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MAGNIFICENT 7

All-state honors for Lynx Klein, Olson and Mathis; Hawks’ Thompson, Willis, Galetich and Hewitt

WCHS junior offensive lineman Truman Klein (70) throws a block downfield against BHRV in the Class 3A state playoffs. Klein was named to the Class 3A all-state first team by the IPSWA today. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

WEBSTER CITY — Bob Howard isn’t sure if Truman Klein would react if a ghost snuck up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder and screamed boo!

That’s just Truman. He’s a quiet kid, never one to intentionally stick out in a crowd.

But give him a helmet and pads, throw him out on a football field and tell him to take over, and the Webster City junior offensive lineman knows what to do. Even playing a position that doesn’t necessarily afford him ample opportunities to stand out, he does anyway.

“Truman’s never going to say much, but he’s an extremely hard worker,” Howard, Webster City’s Hall of Fame head coach, said. “The great thing is we get him for another year.”

Klein, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound quick guard in the Lynx single wing offense, received one of the highest honors today when he was named to the Class 3A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. He was joined on the elite squad by classmate and now two-time first-team all-state defensive back Tyler Olson. WCHS senior running back Trey Mathis was named to the second team for the second consecutive season.

Lynx senior safety Tyler Olson (80) breaks up a pass in the end zone against Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Olson was named to the Class 3A all-state first team by the IPSWA today. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

A banner fall for prep football in Hamilton County spread to South Hamilton, as the Hawks received four 1A all-state nods. Running back Trevor Thompson and offensive lineman Colton Willis were first-team selections, defensive back Brock Galetich was placed on the second team, and defensive end Carter Hewitt picked up a third-team nod.

WCHS and South Hamilton combined for a perfect 14-0 regular season and a 17-2 overall record. WCHS reached the 3A state quarterfinals, while South Hamilton advanced to the Round of 16.

While Klein isn’t a prototypical massive offensive lineman, his quickness, keen awareness of where he needs to be, and his aggressive tendencies between the lines make him a perfect fit in the Lynx offense. Routinely pulling and lead blocking on running plays off tackle, he was the locomotive for an offense that rushed for 3,108 yards and 39 touchdowns, both fourth-best in 3A.

“He’s about as good of a puller and lead blocker as I’ve ever had,” Howard said. “It’s hard to pull from the backside, avoid all the penetration and traffic, and then get up through the hole and find somebody to hit. But Truman has a positive block on nearly every off-tackle play to the strong side, and game in and game out, he plays at about the same level.”

Olson, a consensus first-team pick in 2019, was again one of the premier defensive backs in the state. Shifting from cornerback, where he collected a state-leading 12 interceptions as a junior, Olson played center field at free safety this fall and came up with three picks to go along with 32 tackles.

WCHS tailback Trey Mathis rips away from a Sergeant Bluff-Luton defender during the Class 3A state playoffs this season. Mathis was named to the Class 3A all-state second team by the IPSWA today. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Also an all-state baseball player and the reigning Daily Freeman-Journal Male Athlete of the Year, Olson concluded his career with 17 INTs, the 13th most in 11-player state history.

“Tyler played very well and is very deserving because he did a great job,” Howard said. “He got his hands on a lot of balls and the fact that other people recognized that and voted for him speaks for itself.”

Mathis wrapped his career with 2,651 yards rushing and 42 TDs, which rank eighth and fifth, respectively, in program history. The 6-1, 215-pound tailback piled up 1,318 yards and 17 scores as a senior and was again one of the premier ball carriers in the state.

“I think Trey had a great season and I think he was better this year because he blocked better,” Howard said. “He very much had an all-state year.”

For South Hamilton, Thompson served as the offensive workhorse in a backfield that ranked third in 1A. Thompson rushed for 1,326 yards — he ranked No. 3 in the class — and 17 TDs.

“Trevor had a great season and we really did ride him,” South Hamilton head coach Corey Klemp said. “There were some weeks where he played through some pain, but he never let it affect how he played. He’s just a tough, physical player.”

Much like Klein for WCHS, Willis was the anchor of South Hamilton’s dominant offensive front. He was named the 1A District 3 Lineman of the Year and played a key role in the Hawks’ offense that ranked as one of the best in the class.

“He was like the old sage of the group,” Klemp said of Willis. “He was very knowledgeable with what he was doing, and he was just fun to watch with how he took pride in his technique.”

Galetich, now a two-time second-team all-state selection, was the guy in South Hamilton’s secondary that opponents avoided simply due to his nose for the ball. Despite the lack of action at times, he still made 21 tackles and had one INT.

“The reason the stats weren’t there this year like last year (Galetich had nine INTs in 2019) was because people knew who he was and didn’t dare try to throw on him,” Klemp said.

Hewitt, a first-year varsity player, was the Hawks’ secret weapon. Despite not playing since middle school, at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he immediately stood out. Plenty of college coaches took notice; Hewitt recently verbally committed to UNI and he also has a preferred walk-on offer from Iowa.

Hewitt made 221⁄2 tackles, including 91⁄2 in the backfield with six sacks.

“I’m just really happy for Carter because he rediscovered something that maybe he didn’t even know he was missing,” Klemp said. “It was fun to see how much joy football brought him, and things really developed quickly for him. By Week 5 or 6, he was a lot to handle for everybody.”

IPSWA All-State Football Teams

CLASS 3A

First Team

Quarterback — Carter Markham, sr, North Scott.

Running Back — Wyatt Hunter, sr, Grinnell; Kody Noble, sr, BHRV; Jack Lux, sr, CR Xavier.

Wide Receiver/Tight End — Thomas Fidone, sr, CB Lewis Central; Ethan Carlson, sr, Norwalk; Connor Frame, jr, Harlan.

Offensive Line — Truman Klein, jr, Webster City; Dodge Sauser, sr, Grinnell; Henry Lutovsky, sr, Mt. Pleasant; Tyler Maro, sr, Assumption; Carlson Petlon, sr, West Delaware; Carson McCaughey, sr, North Scott.

Kicker — Lincoln Oakley, sr, CR Xavier.

Offensive Utility — Jared Voss, sr, West Delaware.

Defensive Line — Hunter Deyo, jr, CB Lewis Central; TJ Bollers, sr, Clear Creek-Amana; Mike Steffen, sr, CR Xavier; Joey Petersen, sr, North Scott.

Linebacker — Jacob Imming, jr, SB-Luton; Wyatt Voelker, jr, West Delaware; Nick Lemke, sr, CR Xavier; Will McLaughlin, jr, Harlan.

Defensive Back — Tyler Olson, sr, Webster City; Jaxon Rexroth, sr, CR Xavier; Oskar White, sr, Bondurant-Farrar; Oliver Hughes, jr, North Scott.

Punter — Tate Stine-Smith, sr, ADM.

Returner — Brock Califf, sr, Fort Madison.

Defensive Utility — Trashaun Willis, sr, Washington.

Second Team

Quarterback — Garrett Baumhover, sr, W. Dubuque.

Running Back — Trey Mathis, sr, Webster City; Dawson Forgy, jr, Winterset; Logan Katzer, sr, CB Lewis Central.

Wide Receiver/Tight End — Tommy DeSollar, sr, W. Dubuque; Ryan Blum, sr, Glenwood; Aidan Hall, soph, Harlan.

Offensive Line — Nathan McCormick, sr, Carlisle; Zach Morrison, sr, SB-Luton; Matayas Durr, sr, Grinnell; Nate Timmons, sr, Assumption; Kale Krogh, jr, Ballard; Kade Tippet, sr, North Scott.

Kicker — Nathan Donovan, sr, Wahlert.

Offensive Utility — Zach Brand, sr, DC-Grimes.

Defensive Line — Kody Huisman, sr, Pella; Nick Miller, jr, CB Lewis Central; Nick Bandy, sr, Wahlert; Callum Tackes, sr, Keokuk.

Linebacker — Eli Rose, sr, Grinnell; Landyn Van Kekerix, jr, BHRV; Myles Butkowski, sr, CR Xavier; Blake Willey, sr, DC-Grimes.

Defensive Back — CeJay Whisler, sr, Carlisle; Gabe Anstoetter, sr, Wahlert; Silas Bales, sr, Glenwood; Nic Lawton, sr, DC-Grimes.

Punter — Ben Swails, jr, Clear Creek-Amana.

Returner — Tucker Hanson, sr, Gilbert.

Defensive Utility — Owen Hamel, sr, Assumption.

Third Team

Quarterback — Tyler Smith, soph, SB-Luton.

Running Back — Caden Jones, sr, Nevada; Nic Goodhue, sr, Carlisle; Dayne Hodge, sr, Assumption.

Wide Receiver/Tight End — Caeden DaSilva, jr, Nevada; Jack Breitbach, sr, CR Xavier; Max Weaton, soph, Fairfield.

Offensive Line — Cole Miller, sr, Central DeWitt; Javier Mendez, sr, Spencer; Cody Felt, jr, ADM; Nick Tobin, sr, CR Xavier; Grant Waymire, sr, DC-Grimes; Jacob Schechinger, sr, Harlan.

Offensive Utility — Caden Matson, jr, Humboldt.

Defensive Utility — Ryan Volk, sr, CR Xavier; Zayne Laws, sr, Washington; Adam Allen, jr, North Scott; Jameson Bieker, jr, Harlan.

Linebacker — Blake Bellamy, jr, Winterset; Gabe Heitz, jr, ADM; Keaton Poe, sr, Fort Madison; Joseph Fah, jr, Harlan.

Defensive Back — Cooper Spry, sr, Oskaloosa; Chase Williamson, sr, Mt. Pleasant; Joe Manternach, sr, Assumption; Cody Burg, sr, Creston/O-M.

Punter — Ryan Mace, sr, Pella.

Returner — Joey Moser, jr, Harlan.

Defensive Utility — Christian Nunely, sr, West Delaware.

CLASS 1A

First Team

Quarterback — Cooper DeJean, sr, OABCIG.

Running Back — Trevor Thompson, sr, South Hamilton; Sam Sieren, sr, Sigourney-Keota; Dalten Van Pelt, jr, Van Meter.

Wide Receiver/Tight End — Evan Taylor, sr, Panorama; Easton Harms, jr, OABCIG; Brayden Wollan, sr, Underwood.

Offensive Line — Colton Willis, sr, South Hamilton; Jacob Leohr, sr, Dike-NH; Alex Buser, sr, Wat. Columbus; Easton Eledge, jr, Underwood; Zach Smithart, jr, Sigourney-Keota; Lincoln Olsen, jr, Van Meter.

Kicker — Jason Topete, sr, West Sioux.

Offensive Utility — Jack Pettit, jr, Van Meter.

Defensive Line — Aaron Graves, jr, SE Valley; Chris Garner, sr, Underwood; Jeff Bowie, sr, West Branch; Casey Trudo, jr, Van Meter.

Linebacker — Brennan Holder, sr, SC Calhoun; Kaleb Brouwer, sr, Dike-NH; Ethan Shever, jr, OABCIG; Calvin Sieck, sr, Van Meter.

Defensive Back — Dane Fuller, sr, Dike-NH; Ben Dunlap, sr, Emmetsburg; Alex Feldman, sr, Wat. Columbus; Brady Duwa, sr, Sigourney-Keota.

Punter — Kody VanEngelenburg, sr, Sum-Fredericksburg.

Returner — Cayden Jensen, jr, ACGC.

Defensive Utility — Beau Butler, sr, South Hardin.

Second Team

Quarterback — Domonic Walker, sr, Panorama.

Running Back — Blake McAlister, jr, SC Calhoun; Griffin Diersen, soph, OABCIG; Jack Menster, soph, Cascade.

Wide Receiver/Tight End — Griffin Greiner, jr, Cardinal; Logan Thie, sr, Mediapolis; Caden Budde, sr, West Sioux.

Offensive Line — Dalton DeWitt, sr, Central Springs; Carson Pibal, sr, SC Calhoun; Caydon Christensen, sr, Belmond-Klemme; Chris Schmidt, sr, West Sioux; Max Gilliland, sr, Van Meter; Cael Lyle, sr, Pekin.

Kicker — Caden Wareham, sr, OABCIG.

Offensive Utility — Nolan DeLong, soph, Durant.

Defensive Line — Levi Vanden Bos, sr, Western Christian; Dane Johnson, sr, Pocahontas Area; Luke Mulder, sr, Pella Christian; Ted Weber, sr, Cascade.

Linebacker — Geo Ehrig, sr, OABCIG; Payton Weehler, sr, Mount Ayr; Gavin Cornelison, jr, ACGC; Cody Boender, sr, Pella Christian.

Defensive Back — Brock Galetich, sr, South Hamilton; Bailey Baccam, sr, Western Christian; Lucas Leiferman, sr, Panorama; Wyatt Sieren, sr, Sigourney-Keota.

Punter — Blake McAlister, jr, SC Calhoun.

Returner — Trent Koelker, sr, Beckman.

Defensive Utility — Drew Taylor, sr, Panorama.

Third Team

Quarterback — Gavin Hierseman, sr, West Branch.

Running Back — Logan Cassady, jr, I-35; Drew Larsen, sr, Dike-NH; Cole Shirk, sr, Emmetsburg.

Wide Receiver/Tight End — Elliot Naughton, jr, Beckman; Caylor Hoffer, jr, Denver.

Offensive Line — Tegan Carson, jr, Central Decatur; Jared Wasson, jr, Panorama; Keaton Railsback, jr, OABCIG; Victor Gonzalez, jr, ACGC; Brayden Moffit, sr, Sigourney-Keota; Luke Kopek, jr, Denver.

Kicker — Simon Wagner, sr, Kuemper.

Offensive Utility — Alex Ravlin, soph, Underwood.

Defensive Line — Carter Hewitt, sr, South Hamilton; Ryley Snell, jr, I-35; Tage Henrichs, sr, Sibley-Ocheyedan; Brady Hawkins, sr, West Sioux.

Linebacker — Jayden Soard, jr, SC Calhoun; Tristan Mulder, sr, Western Christian; Dallas Esthoff, jr, Wat. Columbus; Samuel Bandstra, sr, East Marshall.

Defensive Back — Peyton Schmitz, jr, Sum-Fredericksburg; Beau Jenness, sr, Sibley-Ocheyedan; Trae Ehlen, sr, Mt. Ayr; Scott Pearson, jr, Underwood.

Punter — Treyton Bainbridge, sr, Van Buren.

Defensive Utility — Nathan Zupke, sr, Sum.-Fredericksburg.

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