By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

TIFFIN – Ethan Postler doesn’t look like a first-year starter.

The Clear Creek Amana senior quarterback doesn’t feel or act like a new starter either.

Yet, that’s what Postler is, a first-year starting quarterback though that title comes with an asterisk.

Postler started a pair of games last season as the back-up quarterback at West High, directing the Class 4A runner-up Trojans to a pair of wins that kept their playoff hopes alive.

That experience, short lived as it was, helped Postler earn valuable varsity experience.

“Last year helped so much especially in those two weeks that I was the guy, I got so much better in those two weeks,” Postler said. “Right now, I am way more progressed than last year in the preseason. I am seeing the field a lot better and throwing the ball a lot better.”

Postler directed West High to back-to-back wins over Burlington and Cedar Rapids Kennedy last season in relief of injured starter Evan Flitz.

In the only two varsity starts of his career Postler completed 19-of-29 passes for 280 yards and six touchdowns without an interception.

Numbers like that are a big reason why Postler doesn’t feel like a rookie entering his first season as a full-time varsity starter.

“I threw the ball I think more than 20 times against Kennedy so I got a lot of reps throwing the ball in that game and I feel really comfortable,” Postler said. “That experience has really helped me.”
Postler transferred to Clear Creek Amana last winter and has taken the reins of the Clipper offense.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Postler gives a Clipper offense that has struggled through the air the past several seasons a legitimate passing threat.

A run-heavy Clipper offense completed less than 47 percent of its pass attempts last season while averaging 42 yards per game through the air.

Postler aims to change those number dramatically.

“We have guys like Matt (Brimeyer) in the backfield and a powerful offensive line where we could run the ball all game and be successful with it but we have to be balanced,” Clear Creek Amana senior receiver Dylan Sheely said. “With Ethan at quarterback I think we’ve added that balance.”

Postler came to Clear Creek Amana with a little experience and plenty of talent.

He added 30 pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame during the offseason and spent hours working on his footwork and scrambling ability.

The result is a 6-foot-5, 210-pound quarterback with a strong arm and capable feet.

“He has all the tools to be very successful,” first-year Clear Creek Amana coach Gabe Bakker said. “He has really gotten better in the time I have been around him. His comfort level with everything from June to now is awesome. He is making himself into a very good football player.”

In his first year at Clear Creek Amana Postler will need to develop a relationship with his receivers but likes what he has seen from the group early.

Sheely (6-2, 185) moved from quarterback to receiver in the summer and joins Sioux City West transfer Darious Moore (6-1, 175), 6-foot-6 junior Nolan Schwarting and impressive freshman TJ Bollers (6-4, 201) in an impressive yet unproven group of pass catchers.

“We have a lot of athletes on the outside,” Postler said. “It feels like whoever we put out there can run a crisp route and catch the ball so I am really happy with our receivers.”

Clear Creek Amana Quarterback

The Starter: Ethan Postler (6-5, 210) transferred in from West High last winter and grabbed onto the starting spot quickly this summer. Postler threw for 333 yards in a pair of starts for West High last season leading the Trojans to wins over Burlington and Cedar Rapids Kennedy.  

Key Players: Senior Dylan Sheely made his first career start in the season finale last fall a 42-6 win over Central DeWitt. Sheely moved to wide receiver during the summer but has valuable experience at quarterback.  

Statworthy: Clear Creek Amana completed 35 passes last season, fifth fewest among all teams in Class 3A, for 380 yards the fourth lowest total in 3A.

Why it’s a strength: Postler provides a big boost to a Clear Creek Amana passing game that has scuffled the past several seasons. A strong-armed signal caller with Class 4A experience, Postler has the ability to provide much needed offensive balance while Sheely is a very capable backup.