Football Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Clear Creek Amana
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
Clear Creek Amana
Head coach: Lance Pedersen (2nd season 155-65)
Assistant coaches: Matt Casebolt; Mikkel Brown; Vaughn Costello; Bob Broghammer; Kyle Stoner; Drew Wagner; Evan Schulte; Brandon Clubb; Sean Keller; Aaron Bohr
Last season: 6-4 (Class 4A first round)
Returning starters: Conlan Poynton, Sr., QB; Aren Schlemme, Sr., WR/FS; Ethan Vice, Sr., RB/CB; Aidan Schrock, Sr., OL/LB; Dylan Schrock, Sr., OL/LB; Nick Daniel, Sr., WR/DB; Blayke Albert, Jr.; Aidan Gross, Jr., PK; Tay Seals, Jr., WR/DB; Avery Sorenson, Jr., WR
Newcomers to watch: Ian Kelley, Sr., RB/LB; Mitchell Volz, Sr., OL/DL; Silas Cobb, Jr., WR/DB; Brody Gorsch, Sr., WR/LB; Texton Bollers, Soph., QB/DB; Noah Collis, Jr., RB
Playoff history: Nine appearances (2008-2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024).
District: Class 4A, District 4 (Grinnell, Marion, Newton, Oskaloosa, Pella)
District favorite: Pella. The defending 4A runner-up Dutch defeated 2025 district challengers Newton (35-28) and Clear Creek Amana (34-7) last season on their way to a 11-2 record.
Circle the date: September 12 at Cedar Rapids Xavier. The second of consecutive non-district road games is a big one for the Clippers who rallied for a 28-24 win over the Saints in Cedar Rapids last season.
Headliner: Senior quarterback Conlan Poynton (5-11, 190) came on strong at the end of last season finishing a strong junior season with 1,228 passing yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for a team-high 901 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Ready for a breakthrough: Junior wide receiver/defensive back Tay Seals (5-9, 143) showed impressive potential during his first varsity season last fall and is ready to build on the 12 receptions for 191 yards and three touchdowns and 14 tackles and interception that he posted as a two-way player last season.
Unsung hero: Every team needs a glue guy that does all the dirty work and for Clear Creek Amana that is senior linebacker Dylan Schrock (6-1, 220). Schrock ranked second on the team with 61.5 tackles including 11.5 for loss last season and should be in for a huge season as the leader of the Clipper defense.
Keep an eye on: Senior safety Arlen Schlemme (6-1, 171) is a dynamic athlete capable of making a big play at any moment and is poised for a big-time senior season on both sides of the ball. Schlemme has made 40.5 tackles and averaged 34.5 yards per catch on four receptions over the past two seasons.
Remember the name: Plan on hearing the name Ethan Vice a lot this season when watching the Clippers as Vice (6-0, 185) is a key performer on offense, defense and special teams. Vice rushed for 342 yards and two touchdowns and also had 16 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery and also returned both punts and kick offs last season.
Biggest strength: There is athleticism all over the field at the offensive skill positions. Poynton is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in Class 4A, Vice and junior Noah Collis (283 rushing yards) form a strong duo in the backfield and Seals, Schlemme, senior Nick Daniel (6-1, 180) and junior Avery Sorenson (6-4, 217) provide an explosive group of pass catchers.
Biggest question: How will Clear Creek Amana navigate a challenging schedule? The schedule is highlighted by 4A heavy hitters Cedar Rapids Xavier, North Scott and Pella but is challenging top to bottom. After hosting Davenport West on opening night the Clippers face a string of four consecutive games against teams with winning records and have back-to-back October district games against Newton and defending 4A runner-up Pella.
Quotable: “We don’t want to be a flash in the pan program where you are good one year and bad four,” Clear Creek Amana coach Lance Pedersen said. “We want to be good consistently, year in and year out we want to have a good football team out on the field and the way that you do that is to start to mentally and physically prepare for the season right away.”
2025 Schedule
Date/Opponent/Record in 2024
August 29: Davenport West (0-9)
September 5: at Davenport North (5-4)
September 12: at Cedar Rapids Xavier (7-4)
September 19: North Scott (9-3)
September 26: at Grinnell (6-3)
October 3: Marion (2-7)
October 10: Newton (6-4)
October 17: at Pella (11-2)
October 24: Oskaloosa (2-7)
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