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All-around star Preston Ries set to record more big numbers in senior season at Monticello
But 7th-ranked Panthers are far from a 1-man team
MONTICELLO — The parallels are there.
Monticello's Preston Ries has been compared to current University of Iowa standout Cooper DeJean when it comes to overall athletic prowess.
DeJean had a storied high school career, quarterbacking Ida Grove OABCIG to a state football title, along with a state track and field title in the spring of his senior year in 2020-21. DeJean also averaged more than 25 points a game for a 21-2 basketball team.
As Ries gets set to start his senior year at Monticello, his numbers almost match DeJean's.
Ries completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 2,543 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions as a junior. He also rushed for 1,421 yards and 17 TDs. On defense, he had 65 tackles, including 21 for loss, and 11 sacks from his linebacker position.
On the basketball court, he averaged 23.1 points and 10.2 rebounds for a 17-7 team that made the Class 2A state tournament. On the track, he had a 21-foot long jump.
And, like DeJean, Ries has committed to play collegiately for the Hawkeyes. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he is projected to be a linebacker in college.
“Preston is a tremendous athlete and what he has accomplished so far in high school speaks for itself,” said Monticello Coach Wes Wilson. “You can definitely see the similarities between Preston and Cooper DeJean with their football accolades and their basketball highlights. They are both versatile players and play at a high level.”
Before he heads off to Iowa City, there is one more year of prep competition for Ries to complete. The Panthers finished 7-3 last season, dropping a heartbreaking, 28-27, decision to Centerville in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The ironman aspect of Ries’ football career at Monticello is well-documented. He rarely leaves the field, averaging nearly 39 yards a kick as a punter. Even with all of that, Wilson and his staff continue to look for new ways for Ries to make an impact.
“We are always looking for creative ways to utilize Preston on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We know teams will game plan for him and with the quality of teams we see we have to use him in different ways for us to be effective.”
Even though Ries’ abilities draw much of the attention, the seventh-ranked Panthers are far from a one-man team. Thirteen other letterwinners, including nine starters, also return. Top receiver Tate Petersen and his 89 catches have been lost to graduation, but Peyton Schilling, who had 27 catches for 535 yards and seven TDs, is back for his senior season. Fellow seniors Easton Prull and Ty Tallman also saw significant playing time last season.
Senior Connor Jordan is the top returning rusher after Ries. He ran for 143 yards and two scores on 18 carries.
Wilson has five returning veterans in the offensive line, headed up by all-stater Dylan Monk.
“We are excited about the group we have coming back this year,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of experience returning on both sides of the ball. We return four starters from the offensive line and add in AJ Phelps who was a starter in 2021 but missed last season with an ACL injury. Also having three receivers and an experienced running back will give Preston some good options.”
The heartbreaking home playoff loss to Centerville at Dean Nelson Field to close the season has the Panthers hungry to avoid a repeat. Monticello built a 21-0 lead only to see the visitors rally for the win. A missed Monticello extra point in the final three minutes of the game determined the final margin.
“That was definitely a tough loss, especially losing it at the end,” Wilson said. “Our guys have definitely used that game as motivation this offseason to prepare for this year.”
The Panthers open the season Friday night on the road against a talented Mount Vernon team.
“Coach (Lance) Pedersen is a great coach and Mount Vernon has a great program coming off a state finals appearance,” Wilson said. “Our district looks to be very even again this year. Northeast brings back some talented kids and Camanche, West Liberty and Anamosa are always tough games.”
A closer look at Monticello
Coach: Wes Wilson (8th year, 88-36 career record)
Last year: 7-3 (5-0 in Class 2A, District 5)
Returning starters: Preston Ries QB-LB-P, Conner Jordan, RB-S, Peyton Schilling WR-DB, Easton Prull WR-LB, Ty Tallman WR-S, Adrtian Graves OL-DL, Zach Yates OL-DL, AJ Phelps, OL-LB, Dylan Monk, OL-DL, Ethan Ponder OL-DL
3 keys to success: Developing experience and depth in both lines; another big season from Iowa commit Preston Ries; having others step up to take some of the load off Ries
Big game: Friday at defending Class 3A state runner-up Mount Vernon.
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