Iowa City Liberty’s Reece Rettig is Class 5A football player of the year according to IFCA

CEDAR RAPIDS - He led Iowa City Liberty to unprecedented heights in his two season as its starting football quarterback. Now he is getting his deserved flowers.

Reece Rettig has been selected the Class 5A Player of the Year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association. The IFCA has released its 2025 all-state teams.

Rettig completed 239 of 335 passes (71.3 percent) this season for 2,465 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 908 yards and 14 TDs.

Those numbers led 5A in total offense and touchdowns. Liberty made it to last week’s state championship game, falling to West Des Moines Dowling, after making it to the semifinals last season.

Other Players of the Year are Caleb Klein of Newton (4A), Austin Waldera of Nevada (3A), Brock Badding of Carroll Kuemper (2A), Judd Jirovsky of Grundy Center (1A), Korben Michels of Saint Ansgar (A) and Tate Foertsch of Algona Garrigan (Eight-Player).

Class 5A first-team players included Iowa City West wide receiver Ethan Headings and offensive lineman Colin Whitters. On the defensive side of the ball, West linebacker Julian Manson, Liberty linebacker Landon Bell and defensive back Logan Laubenthal and Cedar Rapids Prairie lineman David Fason are first-teamers.

Cedar Rapids Xavier was the Class 4A state champion and has first-team all-state guys in quarterback Cash Parks, running back Carter Hoffmann, wide receiver Ryan Kelly, offensive lineman Andrew Pladsen, linebacker Beau Morio and defensive back Michael Bean. Joining them on the 4A first team are Decorah tight end/fullback Noah Milburn, Cedar Rapids Washington punter Logan Barton, Clear Creek Amana’s Conlan Poynton (offensive utility) and Decorah’s Trevor Kuennen (defensive utility).

First-team offensive players in 3A are Solon quarterback Eli Kampman and wide receiver Maddox Kelley and Mount Vernon quarterback Kellen Haverback (offensive utility). Defensively, Mount Vernon linebacker Jaxon Anderson, Solon lineman Lucas Feuerbach, Benton Community back Carson Nolan, Mount Vernon back Michael Ryan and Solon punter Collin McKie are first-teamers.

In Class 2A, first-team players include running backs Laken Caves (Alburnett) and Hudson Ehrenfeldt (Mid-Prairie), offensive lineman Layne Kleppe (North Fayette Valley), linebacker Kaden Kos (Mid-Prairie) and returner Gabe McCormick (Waukon).

Iowa City Regina has 1A first-team players in quarterback Kyle Tracy, running back Savion Miller, tight end/fullback Tate Wallace, offensive linemen Noah Horner and Porter Shetler, kicker Gabriel Hegelheimer, linebacker Luke Hamilton, defensive lineman Will Litton and defensive back Andrew Greve. That’s nine guys.

Sigourney-Keota offensive lineman Owen Menke also is on the 1A first team.

In Class A, first-team players include BGM quarterback Beau Burns (offensive utility), Maquoketa Valley linebacker Dylan Knipper and North Linn’s Braden Wheatley (returner). The Eight-Player first team includes Iowa Valley quarterback Nolan Kriegel, West Central punter Drake Puls and Iowa Valley’s Chance Hoyt (defensive utility).

Below are all of the IFCA all-state teams.

---------------

CLASS 5A

First Team Offense

QB — Mack Heitland, Waukee Northwest; RB — Ian Middleton, WDM Dowling; Daniel Larmie, Ankeny; JJ Morgan, Ankeny Centennial; WR — Jeffrey Roberts, WDM Dowling; Jordon Green, Waukee Northwest; Ethan Headings, Iowa City West; TE/FB — Luke Brewer, Norwalk; OL — Colin Whitters, Iowa City West; Carter Barrett, WDM Dowling; Carson Nielsen, Waterloo West; Andrew Hine, Waukee; Dalton DeBoer, Waukee Northwest; Noah White, Southeast Polk; K — Ryan Kuhn, WDM Dowling; Utility — Cal Jepsen, Sioux City East; Beckett Bakker, Waukee.

First Team Defense

DL — David Fason, C.R. Prairie; Ryan Bobo, WDM Dowling; Alonzo Jimenez, WDM Valley; Joel Thompson, Southeast Polk; LB — Carlos Blount Jr., WDM Dowling; Julian Manson, Iowa City West; Gavin Stecker, Bettendorf; Landon Bell, Iowa City Liberty; DB — Jayden McGregory, WDM Valley; Chris Ford, Sioux City East; La’Marious Clark, Ankeny; Logan Laubenthal, Iowa City Liberty; P — Austin McIntire, Ankeny Centennial; Utility — Max Mincks, Johnston; Kason Clayborne, Sioux City East.

Player of the Year— Reece Rettig, Iowa City Liberty

Second Team Offense

QB — Drake DeGroote, WDM Valley; RB — Stanley Cooper, Southeast Polk; Jaden Montgomery, Dubuque Hempstead; Blake Dorenkamp, WDM Valley; WR — Isaiah Oliver, Waukee Northwest; Eli Robbins, Norwalk; Sam Drexler, WDM Dowling; TE/FB — Teague Cantrall, Southeast Polk; OL — Braylin Dieken-Keahey, Ankeny Centennial; Colton McClish, Johnston; Cohen Vannausdle, Johnston; Ari Raridon, WDM Valley; Hayden Bishop, Cedar Falls; Jaryn Sertterh, Iowa City Liberty; K — Ricky Solis Downing, Johnston; Conley Harne, WDM Valley; Cam Scupham, Bettendorf; Utility — Jayden Brown, WDM Valley; Pryor Reiners, Iowa City Liberty.

Second Team Defense

DL — Melakhi Hickey, Waterloo West; Colin Pittenger, Sioux City East; Jaden Ubben, Cedar Falls; Peyton Wilbur, Indianola; LB — Dawson Whitinger, Ankeny; Connor Stolpe, Dallas Center-Grimes; Jacob Breyfogle, Sioux City East; Hayden Demaray, WDM Valley; DB — Blake Ludwig, Waukee; Brayden Lewis, Southeast Polk; Jordan Watson, WDM Dowling; Brady Peterka, C.R. Prairie; P — Jordan Schroeder, Iowa City LIberty; Returner — William Remmert, Cedar Falls; Utility — Miciah LeLaCheur, WDM Valley; Wyatt Valenta, Dallas Center-Grimes.

  Buy Photo

CLASS 4A

First Team Offense

QB — Cash Parks, C.R. Xavier; RB — Emmanuel Diers, Pella; Carter Hoffman, C.R. Xavier; Braydan Doss, Lewis Central; WR — Finn Martin, Newton; Ryan Kelly, C.R. Xavier; Bryce Burke, North Polk; TE/FB — Noah Milburn, Decorah; OL — Andrew Pladsen, C.R. Xavier; Hunter Infanger, Lewis Central; Chase Miller, North Polk; Kolt Ahn, Newton; Alex Brodersen, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Behren Radech, North Scott; Mason Griffin, Gilbert; K — Jimmy Scott, Lewis Central; Utility — Hudson Shull, ADM; Conlan Poynton, Clear Creek Amana.

First Team Defense

DL — Dreshaun Ross, Fort Dodge; Micah Sands, North Polk; Payton Brenner, North Scott; Caleb Oberhoffer, ADM; Kyler McNeal, Lewis Central; LB — Beau Morio, C.R. Xavier; Nick Milburn, Newton; Kyler Van Maanen, Pella; Joe Hardy, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; DB — Gavin Warren, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Peyton Phipps, Lewis Central; Michael Bean, C.R. Xavier; Rex Rhamy, Pella; P — Logan Barton, C.R. Washington; Chase Jasper, Davenport West; Returner — Drew Hobart, Mason City; Utility — Isaiah Jervik, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Drake Buthe, Glenwood; Trevor Kuennen, Decorah.

Player of the Year— Caden Klein, Newton

Second Team Offense

QB — Jami Sitzmann, Lemars; Tanner Caddell, Decorah; RB — Scott Reed, Glenwood; Beckett Verros, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Isaiah Hansen, Newton; WR — Tycen Augustine, Lemars; David Joiner, Davenport North; Kaden Crouch, Glenwood; TE/FB — Qhjuan Coley, Newton; OL — Travis Jasper, C.R. Xavier; Avery Jacobson, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Matt Langner Waverly-Shell Rock; Palmer Hemming, Pella; Kyle Grooters, Gilbert; Cael Standford, ADM; Benjamin Griffith, Pella; K — Aaron Christian, Glenwood; Utility — Josh Ringler, Grinnell; Cameron Cantonwine, Gilbert.

Second Team Defense

DL — Nolan Wilgenbusch, C.R. Xavier; Ian Sedgwick, Waverly-Shell Rock; Ethan Kuennen, Decorah; Easton VanCleave, Gilbert; Mason Koehler, Glenwood; LB — Nate Warner, Pella; Jesse Egli, Fort Dodge; Tommy Sexton, Decorah; Xavier Jones, Sergeant Bluff-Luton; DB — Carson Mahoney, C.R. Xavier; Sam Moser, Fort Dodge; Dawson Maki, Newton; Jackson Pitzen, ADM; P — Wyatt Key, Clear Creek Amana; Returner — Ryan Block, North Scott; Utility — Aidan Schrock Clear Creek Amana; Landon Golinhorst, North Scott; Jayon Preston Grady, Fort Dodge.

  Buy Photo

CLASS 3A

First Team Offense

QB — Eli Kampman, Solon; RB — Kasen Thomas, Sioux City Heelan; Dylan Maasdam, MOC-Floyd Valley; Adam Malik, Carroll; WR — Chase Flaherty, Humboldt; Jameson Gregoire, DeWitt Central; Maddox Kelley, Solon; TE/FB — John Nelson, Nevada; OL — Jack Guy, Humboldt; Max Aesoph, Sioux City Heelan; Cole Nohrenberg, Webster City; Gavin Holt, Carroll; Isaac Harrington, Nevada; Jaycee Rangel-Bello, Nevada; K — Gavin Egeland, Nevada; Utility — Kellen Haverback, Mount Vernon; Jaxson McIntire, Clear Lake.

First Team Defense

DL — Max Larson, Clear Lake; John Berning, Dubuque Wahlert; Cedar Smith, Nevada; Lucas Feuerbach, Solon; LB — Cael Donahe, Humboldt; Noah Krapfl, Dubuque Wahlert; Jaxon Anderson, Mount Vernon; Kyler Jensen, Solon; DB — Carson Nolan, Benton Community; Isaac Brownlee, Clear Lake; Jace Bellamy, Winterset; Michael Ryan, Mount Vernon; P — Collin McKie, Solon; Returner — Wyatt Swanson, Winterset; JJ Hope, Sioux City Heelan; Utility — Kolby Hodnefield, Clear Lake; Lucas Brown, Nevada.

Player of the Year— Austin Waldera, Nevada

Second Team Offense

QB — Hudson Krukow, DeWitt Central; RB — Sam Dodge, Clear Lake; Ethan McNeal, Atlantic; Jack Cantwell, West Delaware; WR — Tate Garman, Algona; Brady Meadows, DeWitt Central; Kade Hoeper, Solon; TE/FB — Gavin McLaren, Atlantic; OL — Coy Krukow, DeWitt Central; Blaine Rees, Washington; Bradyn Schnoor, Solon; Donovan Hedrington, Atlantic; Leo Kirkland, Winterset; Ben Armstrong, Davenport Assumption; K — Ryan Locke, Solon; Utility — JP Elbert, Dubuque Wahlert Drake Hinson, Nevada.

Second Team Defense

DL — James Thomsen, Solon; Carson Grier, Williamsburg; Broedy Hendricks, Humboldt; Ryan Paulsen, DeWitt Central; Caleb Bailey, Des Moines Christian; LB — Cody Sandbulte, Sioux Center; Grant Volesky, Benton Community; Quinten Polking, Carroll; Dylan Weisskopf, Williamsburg; DB — Grant Whitcomb, Sioux City Heelan; Christopher Meyer, Independence; Anderson Herbst, Dubuque Wahlert; Ethan Ulch, Solon; P — Zander Killion, Atlantic; Returner — Jaxon Griffith, Webster City; Utility — Brody Schumacher, Dubuque Wahlert; Raif Baack, Clear Lake.

  Buy Photo

CLASS 2A

First Team Offense

QB — Jaxon Paulsrud, Cherokee; RB — Jarin Hoffman, Carroll Kuemper; Laken Caves, Alburnett; Hudson Ehrenfeldt, Mid-Prairie; WR — Keenan Kilburg, Bellevue; Luke Thoreson, Roland-Story; Griffin Glynn, Carroll Kuemper; TE/FB — Brayden Hoben, Grand View Christian; OL — Mason Campbell, Cherokee; Nate Brenneman, BHRV; Reid Steger, Carroll Kuemper; Hayden Shannon, PCM; Calan Peters, Okoboji; Layne Kleppe, North Fayette Valley; K — Henry Lounsbury, Van Meter; Utility — Jaxx DeJean, OABCIG; Quinn Street, Osage.

First Team Defense

DL — Gatlin Rogers, Wilton; Keaton Mennen, Van Meter; Lucas Diehl, Carroll Kuemper; Cody Koepke, Denver; LB — Kaden Kos, Mid-Prairie; Christian Williams, Van Meter; Tate Doggett, Van Meter; Brayton Alford, Carroll Kuemper; DB — Gabe Brisker, Wilton; Cody Long, Roland-Story; Austin Wieringa, Unity Christian; Brecken Ritzert, Pella Christian; P — Jeptha Raymond, CLGLR; Returner — Gabe McCormick, Waukon; Utility — Jack Badding, Carroll Kuemper; Brock Trees, Osage.

Player of the Year— Brock Badding, Carroll Kuemper

Second Team Offense

QB — Brooks Weber, Mid-Prairie; RB — Blake Lovell, Cherokee; Devlin Davis, Dike-New Hartford; Keaton Gates, West Branch; WR — Braxton Vonnahme, Carroll Kuemper; Bryar Putman, Wilton; Sevryn Dodd, Osage; TE/FB — Brayden Fennessey, Van Meter; OL — Michael Montgomery, West Branch; Preston Vonnahme, Carroll Kuemper; Francisco Honts, Wilton; Alex Machin, Osage; Tommy Miller, Mid-Prairie; Jordan Butt, Clarinda; K — Keegan Reuter, Spirit Lake; Utility — Cal Bonifas, Bellevue; Brady Harr, Hampton-Dumont-CAL.

Second Team Defense

DL — Keegan Fenton, PCM; Zach Drenth, CLGLR; Ayden Antonelli, Anamosa; Kane Mahler-Moreno, Woodward-Granger; Kyler Crow, Mediapolis; LB — Mallon Malausky, Cherokee; Jerron Heller, Okoboji; Cade Spotts, OABCIG; Jacob Langley, Tipton; DB — Lake Rezac, ELC; Daniel McCloud, Grand View Christian; Dyan Schon, Carroll Kuemper; Griffin Seydel, West Branch; P — Alex Loden, Crestwood; Returner — Gavin Steenhoek, PCM; Utility — Jacoby Johnson, Vinton-Shellsburg; Hayden Hill, Wilton.

  Buy Photo

CLASS 1A

First Team Offense

QB — Kyle Tracy, Iowa City Regina; RB — Evan Hildring, West Lyon; Jett Sornson, Treynor; Savion Miller, Iowa City Regina; WR — Sam Benson, South Hardin; Zach Nelson, Tri-Center; Kinnick Geers, West Marshall; TE/FB — Tate Wallace, Iowa City Regina; OL — Bryce Kock, West Lyon; Noah Horner, Iowa City Regina; Sawyer Kane, South Hardin; Ryder Slifer, Grundy Center; Porter Shetler, Iowa City Regina; Owen Menke, Sigourney-Keota; Carter Metzger, West Lyon; K — Gabriel Hegelheimer, Iowa City Regina; Utility — Braylon Bingham, Pleasantville; Garrett Luett, Underwood.

First Team Defense

DL — Ben Meyer, West Lyon; Jack Carolan, West Lyon; Manning Pfantz, South Hardin; Will Litton, Iowa City Regina; LB — Daxtyn Metzger, West Lyon; Luke Hamilton, Iowa City Regina; Huxley Lingenfelter, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows; Pete Lebo, Grundy Center; DB — Anderson Yoder, Hudson; Casey Williamson, South Hardin; Eli Wegmann, Grundy Center; Andrew Greve, Iowa City Regina; P — Peyton Welch, South Hardin; Returner — River Kramer, West Lyon; Utility — Cooper Schoening, West Lyon; Jude Mieska, Treynor.

Player of the Year— Judd Jirovsky, Grundy Center

Second Team Offense

QB — Easton DeYoung, West Lyon; RB — Kam Adams, South Hardin; Joel Meier, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows; Coy Moline, Manson NW Webster; WR — Colby Gast, Durant; Logan Kempema, Hinton; Kyle Sub, Underwood; TE/FB — Cole Wagner, Lawton-Bronson; OL — Micah Van Beek, West Lyon; Luke Steward, West Marshall; Gavin Trask, Sumner-Fredricksburg; Carter Ruth, Grundy Center; Maverrick Kalb, Treynor; Preston Dolash, South Hardin; K — Aiden Betts, Grundy Center; Utility — Cole Friessen, Hinton; Ethan Hill, Treynor.

Second Team Defense

DL — Dane Guttau, Treynor; David Foote, Underwood; Beckham DeSotel, West Marshall; Ryan Wirtz, Emmetsburg; LB — Lane Mitchell, Lawton-Bronson; Aiden Hook, Grundy Center; Lucas Perry, South Hardin; James Whisler, Iowa City Regina; DB — Jordan Meyer, West Lyon; Jake Balvanz, South Hardin; Braydin Crum, Central Springs; Jared Ciesielski, West Lyon; P — Chase Clarahan, Sigourney-Keota; Returner — Aiden Youngblut, Jesup; Utility — Zane Mullenix, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont; Blake Myrtue, Ridge View.

  Buy Photo

CLASS A

First Team Offense

QB — Blake Wiggins, West Sioux; RB — Hunter Curley, Wapsie Valley; Joe Crawford, ACGC; Jaxon Gordon, Riverside; WR — Michael Schmillen, MMCRU; Jayden Lloyd, Woodbury Central; Jack Bowlin, Lynnville-Sully; TE/FB — Carson Edney, Logan-Magnolia; OL — Luke Riordan, Wapsie Valley; Brayden Dunn, MMCRU; Jack Sheeder, ACGC; Adyn Bissen, St. Ansgar; Dane Lehman, Lemars Gehlen; Braden Halvorson, St. Ansgar; K — Jonathon Flores Topete, West Sioux; Utility — Braylon Lopez, West Sioux; Beau Burns, BGM; Eli Harpenau, MMCRU.

First Team Defense

DL — Brody Bremer, Woodbury Central; Carter Richter, ACGC; Terrin Lawrenson, Madrid; Derek Hemann, St. Ansgar; LB — John Schmillen, MMCRU; Joe Clevenger, St. Ansgar; Dylan Knipper, Maquoketa Valley; Dawson James, Lynnville-Sully; DB — Wyatt Alesch, MMCRU; Connor Mullenbach, St. Ansgar; Jackson Ruggles, Mt. Ayr; Ben Ramsey, IKM-Manning; P — Cooper Hamilton, Council Bluffs St. Albert; Returner — Braden Wheatley, North Linn; Utility — Gage Johnson, MMCRU; Teague Smith, West Hancock.

Player of the Year— Korben Michels, St. Ansgar

Second Team Offense

QB — Brody Heifner, Belmond-Klemme; RB — Kyle Irwin, Council Bluffs St. Albert; Gustavo Gomez, West Hancock; Brexton Schneider, ACGC; WR — Kamden Bork, MMCRU; Braden Dougherty, Belmond-Klemme; Dawson Kreykes, Sibley-Ocheyedan; TE/FB — Gavin Gerritson, West Sioux; OL — Ben Tentinger, MMCRU; Aiden Parmater, North Linn; Ben Squires, Lynnville-Sully; Wyatt Bell, Riverside; Brennan Tunink, ACGC; Holden Koele, Woodbury Central; K — Oliver Wetzel, ACGC; Utility — Tate Dugan, Mt. Ayr; Hunter Kaufman, Sibley-Ocheyedan.

Second Team Defense

DL — Gage Greenfield, Sibley-Ocheyedan; Jack Gericke, North Linn; Wyatt Stalzer, East Marshall; Carter Wright, Woodbury Central; LB — Cadyn Dana, Wapsie Valley; Gatlin Gettler, AHSTW; Xander Harwood, ACGC; Henry Adam, Pekin; Eli Mora, West Sioux; DB — Ashton Ahrenholtz, IKM-Manning; Brady Wall, Maquoketa Valley; Will Sommerfelt, North Linn; Cole Jeppersen, Riverside; P — Anthony Harrington, Midland; Returner — Landen Moulds, Wapsie Valley; Utility — Drew Lee, AHSTW; Trent Rodruck, Nashua-Plainfield.

  Buy Photo

CLASS EIGHT-PLAYER

First Team Offense

QB — Nolan Kriegel, Iowa Valley; RB — Treyvon Herron, Gladbrook-Reinbeck; Micah Moores, Woodbine; Wyatt Ragaller, Ar-We-Va; WR — Landon Blum, Woodbine; Callan Messerich, Easton Valley; TE/FB — Weston Rosenmeyer, Algona Bishop Garrigan; OL — Carter Schwab, Algona Bishop Garrigan; Jax Pryor, Woodbine; Sullivan McClain, Audubon; Gavin Blakesley, Gladbrook-Reinbeck; K — Kase Coleman, Bedford; Utility — Brody Pryor, Woodbine; Hudson Clark, Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

First Team Defense

DL — Kaiser Bovy, Don Bosco; Brody Weber, Audubon; Kael Blohm, Gladbrook-Reinbeck; Lucas Olsen, Woodbine; LB — Ethan Marso, Algona Bishop Garrigan; Ashton Nally, Bedford; Austin Christensen, Audubon; DB — Cal Pryor, Woodbine; Mike Joyce, Algona Bishop Garrigan; P — Drake Puls, West Central; Returner — Jorgen Nowatzke, Audubon; Utility — Chance Hoyt, Iowa Valley; Joe Freund, Woodbine.

Player of the Year— Tate Foertch, Algona Bishop Garrigan

Second Team Offense

QB — Keegan Lee, Easton Valley; RB — Jamison Ewing, SEW; Mason Kasperbauer, Audubon; Ty Christensen, Don Bosco; WR — Jaxson Schnell, GTRA; Eli Dee, Baxter; TE/FB — Logan Lashbrook, Janesville; OL — Tyler Wallace, HLP; Mason Hoyt, Iowa Valley; Nate Leerar, Algona Bishop Garrigan; Gage Swan, Wayne; K — Christian Anguiano, Springville; Brayden Utter, Gladbrook-Reinbeck; Util — Jax Steger, Edgewood-Colesburg; Teagan Hanson, GTRA.

Second Team Defense

DL — JD Kruse, Turkey Valley; Hayden Larsen, Audubon; Cael Dop, SEW; Conlin Rouse, Springville; LB — Levi Reineke, Boyer Valley; JW Linkenhoker, Freem,Freemont-Mills; Caleb Swedin, GTRA; DB — Brady Boulton, Montezuma; Aiden Kjergaard, Audubon; P — Ethan Klemesrud, GMG; Ret — Grant Galles, Fort Dodge St. Edmond; Util — Broox Stockman, Montezuma; Quentin Dalton, Bedford.

  Buy Photo

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com