City High inspired by late manager's positive attitude, selflessness

IOWA CITY — Coach Dan Sabers loves the camaraderie and selflessness of his veteran team.

For the longtime Iowa City High coach, there isn't a better way for his players to honor the legacy of their friend and manager Martin Luna, who died in June after a two-year battle with cancer.

'We're really coming together,' quarterback Nate Wieland said. 'Nobody is just playing for themselves right now. We all want to play for each other and win together.'

The Little Hawks will remember Luna with a decal on their helmets this season.

The team created an award in Luna's honor about being a team player and having a great attitude. Sabers said those are two traits Luna had to the end, even when he knew how dire his situation was.

'I think that's one of the underlying reasons why our team does care about each other and are willing to work hard,' Sabers said. 'I think any one of us, when you go through situations like that, it makes us appreciate the things we have. It's about a positive attitude and caring about the team first.'

Luna was a dedicated Little Hawk. He attended games, practices and meetings last season despite his illness.

His story touched the entire Iowa City community. Sabers helped lead an online crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $17,000 to help his family pay for medical expenses.

'It wasn't just our football team that came together,' senior linebacker Brock Hunger said. 'The entire community came together and we saw how much support we have. What Martin stood for really helped us see what we should be and what we should strive for.'

The Little Hawks have their eyes on a special season and a deep playoff run.

After a disappointing 2-7 finish in 2014, the Little Hawks overcame a slow start to finish 8-4 last season. Experience and overall team speed and athleticism will be two of their biggest strengths.

Four players will be three-year starters — Wieland, defensive lineman Charles Johnson, receiver/safety Naeem Smith and linebacker/fullback Dillon Africa.

Wieland, who has committed to play for Northern Illinois, returns after missing most of last season with injuries.

He had a separated shoulder and level 3 AC sprain in his left shoulder and nerve damage in his right leg. The injuries caused Wieland to miss basketball season and he didn't feel 100 percent until May.

For someone who had never sat out a game before, it was difficult.

'It made me appreciate the game and teammates a lot more,' Wieland said.

Wieland, who threw for 1,093 yards and rushed for a team-high 753 yards as a sophomore in 2014, studied a lot of film when he was limited last spring. The senior said his ability to read defenses and see all of his options has sped up significantly.

'Nate's a special athlete,' Sabers said. 'He's very hungry young man right now.'

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Senior Jared Taylor threw for 2,054 yards and 17 touchdowns as Wieland's replacement in 2015. Sabers likes to have options and said the coaching staff is finding spots to use him somewhere on the field this season.

Top rusher Bryce Frantz returns after totaling 763 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

With Luna still top of mind within the program, the Little Hawks are focused on having the right mind-set — team chemistry and understanding each other better — to work toward the same goal.

'We have one mission and that's a state title,' Hunger said. 'You can measure (success) however you want, but the ultimate goal is a state title. That's what we're trying to accomplish.'

IOWA CITY HIGH AT A GLANCE

• Coach: Dan Sabers (16th year, 124-44)

• Last year: 8-4 (lost in quarterfinals)

• Top returning letterwinners: QB Nate Wieland, WR/S Naeem Smith, RB Bryce Frantz, LB/TE Brock Hunger, LB/FB Dillon Africa, DL Charles Johnson, QB Jared Taylor, OL Joey Schnoebelen, CB Vance Dillon, LB Jordain Buckland

• Key losses: WR/DB Jason Jones, FB/LB Erick Fletcher, OL/DL Pat Henkhaus, TE/S Tom Pugh, RB James Martinez-Burney

• Key to making the playoffs: City needs to continue its strong finish from last season and Sabers is expecting significant improvement on the offensive line

• Games to watch: The Little Hawks host Ames on Sept. 9, the day before Iowa-Iowa State, in the team's first Military Appreciation Night — which includes the game ball being delivered by a sky diver and a tribute to veterans.