The end of Week 5 officially marked the just-over-the-halfway mark of the 2019 regular season. As such, we’re introducing our first Midseason All-Iowa Football Team.
These selections were based purely observations from the Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen staff writers. We have a first-team, second-team and a list of others who have impressed through the first five games of the year.
Coaches, recruiting contacts and others who normally help select the end-of-the-year All-Iowa Football Teams were not consulted for these picks. We will circle back after the state championship games in November as we put together our final All-Iowa teams.
Consider this, then, a check-in, of sorts, to show who’s got our eye.
There have been plenty of talented football players who have stepped up over the course of five games. We can’t wait to see who continues their strong seasons and who else emerges over the last portion of the regular season and postseason as we put together our official All-Iowa teams.
QB: Hunter Dekkers, sr., West Sioux
New all-time leader in career touchdown passes. Averaging 356 passing yards per game. Thrown 20 touchdowns and rushed for five.
RB: Harrison Bey-Buie, sr., Bettendorf
An electric playmaker who can break big runs and also muscle up in short-yardage situations. Up to 921 rushing yards on 95 carries — that’s 9.7 per attempt — and 17 touchdowns.
RB: Creighton Mitchell, sr., W.D.M. Valley
Lead back on a talented Valley offense. Averaging 9.5 yards per carry, up to 539 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Has been at his best against the Tigers’ toughest opponents.
UTILITY: Wyatt Wegener, sr., Algona
Game-breaking offensive weapon for the undefeated Bulldogs. Has 704 rushing yards on 43 carries and 365 receiving yards on 16 catches (add in a punt-return score, and he’s up to 16 total touchdowns). That’s 18.1 yards per touch against a competitive schedule.
WR: Brody Brecht, jr., Ankeny
Dynamic wideout for one of Class 4A’s toughest teams. Has 15 catches for 355 yards and a touchdown while mostly facing double teams and defensive schemes designed to eliminate him.
WR: AJ Coons, sr., Solon
Top receiving target for 3A’s sixth-best passing offense. Up to 24 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns. That’s 19.7 yards per catch.
WR: Kade Lynott, sr., West Sioux
Tremendous playmaker who doubles as Dekkers’ favorite target. Recorded 1,027 total yards on offense — 819 receiving, 208 rushing — and 16 total touchdowns. His 39 receptions tie for the fourth-most among 11-player teams.
OL: Connor Colby, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Versatile, road-grader of an offensive lineman. Able to adjust quickly and continues downfield after initial assignment. A top lineman for one of 4A’s top rushing attacks.
OL: Tyler Miller, sr., Greene County
Tall, strong lineman for one of 2A’s eight remaining undefeated teams. Sturdy pass blocker and mean in run-blocking. Flashes strength at the point of contact.
OL: Logan Mueller, sr., W.D.M. Valley
Excellent pass blocker, intimidating run blocker, often taking his assignment to the ground. Quick feet, strong hands. One of the leaders of a line that blocks for 4A’s second-best scoring offense.
OL: Charlie Nank, sr., Dowling Catholic
Great drive and footwork. Finishes blocks. One of the leaders of an offensive line that blocks for one of 4A’s top rushing attacks.
OL: Jack Wilty, sr., Southeast Polk
Another versatile lineman who plays both guard and tackle. Strong on contact, excellent drive to take defender out of the play.
DL: Queden Ballew, sr., Des Moines East
Class 4A sack leader, with 8.5. Also has 40.5 total tackles, including 14.5 for a loss. High-motor, smart player with ability to adjust based on play.
DL: T.J. Bollers, jr., Clear Creek-Amana
Wrecking ball of a defensive lineman who’s well-deserving of his big-time Power 5 offers. Three sacks and three tackles for loss. Forces opposing offenses to alter gameplans.
DL: Blaise Gunnerson, sr., Kuemper Catholic
Back from last year’s injury, has 20.5 tackles in five games, including 5.5 for loss and 4 sacks. Tall, speedy edge-rusher who disrupts opposing quarterbacks’ timing and can also play the run.
DL: Griffin Liddle, jr., Bettendorf
Nationally ranked wrestler who sheds blockers, forces quarterbacks out of the pocket and stuffs opposing run games. Routinely commands double teams. Has 17 tackles and 4 for a loss through five games.
LB: Thomaj Davis, jr., Des Moines Roosevelt
Talented linebacker who can rush the passer, play the run and cover. Has 20.5 tackles — 17 solo — including 8.5 for a loss, 6 sacks and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.
LB: Jaden Harrell, jr., Urbandale
Leading tackler for a defense that’s led to a 3-game winning streak. Up to 37.5 total tackles. Strong ability to diagnose plays and follow the ball.
LB: Carter Olesen, sr., Southeast Polk
Great vision and excellent closing speed. Has a team-high 45 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Reads opposing offenses extremely well.
LB: Cade Parker, sr., C.R. Kennedy
Strong, fast, aggressive leader of one of 4A’s top defensive units. Recorded 42.5 tackles — 36 of which have been solo — including 7 for a loss. Wraps up well and brings to the ground quickly.
DB: Drew Jirak, sr., W.D.M. Valley
Leader of perhaps the state’s stingiest secondary, as Valley has yet to allow a 200-yard passer through five weeks. Has three interceptions, tied for fourth-most in 4A, in addition to 12 tackles.
DB: Caden Schrage, sr., Northwood-Kensett
State’s leader with 9 interceptions, which is just five away from the single-season record (for both 11- and 8-Player). Also has 26 tackles and nine touchdowns — seven offensively, plus a kick- and punt-return score.
DB: Trajen Thornton, sr., W.D.M. Valley
Another huge part of Valley’s secondary. Has just one interception and 12 tackles, but has been excellent in coverage with numerous pass breakups. Can adjust after reading quarterbacks’ eyes and diagnosing plays.
K: Aaron Blom, sr., Oskaloosa
Through five games, 3-for-3 in field-goal tries with a long of 46, plus 10-for-10 in point-after attempts. Also has recorded six touchbacks on 15 kickoffs.
P: Kody Kruschwitz, sr., Nevada
Averaging 39.7 yards on 16 punts, with a long of 66. Manages other kicking responsibilities for the Cubs — 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts, with a long for 42, and 14 of 16 on point-after tries.
QB: Jaylen DeVries, sr., Clear Lake: 1,287 yards, 18 touchdowns, one interception in five games.
RB: Cairron Hendred, sr., C.R. Kennedy: 727 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns for one of 4A’s strongest rushing attacks.
RB: Teagan Johnson, sr., Dowling Catholic: 707 rushing yards on 124 carries, good for 5.7 yards per attempt.
UTILITY: Mitch Randall, sr., Waukee: Ultra-productive quarterback, with 959 passing yards, 353 rushing and 11 total touchdowns.
WR: Brock Johnson, sr., Winterset: 732 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns on 34 catches, good for 21.5 yards per catch.
WR: Tysen Kershaw, sr., Fort Dodge: Physical pass-catcher that has 396 receiving yards on 29 catches and 5 touchdowns.
WR: Kendrick Watkins-Hogue, jr., Dubuque Senior: 29 receptions, 647 yards, 6 touchdowns as the lead receiver in 4A.
OL: Hayden Amos, sr., Carlisle: Strong, quick feet, excellent blocker.
OL: Ryan Boles, sr., Dowling Catholic: Versatile, technically sound. Holds blocks downfield.
OL: Brady Petersen, sr., Ankeny Centennial: Has missed some time with injury, but has looked solid when he’s seen the field.
OL: Luke Pinnick, jr., West Marshall: Bruiser who routinely eliminates opposing defender.
OL: Caleb Siech, sr., Waverly-Shell Rock: Big, physical run-blocker who finishes assignments.
DL: Chase Gladden, sr., Carroll: 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks through five games, can take over games.
DL: Aaron Graves, soph., Southeast Valley: Routinely faces double teams after recording four sacks in season-opener.
DL: Logan Jones, sr., Lewis Central: 6 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack while facing double teams.
DL: Kaden Sutton, sr., ADM: State leader in tackles for loss, with 21.5, in addition to 4 sacks.
LB: Thomas Even, sr., Don Bosco: Ultra-productive linebacker, with 39 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.
LB: Ethan Hurkett, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier: Team-high 26 tackles, with 3 for a loss and half a sack.
LB: Zach Twedt, jr., Roland-Story: 61 tackles in five games, including two for a loss, as well as a productive running back.
LB: AJ Vasquez, sr., Des Moines Roosevelt: Another crucial part of Roosevelt’s defense, with a team-high 35 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks.
DB: Brady Duwa, jr., Sigourney-Keota: 7 interceptions, including a 70-yard pick-six.
DB: Tyler Olson, jr., Webster City: The next talented Webster City defensive back, with 7 picks.
DB: Jeron Senters, soph., Linn-Mar: 6 picks, including two multi-interception games.
K: Logan Sunvold, sr., Southeast Polk: Perfect on PATs and field-goal attempts, including one from 46 to beat Fort Dodge last week.
P: Kinnick McFarland, sr., Lynnville-Sully: 40.5 yards-per-punt average. Also a first-team all-state name candidate.
Tyler Dupont, QB, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier: 15 total touchdowns in five games.
Calvin Harris, QB, sr., Western Dubuque: 13 touchdown passes, 71.6 completion percentage, 0 interceptions.
Clay Krousie, QB, sr., Benton: 1,318 passing yards, 16 touchdown passes, 1 pick.
Cael Loecher, QB, sr., Cedar Falls: More than 1,000 total offensive yards and 13 touchdowns for state title contender.
Zach Marker, QB, sr., Norwalk: 18 total touchdowns — 9 passing, 9 rushing — and 1,140 total yards of offense.
Marcus Morgan, QB, jr., Iowa City West: Talented quarterback, at 1,085 yards and 7 touchdown passes.
Wyatt Pryor, QB, sr., Woodbine: 1,984 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes in five weeks is absurd — even at the 8-Player level.
Tate Westhoff, QB, sr., LeMars: 19 touchdown passes, 1,328 passing yards, 0 interceptions.
Cale Anthony, RB, sr., Pleasantville: Already over 1,000 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns and also the team’s leading tackler.
Jeffrey Eagle, RB, sr., Coon Rapids-Bayard: The state’s first 1,000-yard rusher, now at 1,277 and 19 scores.
Tate Hagen, RB, sr., West Hancock: Workhorse for Class A’s No. 1 team, at 857 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 131 carries.
Chase Keifer, RB, sr., Wayne: Already over 1,000 yards for the third-straight season.
Jake Fisher, QB/UT, sr., Treynor: Nearly 900 total yards of offense and 16 touchdowns for the undefeated Cardinals.
Anthony Potthoff, QB/UT, sr., Van Meter: Trending toward a second straight season with more than 2,000 total yards of offense.
Logan Schimtt, QB/UT, sr., Independence: Engineer behind 2A’s top-ranked scoring offense, with more than 1,500 total yards and 23 touchdowns.
Jackson Waring, QB/UT, sr., Des Moines Christian: 13 touchdown passes, 7 more rushing, along with a team-high 32 tackles, and 6 tackles for loss.
Creed Welch, QB, jr., Waukon: Already more than 1,200 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes for 2A’s top-ranked team.
Parker Kiewiet, WR, sr., Dike-New Hartford: Tremendous athlete, averaging 25.7 yards per catch with 9 touchdown receptions.
Brett Livesay, WR, sr., Collins-Maxwell: Averaging 19.9 yards per catch … with 49 catches (and 20 touchdowns).
Jeff Bowie, DL, jr., West Branch: Disruptive defensive lineman with 20 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks.
Jackson Filer, DL, sr., Dowling Catholic: Has spent a lot of time in opposing team’s backfield, with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks this season.
Skyler Waldschmitt, LB, sr., Remsen St. Mary’s: Absurd production, at 23.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks.
Carter Kluesner, LB, sr., Western Dubuque: Part of the Bobcats’ mean defense, with 8 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks.
Parker Olson, DL/LB, jr., Easton Valley: More crazy production, at 15 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks.
Juanito Piper, LB, sr., Winfield-Mt. Union: 68.5 tackles, including 60 solo stops, which nearly matches the team’s next three leading tacklers combined.
Layne Pryor, WR/LB, jr., Woodbine: Averaging 16.8 yards per catch and 15.4 tackles per game.
Davian Sterner, LB, sr., West Lyon: Team-high 32.5 tackles and 7 tackles for loss on a defense that allows less than a touchdown per game.
Blake Willey, LB, jr., Dallas Center-Grimes: One of many DCG defensive playmakers, at 34 tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, plus a pick-six.
Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.
Your subscription makes work like this possible. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.
Note: Inclusion on the Midseason All-Iowa Football Teams does not guarantee a place on the 2019 All-Iowa Football Teams that are published after the season. This is merely a look at who’s played well and who’s impressed through the first half of the season. The 2019 All-Iowa Football Teams will include input from coaches, recruiting contacts, and others.