Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The Your Prep Sports football team annually recognizes some of the best area players for their performance on the field this season.

The 2025 season was a memorable one in the Your Prep Sports area.

Five area teams qualified for the playoffs with Solon advancing to the 3A semifinals and Regina and Liberty High each reaching the state title game.

The 2025 edition of the Your Prep Sports all-area team features players from all seven area teams.

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

Liberty High senior quarterback Reece Rettig and West High senior linebacker Julian Manson are the captains of the 2025 Your Prep Sports all-area team.

Rettig is the offensive captain after leading the Lightning to its second consecutive Class 5A title game appearance and the first state title game appearance in program history.

The senior quarterback earned 5A player of the year honors after passing for 2,465 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 908 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Manson is the defensive player of the year after helping West High to an 8-3 record with loss to the two 5A state finalists and a spot in the state quarterfinals.

An Iowa recruit, Manson led West High with 67 tackles including six tackles for loss and also caught 31 passes for 560 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns.

This year Your Prep Sports all-area teams features 17 repeat selections.

Retting and Woods along with Regina’s Savion Miller, Tate Wallace, Kyle Tracy and Drew Greve, City High’s Raph Etuma and Marshall Sheldon, Solon’s Maddox Kelley, Lucas Feuerbach and Kyler Jensen, West High’s Collin Whitters and Eethan Headings, Liberty High’s Logan Laubenthal and Pryor Reiners and West Branch’s Cooper Gates all appearing on the team for the second consecutive season.

The 2025 Your Prep Sports Area Football Team

Offense

*Quarterback: Reece Rettig, 5-10, 175, Sr., Liberty High – The Class 5A player of the year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association, Rettig completed 71 percent of his passes (239-of-335) while throwing for 2,465 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 908 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading the Lightning to the first state title game in program history.

Quarterback: Kyle Tracy, 5-11, 180, Sr., Regina – A versatile, dual-threat quarterback Tracy was among the most efficient and productive signal callers in the state this season while leading Regina to a Class 1A runner-up finish. Tracy completed 73 percent of his passes (124-of-169) while throwing for 2,317 yards and 35 touchdowns and also rushed for 616 yards and 12 touchdowns. A St. John’s University recruit, Tracy was a first-team all-state selection after leading 1A in both total touchdowns and passing touchdowns and ranking third in passing yards.

Quarterback: Reece Wheeler, 5-11, 170, Jr., West High – In his first season leading the West High offense Wheeler excelled leading the Trojans to an 8-3 record and a spot in the 5A quarterfinals. Wheeler completed 61 percent of his passes while ranking fourth in 5A in passing yards (2,280) and passing touchdowns (22) and also rushed for 213 yards and four touchdowns.

Quarterback: Eli Kampman, 6-2, 187, Sr., Solon – One of the most productive quarterbacks in Class 3A, Kampman directed Solon to an 11-1 record and a spot in state semifinals in his first season leading the Spartan offense. A first-team Class 3A all-state pick, Kampman completed 61 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,230 yards and 29 touchdowns and also rushed for a team-high 488 yards and five touchdowns.  

Running back: Savion Miller, 5-10, 200, Jr., Regina – Already widely considered one of the best running backs and top overall talents in the state Miller put together a breakthrough season in which he averaged 9.8 yards per offensive touch and scored 25 touchdowns. A first team all-state selection, Miller rushed for a career-high 1,068 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry and caught 16 passes for 338 yards and nine touchdowns.

Running back: Campbell Janis, 5-9, 175, Sr., West High – An honorable mention Class 5A all-state selection, Janis turned in one of the best rushing seasons in program history while helping the Trojans reach the state quarterfinals. Janis ranked third in 5A in rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns (15) and his 1,338 yards on the ground was the sixth highest total in program history. Janis also caught five passes for 68 yards and ranked fourth on the team with 36 tackles.

Running back: Keaton Gates, 5-10, 165, Jr., West Branch – In his first season as the lead back for the Bears Gates delivered ranking fifth in Class 2A in rushing with 1,289 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry while scoring 13 rushing touchdowns. Gates had four games with over 200 rushing yards while becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Bears since 2022.

Running back: Brody Beaver, 5-11, 180, Jr., Liberty High – An all-purpose back, Beaver rushed for 648 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry and also caught 30 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown.

Tight end: Tate Wallace, 6-3, 235, Jr., Regina – A dominant player on both sides of the ball Wallace earned first-team all-state honors after helping Regina reach the Class 1A title game. Wallce ranked second on the team in tackles (49.5) and led Regina in tackles for loss (18) and sacks (8.5) but may have done his best work on offense. Wallace led Regina with 40 receptions, 611 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches.

Wide receiver: Maddox Kelley, 5-10, 180, Jr., Solon – A versatile weapon on both sides of the ball Kelley earned first-team Class 3A all-state honors after racking up 1,073 total yards and 26 touchdowns. A two-way standout, Kelley lead Solon in receptions (50), receiving yards (702), receiving touchdowns (14) and rushing touchdowns (12) and ranked second on the team with 371 rushing yards. Kelley also ranked fourth on the team with 41 tackles including three for loss and led the Spartans with six interceptions.

Wide receiver: Ethan Headings, 6-2, 205, Sr., West High – An all-area pick as a defensive back last season Headings emerged as one of the top receivers in the state this season leading Class 5A with 1,202 receiving yards and ranking second in 5A with 13 touchdown catches. The 1,202 receiving yards for Headings was the second most in a single season in program history. An Iowa recruit, Headings had a team-high 56 receptions and averaged 21.5 yards per catch and also ranked third on the team with 46.5 tackles including 7.5 for loss and had an interception.

Wide receiver: Chayse Newton, 5-8, 146, Jr., City High – After leading City High in receptions last season as a sophomore Newton established himself as one of the top pass catchers in the state during a stellar junior campaign in which he led the Little Hawks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Newton caught 60 passes for 728 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 12.1 yards per catch.

Wide receiver: Kaden Hoeper, 6-2, 180, Jr., Solon – A breakout star for the Spartans on both sides of the ball Hoeper earned second-team Class 3A all-state honors after catching 42 passes for 691 yards and nine touchdowns. A two-way starter, Hoeper also had 22.5 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery from his defensive back spot.

Wide receiver: Pryor Reiners, 5-11, 175, Jr., Liberty High – Reiners led the Lightning in receptions (55), receiving yards (631) and receiving touchdowns (7) and also rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on his way to earning second-team Class 5A all-state honors.

Wide receiver: Cody Milliman, 6-1, 195, Jr., Solon – A versatile two-way starter Milliman made an impact on both sides of the ball in his first season as a full-time starter. Milliman was at his best at receiver making 35 receptions for 516 yards and four touchdowns and also made 23.5 tackles with two for loss and had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries from his outside linebacker spot.

Offensive line: Collin Whitters, 6-4, 310, Sr., West High – An Iowa recruit, Whitters earned Class 5A first-team all-state honors after a stellar senior season in which he helped West High to an 8-3 record and a spot in the 5A quarterfinals after anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for the Trojans to average 405 total yards, 192 rushing yards and 39.4 points per game.

Offensive line: Porter Shetler, 5-11, 220, Jr., Regina – A two-way stalwart for the Class 1A runner-up Regals, Shetler established himself as an anchor on the Regina offensive line at right guard. A first-team all-state selection, Shetler helped pave the way for the Regina offense to average 45.7 points, 381 total yards and 185 rushing yards per game and also made 16 tackles with five for loss and two sacks.

Offensive line: Lucas Feuerbach, 6-2, 260, Jr., Solon – A force on both sides of the ball Feuerbach was at his best on the offensive line where he anchored a Spartan front that paved the way for Solon to average 38.1 points and 310 total yards per game while going 11-1 and advancing to the 3A state semifinals. A first-team Class 3A all-state pick as a defensive lineman, Feuerbach ranked third on the team with 53 tackles including 12 for loss and four sacks.

Offensive line: Michael Montgomery, 6-5, 240, Sr., West Branch – An Ohio recruit, Montgomery was a force on both lines for West Branch helping the Bears to a 7-3 record and a spot in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Montgomery was at his best on offense, earning second-team Class 2A all-state honors after helping the Bears average 31 points and 210 rushing yards per game. On defense Montgomery ranked fourth on the team with 43 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Offensive line: James Barnett, 6-0, 225, Soph., West High – One of the leaders of a strong West High offensive line from his center spot Barnett was critical in helping the Trojans emerge as one of the most potent offenses in Class 5A. Behind Barnett, West High averaged 405 total yards, 192 rushing yards and 39.4 points per game.

Offensive line: Preston Mensah, 6-4, 300, Jr., City High – A dominant force on the offensive line Mensah earned first team all-district honors after helping pave the way for the Little Hawks to averaging 24.9 points and 349 total yards per game.

Offensive line: Jaryn Sertterh, 6-1, 245, Sr., Liberty High – The anchor of the Liberty High offensive line Sertterh earned Class 5A second-team all-state honors after paving the way for Liberty High to average 35 points and 389 total yards per game.  

Offensive line: Noah Horner, 6-2, 280, Sr., Regina – A key in the success for the Regal offense this season was the emergence of Horner as powerful force on the offensive line. Horner played the best football of his career as a senior earning first-team all-state honors after helping the Regals average 45.7 points per game and 9.1 yards per play.

Utility: Conlan Poynton, 5-11, 190, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – A dynamic offensive weapon, Poynton earned Class 4A first-team all-state honors after racking up 1,340 yards of total offense and 18 total touchdowns. Poynton passed for 758 yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed for a team-high 582 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Defense

Defensive line: Raphael Etuma, 6-2, 220, Sr., City High – A disruptive force on the City High defensive line Etuma had the best season of his career this fall on his way to earning first-team all-district honors. Etuma had a career-high 35.5 tackles including 16.5 tackles for loss and two sacks and finished his career with 29 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Defensive line: Jackson Law, 6-3, 185, Sr., West High – A breakthrough standout on the West High defensive line Law emerged as a disruptive force from his defensive end spot. Law ranked second on the team with 58 tackles including a team-high 16 tackles for loss and ranked fourth in Class 5A with 10 sacks, including a West High single-game record five sacks in a win at Bettendorf. Law also forced five fumbles and recovered a fumble.

Defensive line: James Thomsen, 6-3, 220, Jr. Solon – A disruptive force on the edge Thomsen earned second-team Class 3A all-state honors after ranking fifth on the team with 39 tackles while leading Solon in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (5.5). Thomsen forced three fumbles and recovered one fumble that he returned for a touchdown.

Defensive line: Will Litton, 6-5, 215, Jr., Regina – In his first season of varsity football Litton emerged as a dominant force teaming with Wallace to give the Regals one of the top defensive end tandems in the state. A first-team all-state selection, Litton ranked sixth on the team with 37.5 tackles and ranked second on the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks while forcing a fumble and recovery a fumble.

Defensive line: Kane Willey, 6-0, 220, Sr., City High – Willey posted a second consecutive solid season teaming with Etuma to give the Little Hawks a dynamic duo on the defensive front. Willey ranked fifth on the team with 29.5 tackles including 9.5 tackles for loss and a sack and also recovered a fumble.

Defensive line: Lincoln Naber, 6-2, 220, Sr., West Branch – Naber established himself as a playmaker on the West Branch defensive line ranking second on the team in both tackles for loss and sacks. Naber had a career-high 44 tackles from his defensive end spot including 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Landon Bell, 6-0, 200, Sr., Liberty High – A first-team Class 5A all-state selection Bell was the anchor of the Liberty High defense leading the team with 75 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while recovering a fumble.

*Linebacker: Julian Manson, 6-3, 225, Sr., West High – An Iowa recruit, Manson capped a stellar career earning first-team Class 5A all-state honors for the second consecutive season after leading West High in tackles for the second year in a row. Manson had a team-high 67 tackles including six for loss and finished his career with 185 tackles. An explosive athlete, Manson also had 31 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns.

Linebacker: Luke Hamilton, 5-10, 175, Jr., Regina – Hamilton emerged as a leader on the Regina defense from his linebacker spot leading the Regals in tackles with 55. A first-team all-state pick, Hamilton had 36 solo stops and 8.5 tackles for loss with two sacks, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass while helping Regina to a 12-1 record and a 1A runner-up finish.

Linebacker: Blaine Heick, 6-2, 190, Sr., City High – Heick followed up a breakthrough junior season with an even better senior campaign leading the Little Hawks in tackles on his way to earning first-team all-district honors. Heick led City High in tackles (83.5) and solo tackles (52) and sacks (3) and ranked third on the team with 11 tackles for loss while adding two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Linebacker: James Whisler, 5-11, 170, Sr., Regina – A second-team all-state pick, Whisler was a key piece of an impressive Regina defense that limited opponents to 12 points and 192 total yards per game. Whisler ranked fourth on the team with 42 tackles including five for loss and a sack and an interception.

Linebacker: Cooper Gates, 5-10, 180, Sr., West Branch – A stalwart on the West Branch defense Gates lined up all over the field on his way to earning district defensive most valuable player honors. A physical, downhill defender, Gates ranked second on the team with 46.5 tackles and led the Bears in both tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (6.5) for the second consecutive season. Gates closed his career with 205 tackles, 46 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Alex Strunk, 5-10, 185, Sr., Liberty High – Strunk stepped into a big role on the Liberty High defense and produced in a big way ranking second on the team with 52.5 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss while tying for the team lead with 4.5 sacks.

Linebacker: Aidan Schrock, 6-1, 200, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – Schrock was one of the best linebackers in Class 4A this season earning second-team all-state honors after leading the Clippers in tackles. Schrock had 61.5 tackles including 39 solo stops, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Schrock also returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown and forced a fumble.

Linebacker: Conner Capper, 5-11, 185, Sr., West Branch – A three-year starter, Capper had the best season of his career as a senior leading the Bears in tackles while helping West Branch reach the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Capper had a team-high 67.5 tackles including 47 solo stops and six tackles for loss and closed his career with 149.5 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.

Linebacker: Kyler Jensen, 6-0, 225, Sr., Solon – A physical presence in the middle of a stout Solon defense Jensen earned first-team Class 3A all-state honors after leading the Spartans in tackles for the second consecutive season. Jensen led Solon in tackles (71) and solo tackles (40) and ranked fourth on the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and closed his career with 134.5 tackles including 20.5 tackles for loss.  

Linebacker: Marshall Sheldon, 6-0, 173, Soph., City High – One of the top freshmen in the state last season Sheldon was even better this fall as a sophomore despite battling an injury for most of the season. Sheldon had 74.5 tackles, including 45 solo stops and led the Little Hawks with 19 tackles for loss to go with two sacks and two forced fumbles. Over the past two seasons Sheldon has 143.5 tackles and 25.5 tackles for loss.

Linebacker: Griffin Seydel, 5-11, 165, Sr., West Branch – In his first season as a starter Seydel emerged as a key playmaker in the West Branch secondary leading the Bears in interceptions and ranking eighth on the team in tackles. Seydel had 25 tackles with three for loss and led West Branch with six interceptions.

Defensive back: Aren Schlemme, 6-1, 171, Sr., Clear Creek Amana – An impressive athlete, Schlemme was a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Clippers but did his best work on defense where he was an anchor in the Clipper secondary. Schlemme ranked fourth on the team with 29.5 tackles and led the Clippers with two interceptions and caught 13 passes for 369 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.

Defensive back: Logan Laubenthal, 5-11, 170, Sr., Liberty High – The leader of the Liberty High secondary Laubenthal led the Lightning with 13 passes defended and three interceptions to go with 12.5 tackles on his way to earning first-team Class 5A all-state honors.

Defensive back: Jordan Schroeder, 6-1, 175, Sr. Liberty High – A breakout star in the Liberty High secondary Schroeder ranked third on the team with 34.5 tackles including two for loss and also caught 40 passes for 481 yards and four touchdowns on his way to earning second-team Class 5A all-state honors.

Defensive back: Adrian Clerry, 5-10, 170, Jr., Liberty High – A versatile two-way standout, Clerry was impactful on both sides of the ball ranking fifth on the team with 28 tackles and had two interceptions and also caught 40 passes for 357 yards and four touchdowns.  

Defensive back: Abdul Hodge Jr., 5-11, 165, Jr., West High – Hodge Jr. emerged as productive playmaker in the West High secondary ranking fifth on the team in tackles from his defensive back spot. An excellent athlete and strong tackler, Hodge Jr. had 32.5 tackles with two for loss and ranked second on the team with six passes defended to go with an interception.

Defensive back: Drew Greve, 6-0, 165, Sr., Regina – A leader in the Regina secondary Greve led Class 1A with eight interceptions and had a team-high five passes defended while helping Regina to a 12-1 record and a Class 1A runner-up finish. Greve earned first-team all-state honors after making 20.5 tackles with two for loss and a fumble recovery.

Special Teams

Kicker: Collin Weis, 6-3, 160, Sr., Liberty High – Weis played a key role in the most successful season in program history connecting on 11-of-13 field goal attempts with a long of 43 while converting on all 55 PAT attempts.  

Punter: Collin McKie, 5-11, 180, Jr., Solon – In his first season as the full-time punter for the Spartans McKie established himself as one of the state’s best. McKie ranked fourth in the state in yards per punt, averaging 43.4 yards per attempt on 20 punts on his way to earning first-team Class 3A all-state honors.  

Returner: Tay Seals, 5-9, 143, Jr., Clear Creek Amana – Among the most explosive returners in the state Seals was electric in both the punt and kick return game this season returning a pair of kick offs for touchdowns. Seals averaged 39.7 yards per return on 11 kickoff returns with a 92-yarder for a touchdown and also averaged 14.8 yards per punt return.

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