Iowa high school football player of the year candidates

With the end of the Iowa prep football regular season, now is the perfect time to look at the list of player of the year candidates.

Plenty of incredible players were worthy of being mentioned, but we have trimmed the list to 20.

These statistics include regular-season games played only.

Connor Moberly, Southeast Polk, senior

The best quarterback on the best team in the biggest classification is going to be on the list and that is Moberly. The senior completed nearly 67 percent of his passes with just two interceptions among 199 attempts. He finished with 1,665 yards and had 19 passing TDs.

VIncenzo Gianforte, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, junior

As the season progressed, so did Gianforte, as the returning starter finished second in 5A with 2,200 yards. His 24 touchdowns were most and he completed just under 66 percent of his attempts with only seven interceptions among 234 passes.

Ra’Shawd Davis, West Des Moines Dowling, junior

While one-half of the Dowling backfield left, the remaining piece showed why he is a prized prospect in the junior class. Davis rushed 217 times for 1,230 yards, scoring a 5A-leading 23 touchdowns. He averaged almost six yards per carry for the Maroons.

Grant Glausser, Western Dubuque, senior

With nearly 2,000 yards on the ground, Glausser was unstoppable most nights. He had some eye-popping performances, finishing the regular season with 22 touchdowns while averaging almost 10 yards per carry. He also had 170 yards receiving and three more scores.

Aiden Flora, Adel-ADM, senior

A late-season injury knocked Flora to the sidelines but not before he could help the Tigers reach the playoffs again. The senior completed 66 percent of his passes for almost 1,000 yards with 12 TDs while rushing 141 times for 1,517 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Cael Turner, Creston, senior

What a senior season it has been for Turner, throwing for 2,258 yards with 28 touchdowns to lead Creston to the postseason. He has completed 65 percent of his passes with just five interceptions on 197 attempts. The Panther star also has 274 yards rushing and five more trips to the end zone.

Alex Manske, Algona, junior

When you complete an eight-game stretch without throwing an interception, that shows just the kind of prospect you are. Manske, who has received several Power 5 offers, did just that, going 145 passes without a pick. He had 1,560 yards passing and 15 TDs, adding 670 yards and 11 scores with his legs.

Jaxon Cherry, Webster City, senior

Opposing defenses preparing to face Webster City knew Cherry was going to get the ball. And it didn’t help them contain the senior. Cherry rushed 194 times for 1,499 yards, scoring 21 touchdowns to lead the Lynx into the postseason. He also had 62.5 tackles with seven sacks and 19 tackles for loss on defense.

Brent Yonkovic, West Delaware, junior

Yonkovic ran the spread attack of the Hawks perfectly this fall, racking up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He passed for 980 with nine scores while rushing for 1,171 yards and 16 touchdowns. Yonkovic even showed his leg power by averaging 44 yards on three punts.

Perrin Sulzle, Baxter, junior

In his first season under center, Sulzle led eight-player with 2,154 yards passing and 31 touchdowns, throwing just five interceptions while completing 61 percent of his throws. He also ran for 466 with five more TDs.

Brady Boulton, Montezuma, sophomore

Replacing a legend at quarterback, Boulton showed plenty of promise, completing 100 of 174 for 1,462 yards with 29 touchdowns and just three interceptions. His 46 total TDs led all players, as he ran for 721 and 16 TDs.

McKade Bloker, Clarksville, senior

Bloker racked up 1,369 yards rushing with 25 trips to the end zone, averaging 10.3 yards per carry as the main back for his team. He also had a kickoff return for a score, posting 23 yards per touch.

Lance McShane, Maquoketa Valley, senior

It was another strong season for McShane, as the senior carried the ball 196 times for 1,779 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. He also caught six passes and was a key tackler on defense for the Wildcats.

Kaden Amigon, Columbus, senior

With an average of 13 yards per rush, Amigon was pretty much unstoppable. He ran for 1,598 yards and scored 25 touchdowns, adding a receiving score and a TD on a kickoff return.

Hunter Rademaker, North Butler, senior

It takes quite the effort to make a player of the year list off defense, but Rademaker was a difference maker, registering 10.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also helped pave the way for an offense that had over 2,300 yards.

Gentry Dumont, Iowa City Regina, senior

Dumont was almost perfect at the QB spot for the Regals, completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,813 yards with 21 TDs and just three picks. He also added 123 yards and three scores with his legs.

Preston Ries, Monticello, senior

Mr. Ries did it all for Monticello, throwing for 1,656 yards and rushing for another 1,189. He had 18 passing TDs and 20 more on the ground, adding 66 tackles with 20 for loss and three sacks on defense.

Adrien Robbins, Monroe-PCM, junior

With 1,710 yards, Robbins put himself on the map for this year and next. The junior had 21 touchdowns while adding 172 yards and a score through the air. He also averaged 18 yards per kickoff return.

Ben Gordon, Van Meter, senior

Even with defenses focusing on taking him away, Gordon still found ways to carry the Bulldogs, rushing for 1,335 yards and 18 TDs. He added 165 yards and two more scores in the passing attack while returning two kickoffs for scores.

Reece Vander Zee, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, senior

Zach Lutmer left and Vander Zee filled his role, completing 74 percent of his passes for 819 yards with 10 TDs. He also carried the ball 100 times for 1,051 yards with 12 scores, adding two receptions for 60 yards - with both resulting in trips to the end zone. 

-- Dana Becker 

Photo of Reece Vander Zee courtesy of Inside the Hawkeyes