Matt Levins - The Hawk Eye / Photo Credit- Dan Hockett
While no area teams made a deep run in the playoffs this year, there were still plenty of memorable moments, record-setting performances and outstanding plays.
Keokuk cranked up its high-powered offense under coach Marvin McNutt. Burlington had a run at the playoffs fall just short with a difficult closing schedule. West Burlington-Notre Dame also made a run at getting back to the playoff.
In the end, Mount Pleasant, Mediapolis, Danville, Wapello, Columbus and West Central made postseason appearances.
With plenty of talent returning next season, there is plenty of reason for optimism.
That talent is reflected in the 2025 All-Hawk Eye football offense.
QUARTERBACK
Jadyn Burton, so., Keokuk
Burton is the latest great signal caller for the Chiefs, who have had numerous outstanding quarterbacks in the past. Burton earned second team all-district honors after completing 142-of-232 passes for 2,191 yards and 25 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He averaged 15.4 yards per completion. He also scored four rushing touchdowns.
RUNNING BACKS
Parker Holsteen, sr., Mediapolis
Mediapolis has long been known for its ability to run the ball and the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Holsteen certainly is in that company. Holsteen earned first team all-district honors after helping the Bulldogs to a 5-5 record and a spot in the playoffs, where they went 1-1. Holsteen rushed for 912 yards on 189 carries, an average of 4.8 yards per carry. He scored 16 touchdowns and had a long run of 52 yards. He also caught four passes for 23 yards.
Jayden Nanthan, so., West Burlington-Notre Dame
Following in the footsteps of record-setting Quincy Collins, Nanthan made a name for himself for his bruising style of running. He rushed for 1,276 yards on174 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He score 10 touchdowns and had a long run of 68 yards. He also caught six passes for 42 yards for the 3-5 Falcons. He was a first team all-district pick.
Hayden Shelman, jr., WACO
Shelman spent part of the season at quarterback for the Warriors, but did the majority of his damage with his feat. He rushed for 1,212 yards on 171 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, He scored 18 touchdowns and had a 64-yard run. He earned first team all-district honors as a running back.
Keshawn Wyldon, sr., Burlington
Wyldon was the Grayhounds’ game-breaker, rushing for 1,193 yards on 119 carries, an average of 10 yards a carry. That included a 98-yard scoring run against Davenport West. He scored 16 touchdowns for the 5-4 Grayhounds. He also caught three passes for 68 yards and two scores. He was a first team all-district selection.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Gannon Gunn, sr., Mediapolis
Gunn was brilliant as a wideout for the Bulldogs, helping to stretch opposing defenses and giving Holsteen room to run. Gunn hauled in 40 passes for 613 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch. He had a catch of 35 yards and scored four touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Kurt Joy, so., Keokuk
Joy certainly lived up to his name for the Chiefs, becoming one of the state’s top wideouts. With former Iowa great Marvin McNutt calling the plays and Burton slinging the ball, Joy was able to run wild. He hauled in 47 passes for 718 yards and eight scores, including one of 77 yards. He averaged 15.3 yards every time he caught a pass. He was one of the Chiefs’ many offensive weapons.
TIGHT END
Jezden Nupp, jr., West Burlington-Notre Dame
Nupp was a pleasant surprise for the run heavy Falcons. At 5-10, 190 pounds, Nupp was a bruising force in the running game, punishing linebackers and defense backs to open holes for Nanthan. When called upon, Nupp showed he has soft hands, hauling in 16 passes for 236 yards and two scores. He averaged 14.8 yards per catch and doled out punishment to secondary people trying to bring him down. He was a first team all-district selection.
LINEMEN
Tavian Harris, jr., Burlington
Harris, at 6-3, 335 pounds, is a human bulldozer, churning up everything in his wake. When the Grayhounds needed yardage, more often than not they ran behind Harris. When Harris got up a head of steam, there was no one stopping him. He earned first team all-district honors after helped BHS score 39 offensive touchdowns.
Caden Huff, sr., Burlington
Huff, at 5-10, 215, was another force on the line for the Grayhounds’ powerful ground attack. He earned second team all-district honors for his no-nonsense physical approach to the game. He helped the Grayhounds churn out 3,119 yards of total offense.
Parker Lange, sr., Mediapolis
Lange, a six-foot, 240 road grader, is the latest in a long line of great offensive linemen for the Bulldogs. He earned first team all-district honors after helping Mediapolis scored 28 offensive touchdowns and grind out 2,713 yards of offense for a team not many people outside of Mediapolis thought had a shot of making it to the playoffs, let along win a postseason game.
Carter Myers, sr., Mount Pleasant
Myers was one of the big reasons for the Panthers’ revival under coach John Bowlin. The 6-1, 225-pounder led the way for a potent ground attack. The Panthers had 2,839 yards of total offense, averaging 14.2 yards per pass and 4.1 yards per rush. The offensive line was the key to the turnaround. He was the Offensive Line Most Valuable Player for the district.
Keaton Ruebush, sr., West Central
The Heat had a formidable rushing game and it all started with the 5-10, 230-pound Ruebush up front. The Heat posted a 7-2 record in the 8-Man West, including 6-1 against league foes. The Heat qualified for the playoffs, losing in the first round.
KICKER
Dylan White, sr., Mount Pleasant
White, a phenomenal soccer player, was the district Specialist Most Valuable Player. White made 7-of-11 field goals this season, including one of 43 yards. He was 33-of-34 on PATs and averaged 37.5 yards on kickoffs. He was a dangerous weapon in the Panthers’ arsenal.
COACH OF THE YEAR
John Bowlin, Mount Pleasant
Bowlin’s fourth season at the helm was by far his best yet. One year after ending a 23-game losing streak and posting a 4-5 record, the Panthers finished second in the district behind Solon with a 4-1 record and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The Panthers finished with a 7-3, losing, 35-21, to a powerful West Delaware team in the playoffs. The stage is set for more big things to come under Bowlin’s guidance.