Introducing the Des Moines Register’s 2018 All-Iowa football teams

The Des Moines Register's All-Iowa football teams have arrived, featuring the best players in each class, from Class 4A down to Eight-Player.

The 2018 Elite Team features the state’s top players, regardless of class. We selected the teams based on season production, Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen staff observations and consultations with more than 200 Iowa high school coaches.

The All-Iowa football teams will be honored June 21, 2019, at the Des Moines Register Sports Awards at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. All honorees are invited to the event free of charge.

MORE ALL-IOWA FOOTBALL

• We've announced our three player-of-the-year finalists
• PCM Monroe's Greg Bonnett named coach of the year
• Cody Goodwin's thoughts on the All-Iowa teams
• Introducing our list of the 50 greatest Iowa high school football players
• Register's 50 greatest Iowa high school football teams of all-time

ELITE TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Max Duggan, sr., Lewis Central

TCU-bound dual-threat quarterback who racked up 3,379 total yards of offense and 50 touchdowns — 2,130 and 24 passing, 1,223 and 25 rushing, plus 26 and one receiving. 

Running back: Jayson Murray, sr., Dowling Catholic

Rushed for 2,061 yards at 8.2 per carry. Scored 29 rushing touchdowns, the most in Class 4A. Huge reason why Maroon offense amassed 5,009 total yards of offense in 2018 en route to a sixth straight state title.

Running back: Keegan Simmons, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie

Rushed for 2,025 yards at 7.2 a carry in just 10 games. Scored 25 rushing touchdowns. Posted five games with at least three rushing touchdowns and three with at least 250 yards rushing.

Receiver: Jalen Gaudet, sr., Iowa City West

Recorded 1,061 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions. Averaged 28.7 yards per catch, tied for the highest mark in Class 4A among receivers with at least 10 receptions.

Receiver: Tysen Kershaw, jr., Fort Dodge

Class 4A’s regular-season receiving leader. Totaled 1,206 receiving yards on 71 catches, as well as 12 touchdown receptions. Posted multiple touchdown receptions in four games.

Receiver: Logan Wolf, sr., Cedar Falls

Northern Iowa-bound senior hauled in 71 receptions for 1,221 yards, helping Cedar Falls to 4A state title game. Recorded 22 touchdown receptions, tied for the second most in a single season in Iowa high school football history. Also returned three punts for touchdowns.

Utility: Carter Bell, sr., Bettendorf

South Dakota-bound senior quarterback threw for 1,477 yards and rushed for another 862 while scoring 26 total touchdowns. Orchestrated a Bettendorf offense that ranked sixth in 4A in total yards and averaged 33.9 points per game.

Offensive line: Tyler Endres, sr., Norwalk

Iowa-bound senior primary blocker for one of Class 3A’s best passing offenses. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound tackle bullied opposing defenders with strength, length and athleticism.

Offensive line: Alex Kirton, sr., Dowling Catholic

Steady senior presence for 4A’s second-best rushing offense. The 6-1, 280-pound guard blocked with the combination of strength and speed, and he was versatile enough to play on both the left and right sides.

Offensive line: Ezra Miller, sr., Ridge View (Holstein)

At 6-7 and 317 pounds, this Iowa-bound senior cuts an intimidating figure. He would sometimes block two guys each play, helping Ridge View roll up nearly 2,000 rushing yards as a team.

Offensive line: Jake Remsburg, sr., W.D.M. Valley

Iowa State-bound senior tackle blocked for one of the best offenses in 4A. At 6-6 and 300 pounds, Remsburg held firm in pass blocking and steamrolled defenders while run blocking.

Offensive line: Josh Volk, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

Arguably the state’s best offensive lineman — as a junior. The 6-4, 310-pound tackle possesses the uncanny combination of speed, strength and athleticism that makes him a coveted Division I recruit. Was the primary blocker for one of 3A’s best offenses.

DEFENSE

Defensive line: Landon Green, sr., Iowa City West

Green wasn’t the biggest defensive lineman (5-9, 210 pounds), but he was among the most productive, with 25.5 tackles for loss, including 9.5 sacks.

Defensive line: Logan Jones, jr., Lewis Central

Leader of a Lewis Central defense that allowed 11.8 points per game. The 6-3, 240-pound defensive tackle rolled up 25.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.

Defensive line: Logan Krausman, sr., W.D.M. Valley

Disruptive force on Valley’s defensive front. The 6-5, 235-pound defensive end was on every opposing coach’s radar, constantly applying pressure while also racking up seven tackles for loss, routine quarterback hurries and even a 40-yard pick-six.

Defensive line: Rocky Schoenfelder, sr., Bettendorf

The most productive defensive end in Iowa this season. The 6-foot, 205-pound pass rusher led 4A in both tackles for loss (27) and sacks (15.5).

Linebacker: Jack Campbell, sr., Cedar Falls

Leading tackler in 4A, with 123.5 — including 29 combined in the state semifinals (17.5) and finals (11.5). Also had 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Dowling coach Tom Wilson compared this Iowa recruit to Hawkeyes great Aaron Kampman.

Linebacker: Jack Keough, sr., Dowling Catholic

Key defensive playmaker for a Maroon defense that ended the year ranked third in 4A in points allowed. Finished the season with 60 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six interceptions, one pick-six and a fumble recovery.

Linebacker: Cade Parker, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Led 4A with 85 solo tackles. Recorded 110.5 total tackles, including 18 tackles for loss and two sacks. Also contributed 249 rushing yards and two touchdowns offensively.

Defensive back: Anthony Coleman, sr., Johnston

One of the state’s best athletes. Recorded seven interceptions for a Johnston defense that forced 23 total turnovers. Had three games with multiple interceptions. Also hauled in 571 receiving yards and scored 10 total touchdowns.

Defensive back: Drew Jirak, jr., W.D.M. Valley

Recorded nine interceptions for a defense that forced 28 total turnovers. The junior snagged at least one pick in all but three games this fall. Also contributed 41 tackles, including 26 solo stops.

Defensive back: Quinn Schulte, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

Recorded four interceptions, 29 tackles and a fumble recovery for the state’s best defense. Also recorded 2,908 total yards of offense and scored 48 touchdowns in leading Xavier to a second straight 3A state title.

Defensive back: Dylan Steen, sr., Webster City

Recorded seven interceptions, which tied for the second-most in 3A. Finished his career with 22 interceptions, good for third all-time. Also recorded 1,547 total yards of offense and scored 15 touchdowns.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker: Ben Conrad, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

Hit all 68 point-after tries and made 14 of 18 field-goal attempts, including a long of 48. Also recorded 35 touchbacks on 94 kickoffs.

Punter: Hunter Dekkers, jr., West Sioux

Dekkers averaged 44.5 yards per punt, the most of anybody in the state with at least 20 kicks. Also recorded 4,215 total yards of offense, the second-highest single-season total yardage output, and threw for 48 touchdowns, the second-most all-time in a single season, in leading West Sioux to a second straight state title.

CLASS 4A

Offense

QB: Drake Miller, sr., Fort Dodge

RB: Jayson Murray, sr., Dowling Catholic

RB: Keegan Simmons, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie

WR: Jalen Gaudet, sr., Iowa City West

WR: Tysen Kershaw, jr., Fort Dodge

WR: Logan Wolf, sr., Cedar Falls

UT: Carter Bell, sr., Bettendorf

OL: Jesse Alger, sr., Dowling Catholic

OL: Griffen Deere, sr., Bettendorf

OL: Alex Kirton, sr., Dowling Catholic

OL: Jake Remsburg, sr., W.D.M. Valley

OL: Josiah Rowland, sr., Southeast Polk

Defense

DL: Landon Green, sr., Iowa City West

DL: Logan Krausman, sr., W.D.M. Valley

DL: Rocky Schoenfelder, sr., Bettendorf

DL: Tanner VanElsen, sr., Southeast Polk

LB: Jack Campbell, sr., Cedar Falls

LB: Jack Keough, sr., Dowling Catholic

LB: Cade Parker, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy

DB: Ryan Adam, sr., Dowling Catholic

DB: Anthony Coleman, sr., Johnston

DB: Drew Jirak, jr., W.D.M. Valley

DB: Trent Kimmel, sr., D.M. Lincoln

Specialists

K: Matthew Cook, sr., Cedar Falls

P: Cael Loecher, jr., Cedar Falls

CLASS 3A

Offense

QB: Max Duggan, sr., Lewis Central

RB: Britton Delperdang, sr., Sergeant Bluff-Luton

RB: Isaiah Spencer, jr., Spencer

WR: A.J. Coons, jr., Solon

WR: Drake George, sr., Western Dubuque

WR: Josh Simmons, sr., Lewis Central

UT: Quinn Schulte, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

OL: Ike Bebout, sr., Newton

OL: Tyler Endres, sr., Norwalk

OL: Kainen George-Townes, sr., Bondurant-Farrar

OL: Bo Struve, sr., Carlisle

OL: Josh Volk, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

Defense

DL: Jordan Bries, sr., West Delaware

DL: Logan Jones, jr., Lewis Central

DL: Kyle Krezek, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

DL: Cayden Mesken, soph., Gilbert

LB: Adam Bock, sr., Solon

LB: Ethan Hurkett, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

LB: Jason Simon-Ressler, sr., Western Dubuque

DB: Brody Caswell, sr., Bondurant-Farrar

DB: Carson Rollinger, sr., North Scott

DB: Drake Shelton, sr., Decorah

DB: Dylan Steen, sr., Webster City

Specialists

K: Ben Conrad, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier

P: Drake Nettles, sr., Lewis Central

CLASS 2A

Offense

QB: Reed Worth, sr., PCM (Monroe)

RB: Kyler Fisher, sr., Southeast Valley

RB: Gage Hazen-Fabor, sr., Williamsburg

WR: Tyler Lode, sr., Sheldon

WR: Michael Sweeney, sr., Waukon

WR: Wyatt Wegener, jr., Algona

UT: Dawson Baures, jr., Waukon

OL: Noah Fenske, sr., New Hampton

OL: Tyler Miller, jr., Greene County

OL: Luke Pinnick, soph., West Marshall

OL: Seth Rozeboom, sr., Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

OL: Jace Smith, jr., PCM (Monroe)

Defense

DL: Spencer Daufeldt, sr., West Liberty

DL: Seth Greiner, jr., PCM (Monroe)

DL: Bryce Hoyle, sr., Greene County

DL: Nick Wood, jr., Chariton

LB: Nathan Bell, sr., Roland-Story

LB: Brady Sullivan, sr., Waukon

LB: Brayton Van Kekerix, sr., Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

DB: Nick Dredge, sr., PCM (Monroe)

DB: Kaden Ludwig, sr., Columbus Catholic

DB: Nathan Michels, sr., Benton Community

DB: Tony Wallerich, sr., Monticello

Specialists

K: Royce Stuart, sr., Chariton

P: Kody Kruschwitz, jr., Nevada

CLASS 1A

Offense

QB: Hunter Dekkers, jr., West Sioux

RB: Ian Abrahamson, jr., Van Meter

RB: Cade Bennett, jr., Dike-New Hartford

WR: Trey Daugherty, sr., Bellevue

WR: Richie Griglione, sr., Interstate 35

WR: Kade Lynott, jr., West Sioux

UT: Anthony Potthoff, jr., Van Meter

OL: Daniel Graves, sr., Dike-New Hartford

OL: Luke Stein, sr., Iowa City Regina

OL: Conner Koopmans, sr., West Sioux

OL: Jaden Hierseman, sr., West Branch

OL: Brock Farley, sr., Denver

Defense

DL: Owen Goos, sr., Dike-New Hartford

DL: Chris Reames, sr., Van Meter

DL: John Shields, sr., Mount Ayr

DL: Junior Tennant, sr., Bellevue

LB: Noah Bandstra, sr., East Marshall

LB: Chase Koopmans, sr., West Sioux

LB: Trevor Schuller, sr., West Sioux

DB: Cory Anderson, sr., Wilton

DB: Parker Kiewiet, jr., Dike-New Hartford

DB: Brett Meyer, sr., Sumner-Fredericksburg

DB: Chase Scheidegger, jr., South Central Calhoun

Specialists

K: Nathan De Bruin, sr., Pella Christian

P: Beau Cornwell, sr., West Branch

CLASS A

Offense

QB: Nick Jacobs, sr., Akron-Westfield

RB: Chase Keifer, jr., Wayne

RB: Christian Seres, sr., Hudson

WR: Mason Compton, sr., Durant

WR: Reagan Frankl, sr., Akron-Westfield

WR: Drake Partridge, sr., AHSTW (Avoca)

UT: Preston Rochford, sr., Edgewood-Colesburg

OL: Trenton Dirks, sr., Westwood (Sloan)

OL: Bryce Kleitsch, sr., Wapsie Valley

OL: Caleb Koeling, sr., Hudson

OL: Ezra Miller, sr., Ridge View (Holstein)

OL: Chandler Redenius, jr., West Hancock

Defense

DL: Nick Gaes, sr., Alta-Aurelia

DL: Rylan James, sr., Lynnville-Sully

DL: Jonah Kollbaum, sr., Lawton-Bronson

DL: Jacob Webb, sr., Southwest Valley

LB: Ethan Fulcher, jr., Hudson

LB: Tucker Kroeze, sr., Belmond-Klemme

LB: Wade Mitchell, jr., Woodbury Central

DB: Brad Capesius, sr., Bishop Garrigan

DB: Zach Issa, sr., Alta-Aurelia

DB: Trey Lasek, sr., Highland (Riverside)

DB: Dylan Staker, BGM (Brooklyn)

Specialists

K: Devin Crees, sr., Earlham

P: Cole Klimesh, sr., South Winneshiek

Eight-Player

Offense

QB: Keegan Simons, sr., Ar-We-Va (Westside)

RB: Keontae Luckett, sr., New London

RB: Jacob Staudt, sr., Rockford

WR: Cade Jargo, jr., Easton Valley

WR: Drew Schurke, sr., Ar-We-Va (Westside)

UT: Colby Page, sr., Southeast Warren

OL: Jonah Bateman, sr., Fremont-Mills

OL: Will Clapper, sr., Baxter

OL: Brady Lorimor, sr., Sidney

Defense

DL: Austin Gartner, sr., Fremont-Mills

DL: Garet Sims, sr., Iowa Valley

DL: Bryce Vandelune, jr., Southeast Warren

LB: Thomas Even, jr., Don Bosco (Gilbertville)

LB: R.J. Rojas, sr., Newell-Fonda

DB: Kaleb Bauer, sr., Southeast Warren

DB: Cole Burmeister, sr., Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton

DB: Lewis Havel, jr., Don Bosco (Gilbertville)

Specialists

K: Connor Alley, sr., Fremont-Mills

P: Drake Johnson, sr., Stanton

Honorable Mention

• Cameron Baker, sr., Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson
• Nate Collins, sr., Dowling Catholic
• Tre Fugate, sr., W.D.M. Valley
• Nathan Newcomb, sr., Johnston
• Gavin Williams, jr., Southeast Polk
• T.J. Bollers, soph., Clear Creek-Amana
• Nile McLaughlin, sr., North Scott
• Mosai Newsom, sr., Waverly-Shell Rock
• Braden Stovie, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier
• Wes Cummings, sr., PCM, (Monroe)
• Jaylen DeVries, jr., Clear Lake
• Brycen Rogers, sr., PCM (Monroe)
• Lake Stahlberg, sr., Monticello
• Clayton Thurm, sr., Williamsburg
• JT Van’t Hul, sr., Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley
• Mason Cassady, sr., Interstate 35
• Hunter Clasen, sr., Bellevue
• Tanner Lukavsky, jr., West Branch
• Noah Treimer, sr., Pella Christian
• Jake Kliegl, sr., Ridge View (Holstein)
• Braulio Munoz, jr., Westwood (Sloan)
• Blake Osbahr, sr., AHSTW (Avoca)
• T.J. Schnurr, sr., Bishop Garrigan
• Holden Sevening, jr., Alburnett
• Mason Wickman, sr., Alburnett

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.