Falcons look to build off successful 2022 season

Published by editor on Fri, 08/18/2023 - 1:25pm

Front Row left to right: Manager Joe Eddy, manager Will Heuer, manager Nolan Heuer. Second row: Aiden Merrill, Luke Jacobson, Creyton Eberhart, Sam Janssen, Coach Clint Dohlman, Coach Alex Pollock, Coach Lucas Heuer, Brayden Kalkwarf, Hunter McBride, Wyatt Trotter, Briar Lester. Third row: manager Gabe Eastman-Schipper, Eli Penn, Cooper Mulder, Cade Drehobl, Carsten Wyant, Coach Cory Troyna, Coach Connor Neuroth, Coach Evan Capper, Coach Mark Haren, Brennen Adreon, Chase Nigro, Austin Shepard, Elijah Ogle, manager Spencer Isvig. Fourth row: Gage Johnson, Gage Rottinghaus, Parker Mulder, Nick Neuroth, Rylan Ascher, Rowdy Groen, Dakoda Hennigar, Maddox Kruger, Kael Schoneman, Cormick Steege, Collin Koop, Ethan LeBree. Fifth row: Brandon Hartbarger, Sullivan Janssen, Adrian Huisman, Jackson Mulder, Camron Timmer, Henry Buss, Gabe Mostek, Cooper Hoff, Gavin Allan, Nile Petersen, Ty Luhring, Trevan Thomas, Gaven Ostercamp. Sixth row: Maison Copp, Benny Waller, Nick Nigro, Corbin Wyant, EJ Vesely, Kellen Reints, Will Hodges, Cyrus Nigro, Kolbon Hoppenworth, Seth Orta, Max Junker, Caleb Campbell. Seventh row: Gavin Thomas, Gabe Jacobson, Alex Ingledue, Colton Harken, Mason Ridder, Jackson Kittrell, Isaac Schipper, Sam Reints, Kael Stotler.

By:

CJ Eilers

Regional Sports Editor

2022 Record: 8-2 (49-27 Loss to Western Christian in Second Round of Playoffs)

Head Coach: Alex Pollock

A foundation was laid last year as the previous class of seniors seriously hit the weight room and set the tone for Aplington-Parkersburg’s best season in five years and also their first District title in the same amount of time.

“We take a lot of pride in our weight room and I think our seniors from last year were a big part of establishing that foundation,” coach Alex Pollock said. “They did an excellent job and the current seniors were a part of that. Now it's up to us coaches to make sure we get kids in the right spot in order to be successful.”

While the Falcons did graduate a significant amount of their starters on both sides of the ball, the most prominent being senior quarterback Gavin Thomas (65/114 passing, 16 touchdowns, 120 yards on 25 carries with four touchdowns) going into his third season at the position. He lost some weapons around him to graduation, but senior Kael Schoneman (265 yards on 27 carries, four touchdowns) senior Kael Stotler (192 yards on 33 carries, two touchdowns) will join Thomas in the backfield looking for bigger roles this season. A-P’s receiving corp will need replenished after losing four to graduation, with senior Nick Neuroth (52 yards on six receptions, one touchdown) the lone playmaker returning with multiple catches.

“It's a next man up mentality,” Pollock said. “Yes, we graduated a lot of guys with experience, but we were also able to get even more guys some varsity playing time who are now back. It’s really not as daunting as one might think because we have a close-knit group who are really intelligent players.”

The defense returns Neuroth with 46.5 total tackles, Schoneman with 31 and then a significant drop off in returning experience. Senior Nile Petersen enters his third year on the offensive line and Pollock believes others will step up to rebuild the line.

“We will have to build depth this season and make sure as coaches we develop everyone, not just the starters,” Pollock said. “Football is a game of depth and attrition. Injuries happen, so guys will need to be ready.”

Pollock is focused on the Falcons starting off the 2023 strong like they did last season as they will face Union at home, Class A champs Grundy Center moving up to 1A and South Hardin. Their district has no gimmies this season and will see the Falcons face their longtime rival Dike-New Hartford, which was their only loss of the regular season in 2022.

“Our goal doesn’t change: we want a District title,” Pollock said. “Our schedule is a gauntlet this season, but I think a lot of guys who haven’t gone out for football these last couple years have seen how much fun we’ve been having and went out. Our program is growing. As a coach, nothing is more exciting than to see our progress pay off and we get the best athletes in the school out for football.”

Aplington-Parkersburg football will open their season at home against Union (La Porte City) on Friday, Aug. 25.

2023 Aplington-Parkersburg Football Schedule

Friday, Aug. 25 vs Union (La Porte City)

Friday, Sept. 1 @ Grundy Center

Friday, Sept. 8 vs South Hardin

Friday, Sept. 15 vs MFL MarMac

Friday, Sept. 22 @ Denver

Friday, Sept. 29 @ Central Springs

Friday, Oct. 6 vs Dike-New Hartford

Friday, Oct. 13 @ Sumner-Fredericksburg

Friday, Oct. 20 First Round Playoffs TBA