Evan Flitz displays humility, leadership for Iowa City West as numbers keep adding up

IOWA CITY — The numbers for Evan Flitz leap off the stat sheet.

But Flitz's impact for undefeated and top-ranked Iowa City West goes far beyond raw numbers.

As the quarterback for the 9-0 Trojans, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior has met expectations. He has completed almost 72 percent of his passes for 2,157 yards, thrown for a school-record 24 touchdowns, rushed 436 yards and scored 10 TDs (one as a receiver).

West Coach Garrett Hartwig said Flitz has exceeded expectations, but not where most would think as the Trojans prepare to host Cedar Rapids Washington in a Class 4A opening round game Friday night at Trojan Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

'The production hasn't been a surprise,' Hartwig said. 'What has surprised me is the character he has shown and the leadership and maturity that he has handled everything with.

'When I say he has exceeded expectations, it is in the little things that he does. He carries himself like a leader. He carries himself as a student of the game of football and he is very humble along the way.'

Flitz said any leadership skills he has acquired begin with Hartwig, calling him, 'not just a coach, but a mentor and a teacher.'

Beyond his head coach, Flitz gives credit to the example set by last year's senior class which included all-staters Oliver Martin and Devontae Lane for carrying on a tradition of leadership at West.

'The credit goes to the senior class last year,' he said. 'Those guys were great mentors to me so I knew how beneficial that was to me as an underclassman.

'This year, I wanted to engage the juniors on the varsity. We have juniors, and now sophomores with the playoffs, who make plays for us. I want those guys to feel comfortable, just like I did last year.'

Flitz remains humble about his on-field accomplishments. He set West career marks for passing yards (4,419) and completions (283), but said his focus is all about the team.

'I don't really think about it too much,' he said about the praise that has come his way. 'I see any numbers or statistical records as an indicator that we have a good team because number without team success really don't mean anything.'

Flitz and Hartwig acknowledge the ultimate goal for West is to go one step farther in 2017 after falling to four-time defending state champion West Des Moines Dowling, 23-10, in the 2016 title game.

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'One thing I have noticed about this group is that there are no egos,' Hartwig said. 'They do what they are asked to do and that is a tribute to their character. It will be a challenge each playoff game because every team is capable of winning.'

For Flitz, who is exploring his college options and hopes to make a decision sometime after Thanksgiving, a state title would mean a lot to a lot of people associated with West.

'With the level of community support that we have in our school and our district, it would mean a lot to them,' he said. 'The team worked hard all summer and to win a title would mean a lot for this side of town.'