Video: Jack Bertram's highlights vs. Ankeny Centennial High School
See the Dowling senior linebacker in action from 2016.
MaxPreps 2017 Iowa Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Dowling (West Des Moines)2016 record: 12-1
Head coach: Tom Wilson
Dowling has won four straight 4A titles, 52 of its last 54 games and shows no signs up letting up.
Though they lost more than 2,500 yards rushing and 27 scores in graduated senior running back Jacob Zachary and Cole Deskin, the Maroons should look to
Matt Moore and
John Schmidt to step in to those roles.
Mitch Riggs returns at linebacker for his senior season, and All-State offensive lineman
Zach Ross returns, as does All-State defensive lineman
John Waggoner.
See the MaxPreps Iowa Football Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. Pella 2016 record: 14-0
Head coach: Jay McKinstrey
The Dutch have won 41 straight games as well as three consecutive 3A titles.
Pella must replace Nick Finney at quarterback after he threw for more than 3,500 yards in last year's title season. Also gone are wideouts Donovan Holterhaus and Ryan Van Wyk.
Avery Vanzee should lead the Pella ground attack behind a good-sized line that includes
Logan Hudson and
Clayton Steven.
All-State linebacker
Lucas Warner is back for his senior season, and
Nick DeJong is a big body (6-6, 240 pounds) on the defensive line and at tight end.
See the MaxPreps Iowa football stat leaders3. Valley (West Des Moines)2016 record: 10-1
Head coach: Gary Swenson
All-State quarterback Rocky Lombardi is gone to Michigan State, but the Tigers should have three-sport athlete
Jevon Mason back at running back.
Beau Lombardi, Rocky's brother, could step into the quarterback spot and will have a young line protecting him led by rising senior tackles
Nash Thompson (6-4, 202 pounds) and
Adam Klinkner (6-1, 240 pounds).
See the MaxPreps Iowa football playoff brackets4. Ankeny Centennial2016 record: 10-2
Head coaches: Jerry and Ryan Pezzetti
The Jaguars look poised for 2017 with rising senior quarterback
Chance Gibbons back and a trio of back in
Jensen Gates,
Sam Snyder and
Kole Denny ready to carry the rock for coaches Jerry and Ryan Pezzetti.
Tackle
Joseph Weringa is an imposing force on the line at 6-4, 280 pounds and tight end
Benjamin Breeding is a massive target at 6-5, 205 pounds.
See the MaxPreps Iowa football photo galleries5. Webster City2016 record: 11-2
Head coach: Bob Howard
The Lynx lose quarterback Drew Fielder to graduation, but have a triumvirate of rising seniors returning, including
Luke Rohmiller,
Max Hackbarth and
Zane Williams.
All-State offensive lineman
Cooper Lawson returns, as does rising junior linebacker
Caleb Olson, a second team All-State pick.