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DES MOINES, Iowa – Based on the numbers, Kyle Holmes was an average punter last season.

A year later, the Wilton senior football player is a first team all-stater.

After compiling a 28.8 average on 29 punts in 2008, Holmes increased his average to 40.23 yards on 42 punts this fall for the Beavers and was named to the Iowa Newspaper Association’s top team in Class 2A that was released today.

“As you keep doing it, you get more used to it and it comes to you,” Holmes said. “Last year, I just didn’t have to punt as much.

“This sounds bad because it’s not a good thing, but I like punting.”

Holmes said punting runs in the family. His father, Scott, was a starting punter in high school as was his older brother.

“As a freshman, my dad and I would go out to the back yard and work on it,” Holmes said. “I got into it and enjoyed it a lot.”

In fact, the two would have competitions in the yard.

“At first, my dad won, but I eventually took over,” Holmes said.

Holmes had a 70-yard punt against Center Point-Urbana this season.

“Right when it comes off the foot, you know if it’s good or bad,” he said. “That one felt perfect. I was amazed by it.”

Also a basketball and baseball player, Holmes – who was the team leader in receiving with 32 receptions for 610 yards – said he’s considered punting at the collegiate level.

“I think it’d be fun to do,” he said. “I’m looking into it.”

Meanwhile, Muscatine junior Isaac Ales was named to the second team in Class 4A at defensive line. Ales, the team’s second-leading tackler with 78 stops, registered 17 tackles for loss and 61/2 sacks this season.

Ales’ best game may have come at Burlington. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound end forced two fumbles and compiled 21/2 sacks in the game.

“It was my best high school football season I’ve had,” said Ales, who was moved up to the varsity as a freshman. “The season didn’t go as we wanted as a team, but I was happy with the year I had.”

In Class 2A, Columbus tailback Jared Eichelberger and West Liberty defensive back Jonathan Lopez were third-team selections.

Eichelberger led 2A in rushing during the regular season with 1,605 yards on 283 carries. The 5-10, 190-pound senior averaged nearly six yards per carry and tallied 14 touchdowns.

“Most of our success came through Jared,” Columbus coach Jeff Martin said. “We were not a great football team, but Jared could play on any team in the state and have a lot of success.”

Lopez, West Liberty’s top receiver, was second in 2A with eight interceptions.

Meanwhile, Wapello quarterback Taylor Jacobsmeier and receiver Jacob LaFayette were selected to the third team in Class 1A.

Jacobsmeier, a senior, accounted for 29 total touchdowns (19 passing and 10 rushing) and was intercepted only four times in 210 attempts.  LaFayette, a junior, had a team-high 51 receptions for 808 yards and five touchdowns. The 51 catches ranked third in 1A.

“Both of those guys had special years for us,” Wapello coach Todd Parsons said recently. “As good as they are on the football field, they’re great kids off the field.”

Three of the all-state captains – Iowa City High’s A.J. Derby (4A), Harlan’s Matt Hoch (3A) and Solon’s James Morris (2A) – are committed to playing football at the University of Iowa next year. All three won state championships this season.

Class 4A

First team

Offense

Quarterback – Chanse Creekmur, Marshalltown, 6-7, 206, sr.

Running backs – Andre Dawson, C.R. Washington, 6-2, 212, sr.; Jer German, Linn-Mar, 5-9, 170, jr.; Jevoury Wedderburn, Urbandale, 6-1, 190, sr.

Receivers – Jarred Carlson, Marshalltown, 6-3, 177, sr.; Colin O’Connor, C.R. Xavier, 6-1, 185, sr.

Tight end – Ben Boesen, West Des Moines Dowling, 6-4, 185, jr.

Linemen – Tommy Gaul, West Des Moines Dowling, 6-3, 225, sr.; James Kohler, Ames, 6-7, 240, sr.; David Parry, Linn-Mar, 6-3, 285, sr.; Jesse Leyendecker, Iowa City High, 6-2, 285, sr.; Matt Huffer, C.R. Washington, 6-7, 240, sr.

Kicker – Bryan Blazek, West Des Moines Dowling, 5-11, 160, sr.

Utility – x-A.J. Derby, Iowa City High, 6-4, 223, sr.

Defense

Linemen – David Ryberg, C.R. Xavier, 5-11, 215, sr.; Spencer Emerson, West Des Moines Dowling, 6-2, 275, sr.; Nick Vron, West Des Moines Valley, 6-3, 230, sr.; Aaron Gonzalez, Marshalltown, 6-0, 262, sr.

Linebackers – Chad Gilson, Urbandale, 6-1, 220, sr.; Jon Vance, Marshalltown, 5-9, 190, sr.; Saxon Dolan, C.R. Washington, 5-10, 185, sr.; James Taylor, Iowa City High, 5-11, 165, sr.

Secondary – David Johnson, Clinton, 6-1, 200, sr.; Ronnie Henderson, C.R. Washington, 5-9, 165, sr.; Michael Wetrich, Ottumwa, 5-11, 150, sr.

Punter – Mike Meyer, Dubuque Wahlert, 6-2, 170, sr.

Utility – Jake Farley, Cedar Falls, 6-2, 215, sr.

x – Derby was named captain of the 4A team.

Second team

(MAC players only)

Offense

Lineman – Steve Ralston, Clinton, 6-1, 255, sr.

Defense

Linemen – Austin Krick, Clinton, 6-2, 220, sr.; Isaac Ales, Muscatien, 6-2, 225, jr.

Linebackers – Daniel Byrne, Bettendorf, 6-3, 215, sr.

Third team

(MAC players only)

Offense

Lineman – Jeremy Jacobsen, Bettendorf, 6-4, 280, sr.

Running backs – Ryan Byrne, Assumption, 5-11, 195, sr.

Defense

Lineman – Sam Gervase, Assumption, 6-3, 215, sr.; Brody Berrie, Bettendorf, 6-0, 280, jr.

Punter – Austin Miller, North Scott, 6-3, 175, jr.

Class 3A

First team

Offense

Quarterback – Zach McCabe, Sioux City Heelan, 6-7, 220, sr.

Running backs – Tanner Susin, Centerville, 6-0, 221, so.; Dylan Barrett, Harlan, 6-0, 185, sr.; Cord Slaymaker, Williamsburg, 5-6, 140, sr.

Receivers – Nick Berger, Sioux City Heelan, 5-11, 165, sr.; Jared Wauters, Union LaPorte City, 6-0, 187, sr.

Tight end – Adam Cave, Harlan, 6-3, 200, jr.

Linemen – Kyle Bauer, Carroll, 6-1, 265, sr.; Mark Langenfeld, Harlan, 6-2, 255, sr.; Brandon Scherff, Denison-Schleswig, 6-5, 300, sr.; Austin Blythe, Williamsburg, 6-3, 275, jr.; Nathan Seibert, Dallas Center-Grimes, 6-0, 220, sr.

Kicker – Dustin Hiserote, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 6-1, 190, sr.

Utility – Michael Kaufman, Harlan, 5-11, 155, sr.

Defense

Linemen – Jordan Thelen, Carroll, 6-0, 195, sr.; Kvan Fahn, Harlan, 6-4, 200, sr.; Dylan Boyd, New Hampton, 6-4, 235, sr.; Zach Brennan, ADM (Adel), 6-1, 215, sr.

Linebackers – Ethan Tindall, Clear Lake, 6-1, 205, sr.; x-Matt Hoch, Harlan, 6-4, 245, sr.; George Wakeman, Sioux City Heelan, 6-2, 185, sr.; Matt Meyers, Pella, 6-2, 210, sr.

Secondary – Bryan Kloewer, Harlan, 6-1, 190, sr.; Dalton Crawford, Grinnell, 6-0, 175, sr.; Jake Kopriva, Clear Lake, 5-9, 160, sr.

Punter – Blaine Forsythe, Pella, 6-2, 185, sr.

Utility – Dylan Blankenship, Glenwood, 6-0, 220, sr.

x – Hoch was named captain of the 3A team.

Class 2A

First team

Offense

Quarterback – Josh Vander Maten, Rock Valley/Boyden-Hull, 6-3, 190, sr.

Running backs – x-James Morris, Solon, 6-1, 210, sr.; Tanner Miller, Mid-Prairie, 6-2, 185, sr.; Tanner Mork, North Fayette, 5-10, 200, sr.

Receivers – Tucker Henderson, Davis County, 6-1, 180, sr.; Dylan Hansen, Collins-Maxwell/Baxter, 6-1, 180, sr.

Tight end – Jesse Beringer, Cascade, 5-11, 175, sr.

Linemen – Andy Constant, Solon, 6-0, 200, sr.; Christian Boehmer, Mid-Prairie, 6-4, 267, sr.; Gary Balk, North Fayette, 5-10, 255, sr.; Jeff Van DenTop Rock Valley/Boyden-Hull, 6-5, 230, sr.; Evan Constant, Solon, 6-1, 205, sr.

Kicker – Marshall Koehn, Solon, 5-10, 160, jr.

Utility – Drake Ferch, West Marshall, 6-0, 190, sr.

Defense

Linemen – Jared Henkenius, Carroll Kuemper, 6-1, 230, jr.; Anthony Harrington, Pocahontas Area, 6-0, 185, sr.; Rick Blake, IKM-Manning, 6-2, 180, jr.; Braden Lehman, Iowa City Regina, 6-6, 209, jr.

Linebackers – Andy Ashton, Solon, 5-10, 190, sr.; Brad Ringhofer, Osage, 5-10, 190, sr.; Nate VanGinkle, Rock Valley/Boyden-Hull, 6-0, 175, sr.; Nick Monzu, Missouri Valley, 6-0, 190, sr.

Secondary – Tom Nesvik, North Fayette, 5-11, 175, sr.; J.T. Lee, Osage, 5-8, 145, sr.; Bryce Irlbeck, IKM-Manning, 5-10, 188, sr.

Punter – Kyle Holmes, Wilton, 6-2, 175, sr.

Utility – Jerad Croghan, IKM-Manning, 6-1, 185, sr.

x – Morris was named captain of the 2A team.

Second team

(players in area districts)

Offense

Quarterback – Coleton Mathews, Davis County, 6-2, 200, sr.

Receiver – Derrick Loveless, Solon, 6-2, 190, jr.

Tight end – Jake Holsteen, Mediapolis, 6-3, 190, sr.

Kicker – Daniel Larew, Iowa City Regina, 5-9, 170, jr.

Defense

Lineman – Stewart Hollaway, West Burlington/N.D., 6-2, 208, sr.

Linebackers – Kevin Arnold, Iowa City Regina, 6-3, 222, sr.; Blake Wulf, Mediapolis, 6-1, 200, sr.

Secondary – Andrew Schilling, West Burlington/N.D., 6-0, 160, sr.

Third team

(players in area districts)

Offense

Running back – Jared Eichelberger, Columbus, 5-10, 190, sr.

Lineman – Kalvin Hill, Davis County, 6-1, 205, sr.

Defense

Linebackers – Zach Fligg, Davis County, 5-8, 155, jr.; Micah Berg, Mid-Prairie, 6-1, 200, sr.

Secondary – Jonathan Lopez, West Liberty, 5-10, 165, sr.; Jacob Edleman, North Cedar, 6-0, 165, sr.

Class 1A

First team

Offense

Quarterback – x-Jake Waters, Council Bluffs St. Albert, 6-2, 195, sr.

Running backs – Alex Hornbuckle, Aplington-Parkersburg, 6-0, 185, sr.; Jesse Selgeby, West Lyon, 5-9, 165, sr.; Cole Kelly, West Branch, 6-0, 180, sr.

Receivers – Zach Steinhoff, Manson NW Webster, 6-2, 175, sr.; Steve O’Neill, Council Bluffs St. Albert, 5-11, 165, jr.

Tight end – Mike Martin, Prairie Valley, 6-2, 180, sr.

Linemen – Jack Rummells, West Branch, 6-4, 250, sr.; Justin Brinkman, Prairie Valley, 6-3, 220, sr.; Ethan Kroll, Hinton, 6-3, 223, sr.; Kyle Scholten, West Lyon, 6-4, 225, sr.; John Ruddy, Emmetsburg, 6-4, 230, sr.

Kicker – Gabe Meis, Council Bluffs St. Albert, 6-0, 170, jr.

Utility – Jordan Andera, South Winneshiek, 6-1, 185, sr.

Defense

Linemen – Evan Mikels, Logan-Magnolia, 6-2, 217, jr.; Eric Golwitzer, Council Bluffs St. Albert, 6-2, 195, sr.; Scott Becker, Aplington-Parkersburg, 6-1, 215, sr.; Wes Homeister, Denver, 5-10, 160, sr.

Linebackers – Lucas Geneser, Woodward-Granger, 6-1, 190, sr.; Kyle Twait, Manson Northwest Webster, 6-3, 209, sr.; Tanner Hageman, South Winneshiek, 6-1, 205, sr.; Seth Vande Voort, Des Moines Christian, 6-0, 215, sr.

Secondary – Alex Maule, West Monona, 6-0, 180, sr.; Logan Einck, South Winneshiek, 6-3, 180, sr.; Logan Keehner, Clayton Ridge, 6-2, 200, sr.

Punter – Levi Ross, Grundy Center, 5-9, 160, sr.

Utility – Andrew Brown, Council Bluffs St. Albert, 5-11, 180, sr.

x – Waters was named captain of the 1A team.

Second team

(players in area districts)

Offense

Running back – Jacob Batterson, Eddyville-Blakesburg, 5-11, 185, sr.

Defense

Secondary – Dalton Stone, Pekin, 5-10, 170, sr.

Third team

(players in area districts)

Offense

Quarterback – Taylor Jacobsmeier, Wapello, 6-1, 160, sr.

Receiver – Jacob LaFayette, Wapello, 5-11, 165, jr.

Tight end – Chris Janss, Belle Plaine, 6-2, 175, sr.

Lineman – Austin Adam, Pekin, 6-1, 220, sr.

Kicker – Brandon Young, West Branch, so.

Class A

First team

Quarterback – Seth Enke, AHST (Avoca), 6-1, 165, sr.

Running backs – Louie Wickett, Madrid, 5-10, 175, sr.; Dylan Youel, North Tama, 6-3, 205, sr.; Austin Klett, Clay Central-Everly, 6-3, 190, sr.

Receivers – Connor Gilland, AHST (Avoca), 6-0, 185, sr.; Andrew Stone, Cedar Falls NU High, 5-11, 153, jr.

Tight end – Jordan Hensely, Earlham, 6-0, 175, sr.

Linemen – Eric Simmons, Madrid, 6-3, 245, jr.; Blake Goodenbour, East Buchanan, 6-4, 230, sr.; Zach Schmidt, Wapsie Valley, 6-4, 240, sr.; Cole Blair, Lake City Southern Cal, 6-0, 215, jr.; Will Martin, Mason City Newman, 6-1, 200, sr.

Kicker – Troy Friederich, Postville, 5-10, 165, sr.

Utility – Coreg Meyer, Lake City Southern Cal, 5-10, 183, sr.

Defense

Linemen – J.J. Little, Wapsie Valley, 6-1, 240, sr.; Matt Popelka, North Tama, 6-2, 220, sr.; Mike Sievers, Madrid, 6-6, 235, jr.; Cole Heissel, LeMars Gehlen, 6-6, 240, sr.

Linebackers – Grant Vesley, North Tama, 6-2, 210, sr.; Jordon Walston, Bedford, 5-11, 162, jr.; Jake Camp, Van Meter, 6-3, 200, sr.; Johnny Hines, Cedar Falls NU High 6-2, 204, sr.

Secondary – Christopher Carlson, Akron-Westfield, 6-0, 190, sr.; James Weida, North Tama, 6-1, 160, sr.; Robbie Quintro, Mason City Newman, 5-7, 145, jr.

Punter – Damon Bryan, Montezuma.

Utility – x-Matthew Schlisman, Lake City Southern Cal, 5-10, 170, sr.