a Liberty High offense that averaged 40.3 points and 433 total yards per game and scored 35 or more points six times in 2024.

Kyle Tracy

Senior, Regina

Tracy impressed in his first season directing the Regina offense accounting for more than 2,600 total yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Regals to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Class 1A quarterfinals.

Among the most athletic quarterbacks in Class 1A, Tracy showed his versatility behind center last season when he passed for 1,901 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushed for 751 yards and nine touchdowns and caught a 43-yard touchdown pass on his way to earning second team Class 1A all-state honors as an offensive utility selection.

The speed, athleticism and toughness Tracy brings to the quarterback spot adds an element to the Regina run game and Tracy was also dangerous as a scrambler pulling the ball down and running in passing situations.

However, he showed strong poise in the pocket as well as an ability to make throws on the move a year ago when he ranked in the top 10 in Class 1A in passing yards, passer rating, touchdown passed and completion percentage.

Tracy completed 61.5 percent of his passes (131-213) as a first-year starter last fall, third best in 1A, and should see that number climb this season with a year of experience under his belt.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Tracy posted a passer rating of 158.4 and had 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions on his way to being named offensive MVP of Class 1A, District 5.

Conlon Poynton

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

Poynton came on strong down the stretch last season to help Clear Creek Amana advance to the Class 4A playoffs and enters this season as one of the most productive returning quarterbacks in 4A.

In his first season leading the Clear Creek Amana offense Poynton accounted for more than 2,100 yards of total offense and 28 touchdowns helping the Clippers to a 6-4 record and a spot in the 4A opening round.

The more Poynton played the better he got last season.

Poynton accounted for 225 total yards per game over the last seven games last fall as Clear Creek Amana went 5-2 down the stretch while averaging 29.6 points per game.

The 5-11, 190-pound Poynton did some of his best work as a runner last season, rushing for a team-high 901 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

An elusive yet powerful runner, Poynton rushed for 100 yards in each of the first four games last season and had at least 48 yards on the ground in all 10 games.

Poynton isn’t just a runner.

Last season he showed a strong and accurate throwing arm, passing for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Poynton completed 66 percent of his passes last season (110-167) and averaged 11.2 yards per completion.

Again, Poynton was at his best down the stretch, passing for 617 yards in the final three games of the season including a career-high 273 yards in a week nine win over Clinton.

Poynton should make more strides this season in his second season in the Clipper offense and with a year of experience to his credit.

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