Cascade football powered by Mick Hoffman’s strong start

CASCADE – Mick Hoffman follows in his family’s footsteps.

The family has almost become synonymous with Cascade athletics, so he had plenty of examples to emulate and standards to meet.

They have excelled from the volleyball to basketball courts and from the summer diamonds to the football field. Cougars sports have been a big part of Hoffman’s life.

“My while like I’ve been around sports,” the younger Hoffman said. “I’ve been around my siblings and cousins. It definitely runs in the family.”

Hoffman is adding to their legacy. The senior quarterback ranks among the state’s top passers, leading Class 1A in multiple categories and helping Cascade to a 4-1 record before Friday’s game against rival and No. 9 Dyersville Beckman.

The Cougars have won four consecutive games after a season-opening two-point loss to unbeaten Bellevue.

“It’s been going really good, really smooth,” Hoffman said. “We knew we were a good team and had to bounce back from that. We have been playing really well these past four weeks.”

Hoffman draws inspiration from his relatives. His older sister, Jess, was a three-sport athlete who surpassed 1,000 assists as an all-conference setter.

His other sister, Ally, was an all-state basketball player, who ranks among the school’s best in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

Older brother, and former teammate, Cass, was an all-district football player and all-conference player in basketball and baseball. His cousin, Trace, excelled in three sports and pitched for the University of Iowa baseball team.

They may have engaged in debate (smack talk) about who is the best athlete in the family. Hoffman admits each have made a claim for the distinction.

“I’m very competitive,” Hoffman said. “I want to be better than my siblings. It definitely pushes and motivates me to be the best I can.”

Hoffman passed for more than 1,200 yards and had eight touchdowns last season. First-year Cascade head coach Ryan Altiere and his staff realized the receiving corps was talented and an effective pass attack would depend on Hoffman’s development of a passer. During summer 7-on-7 activity, Hoffman displayed the growth from last season.

“You could just see the ball was just coming out of his hand a lot crisper,” Altiere said. “The spin rate on his throws were a lot stronger.

“I was very proud of him. He developed so nicely. We really tailored the offense to his strengths.”

In an era of specialization, Hoffman still plays basketball and baseball. He found time to build chemistry with receivers and get stronger in the offseason. Altiere supported other pursuits instead of monopolizing his time.

“I’m a big advocate of competing year-round,” Altiere said. “My big focus for him was just to excel in those sports. Learn to be great in those sports as well. I truly believe that will carry over into football.

Hoffman has already posted his best season in half as many games. He has passed for 1,239 yards and amassed 1,499 total offensive yards, ranking second in 1A, while his 18 touchdowns and 110 completions lead the class. Hoffman has connected on 71.9 percent of his passes and is third in 1A in pass attempts (153) and QB rating (178.7).

“My coaches put me in position to be successful,” Hoffman said. “I have great weapons. Having those guys around me and coaches and teammates that trust me makes my job easier.”

Despite coming up just short, the second-half comeback against Bellevue was a sign of Hoffman’s potential coming to fruition.

“From there it’s really evolved our playbook because he’s been able to do so many great things through the air,” Altiere said. “We’ve been able to add some concepts and make it a focal point of our offense because it’s been so effective.

“You complete 72 percent of your passes, throw 18 touchdowns and no picks. I’d be a fool not to throw a little bit more.”

Another defining moment came late in a 14-7 win over Hudson in Week 2. Clinging to the lead in the final minutes and needing a third-down conversion, Hoffman called time out and asked Altiere to buck convention, calling for a pass and risking to stop the clock on an incompletion.

Hoffman connected with Kal Manternach for a first down and Jackson Green’s rush helped run down clock for a win.

“He had ice water in his veins,” Altiere said. “He had the confidence and that’s what we have to do. When your quarterback has that conviction you have to listen sometimes.”

Leaders embrace the opportunities to make big plays. Hoffman said that is his mentality. He is spurred on by his work in practice and watches film whenever possible, even in class sometimes.

“I believe you don’t win the game on Friday nights,” Hoffman said. “You win during your preparation that week. It helps build confidence and helps you rise up in big moments.

“I just enjoy finding the little things a defense might do or finding any advantage I can to help our team be successful.

Effectiveness is fused with efficiency. Hoffman completed 25 of 29 passes for 244 yards and six TDs in a 49-13.

After picking apart Northeast with short passes, he was able to throw over the top for long gains, including a 66-yard scoring strike to Eli Fritz. Hoffman has passed for more than 225 yards and multiple TDs each game.

“He really dedicated himself to getting stronger the last nine to 10 months,” Altiere said. “That strength has carried over. He’s able to make more throws this year than last.”

Hoffman is quick to praise his teammates, especially the receivers. Fritz leads 1A with 41 catches and ranks fifth with 473 yards. Brody Otting’s eight TD receptions is tops in 1A. Manternach, Green and Jake Hosch make it tough on a defense.

“It’s not just one or two guys. It’s four, five and six,” Hoffman said. “When I can spread the ball around that much it puts pressure on the defense. I know I can trust those guys to catch everything.”

Hoffman said the Cougars have a strong rapport because they have been playing together since they were 8 years old. They have good chemistry that powers them in competition.

“The senior group is very special,” Altiere said. “They are great kids. They care bout each other. They care about the program. They care about all their programs. They want to see Cascade succeed.”

Cascade averages 32 points per game. The Cougars will face a Beckman team that only allows 8.8 per contest. The meeting promises a contrast in style, pitting the Blazers’ hard-nosed play with the Cougars’ wide-open attack. Regardless of the outcome, the goal is to get better each week.

“Starting 4-1 is great but we don’t want to be playing our best football right now,” Hoffman said. “We want to do that when the playoffs come.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com