Prairie’s Keegan Simmons named Metro Player of the Year

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Prairie's Keegan Simmons has earned plenty of yards and touchdowns this season.

The junior running back also earned some recognition for his performances. He can add one more to the list.

Simmons was named 2017 prep football all-Metro team Player of the Year and was one of four Hawks voted to the first team by Cedar Rapids and Marion football coaches. Class 3A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier led all programs with six total first-team selections. Kennedy, Marion and Prairie each had four.

Simmons set a Prairie single-season rushing record with 1,822 yards. He rushed for 25 touchdowns and added 92 yards and a TD as a receiver. Simmons also averaged 21.1 yards per kickoff return, helping Prairie reach the playoffs and a district runner-up finish to Class 4A top-ranked Iowa City West.

'He's been a true blessing for us this year,' Prairie Coach Mark Bliss said before the regular-season finale with Kennedy. I'm very proud of his efforts and what he's done.'

Simmons was joined on the first-team offense by backfield teammate Braxton Zimmerman and Tyler Graham. Grant Smith was named to first-team defense.

Quarterback Quinn Schulte was the lone Saint named to first-team offense, but Xavier was well-represented defensively. McClain Burger, Jack Lemke, Beau Van Berkum and Jacob Hines were first-team defensive picks. Schulte had 1,563 total yards, including 919 through the air before the 3A state quarterfinals. He has thrown for 12 TDs and rushed for 14 more. Burger leads Xavier with 38 tackles, including eight solo for loss and three sacks. Lemke has 37 total stops with four for loss and a sack on a defense that allows just 7.1 points per game. Ben Conrad was named Kicker of the Year.

Marion had three players on the first-team offense. University of Iowa commit Blair Brooks, running back Chris Mohwinkle and QB Trevor Paulsen, who threw for 1,448 yards and 19 TDs. Brooks accounted for 592 of those yards and nine TDs in 42 receptions. The Indians' leading tackler, Alex Whalen, was first-team on defense, recording 93 total tackles.

Kennedy quarterback B.J. White and running back Mike Watkins were selected for the first-team offense honors. Sophomore linebacker Cade Parker and Brock Hromidko were first-team defense selections. Parker was second in 4A with 104 tackles at the end of the regular season. he also had five tackles for loss and two sacks.

Cedar Rapids Washington's Haven Henningsen and Andrew Todd made first-team offense, while Ty Johnson was first-team defense.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Kyler Bell was named to the first-team offense. J-Hawk defensive lineman Keenan Stewart also received first-team honors.

Linn-Mar's Isaiah Garman was picked for first-team defense.

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