By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Clear Creek Amana

Head coach: Gabe Bakker (1st season, 29-20) 

Assistant coaches: Trevor Bollers, Bob Broghammer, Mikkel Brown, Mike Dewaard, Jackson Litterer, Todd Mosier, Evan Schulte, Jake Sedlacek, Kyle Stoner, Matt Trosky

Last season: 7-2

Returning Starters: Matt Brimeyer, Sr., RB/LB; Cade Gallagher, Sr., FB/DL; Dillon Wildman, Sr., OT.

Other returning letterwinners: Dylan Sheely, Sr., S; Andrew Rohret, Jr., OLB; Tanner Cochran, Sr., TE/DE; David Jensen, Sr., LB.

Newcomers to watch: Ethan Postler, Sr., QB; Jonah Upah, Jr., OL/DL.

Playoff history: 5 appearances (2008-2010, 2014, 2015).

District: Class 3A, District 4

District favorites: West Delaware and Davenport Assumption both went 6-1 in district play last season to reach the playoffs. The two traditional powers enter as the favorites but Clear Creek Amana and Marion are legitimate playoff contenders.

Circle the date: Aug. 25 vs. Mount Pleasant. Fans get their first chance to check out the new look Clippers as the Gabe Bakker era officially kicks off at home.

Headliner: Senior running back Matt Brimeyer rushed for a team-high 731 yards and scored six touchdowns while sharing carries in a crowded Clipper backfield. Expect those numbers to climb this season as Brimeyer takes over as the lead back in the Clear Creek Amana offense.

Unsung hero: Senior Dylan Sheely started the 2016 season finale at quarterback but offered to move to wide receiver this year with the addition of Ethan Postler and has quickly emerged as a leader at the spot. Sheely will also be a leader in the Clipper secondary where he returns with starting experience.

Keep an eye on: Senior quarterback Ethan Postler (6-5, 205) will take over leading the Clipper offense after transferring from West High last winter. Postler completed 59 percent of his passes for 333 yards and six touchdowns last season at West High.

Biggest question: What will the Clippers look like under new coach Gabe Bakker? The former Iowa State player comes to Clear Creek Amana after turning around the program at Pleasantville where he went 29-20 in five seasons.

Quotable: We are going to have fun. I want our kids to have fun with it because that’s what it’s about. Flying around having fun and doing things together. I could care less about individual statistics because to me it’s about all 102 of us that are out for this football team and all the 11 coaches and everybody that is a part of it.” Clear Creek Amana coach Gabe Baker.

Clear Creek Amana

Aug. 25: Mount Pleasant

Sept. 1: @ Independence

Sept. 8: @ Dubuque Wahlert*

Sept. 15: Maquoketa*

Sept. 22: @ Center Point-Urbana*

Sept: 29: @ West Delaware*

Oct. 6: Marion*

Oct. 13: Davenport Assumption*

Oct. 20: @ Central DeWitt*