Senior QB Kramer focused on helping CPU reach playoffs in tough district

Clayton Kramer hasn't always been the big man on the Center Point-Urbana campus.

Kramer, the Stormin' Pointers' returning senior starter at quarterback, played football in fifth and sixth grade, but sat out in junior high.

'I didn't think I'd be that good because I was always so small,” he said.

A 6-inch growth spurt before his freshman year got Kramer back on the gridiron.

'I got stronger and I kept throwing the football around,” Kramer said. 'I got confidence as I grew and all my friends were doing it. I figured, what did I have to lose?”

Now Kramer is the guy CPU is relying upon to win and get it back to the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years under Coach Dan Burke.

'He's a good overall athlete and our linemen love him,” Burke said of Kramer, who completed 40.9 percent of his passes for 779 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago. 'He missed those two years, but he's right where he needs to be right now.”

Kramer worked with his receiving corps over the summer and said he thinks the passing game will be more effective this season.

CPU finished 6-4 last year with a first-round loss to Union in the Class 2A playoffs. The Stormin' Pointers were the only team to defeat eventual state champion North Fayette Valley.

There are three big holes to fill from last year's team: leading rusher Brandon Kinsey (1,256 yards), receiver Alec Burke (30 catches, 418 yards) and tackler Wyatt Sadler (94 solo stops).

Kinsey's role may be filled by junior JoJo Frost, a speedy track hurdler who was elevated to the varsity for the season finale and playoffs.

'We have been looking for ways to get him the ball,” Burke said.

Senior Marshall Zittergruen returns to anchor the offensive line and terrorize opposing quarterbacks from his spot at linebacker.

'He has a great motor and he's just an animal,” Burke said of Zittergruen.

Other starters returning in the line are seniors Cameron Bantz and Nate Eckhardt. The unit will be bolstered by senior Zach Jacobi, who transferred in just before last season started and was ineligible to play for the varsity.

'One of our goals is to get to the playoffs, and then to get past the first round,” Kramer said.

The Stormin' Pointers are 0-5 in the playoffs under Burke.

'If I do my job and everybody else does their jobs, I think we can get it done,” Kramer said.

CENTER POINT-URBANA, at a glance

Coach: Dan Burke (8th year, 32-36)

Last year: 6-4, lost in first round of Class 2A playoffs

Returning letterwinners: WR/DB Jace Jirak, QB/PK Clayton Kramer, RB Sam Gosnell, RB/LB Cole Franck, RB/LB Trevor Rommann, RB/LB Trevor Franzenburg, DE/OL Marshall Zittergruen, OL/DL Cameron Bantz, OL/DL Nate Eckhardt, TE/DL Mitch Sullivan, DB Chandler Johnson, DB Kevin Schlotfeldt

Key losses: RB/P Brandon Kinsey, WR Alec Burke, LB Wyatt Sadler, DB Mason McCauley, OL/DL Ryan Oliver

Key to making playoffs: Stay healthy. CPU has the experience and depth to compete in what may be the state's toughest district, regardless of class. The Stormin' Pointers will be in the midst of what appears to be a five-team melee for four playoff berths. Among those contending are defending state champion North Fayette Valley and state semifinalist Dyersville Beckman. The non-district slate has three playoff qualifiers from a year ago: Clear Creek Amana, Union and Mount Vernon. It shapes up to be a physically demanding slate.

Game(s) to watch: Sept. 11, at North Fayette Valley; Sept. 25, at New Hampton; Oct. 23, vs. Dyersville Beckman

Schedule (*district game)

Aug. 28 - at Clear Creek Amana

Sept. 4 - Union

Sept. 11 - *at North Fayette Valley

Sept. 18 - *Waterloo Columbus

Sept. 25 - *at New Hampton

Oct. 2 - Mount Vernon

Oct. 9 - *Oelwein

Oct. 16 - *at Waukon

Oct. 23 - *Dyersville Beckman