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Iowa high school football 2024: The Gazette’s Fab 5 area Class 3A players to watch
Williamsburg’s Rayce Heitman, Solon’s Grant Wilson, Mount Vernon’s Ethan Wood, Independence’s Tate Wood and West Delaware’s Brent Yonkovic are on our preseason watch list
Aug. 27, 2024 7:30 pm
The Gazette’s “Fab 5” area Class 3A players to watch during the 2024 Iowa high school football season.
Rayce Heitman
School: Williamsburg
Grade: Senior
Positions: WR/FB/S
Height/weight: 6-2, 182 pounds
About the player: Heitman was an all-state performer for last year’s Class 3A state champion. The electric talent was second in 3A with 118.5 tackles, leading the state with 107 solos, and tied for fourth with 21.5 tackles for loss. Tied for sixth with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He led 3A with a 19.9 punt return average and tied for the lead with two TDs. Heitman had 1,554 all-purpose yards, including 506 and 10 TDs.
Grant Wilson
School: Solon
Grade: Senior
Positions: OL/DL
Height/weight: 5-10, 245
About the player: Wilson was an all-state lineman and returns as the Spartans’ lauded blocker. He has anchored the line since his sophomore season. Wilson is back leading the way for an offense that reached the 3A state semifinals, averaging 300 yards and 30.24 points per game.
Ethan Wood
School: Mount Vernon
Grade: Senior
Positions: DL/TE
Height/weight: 6-5, 235
About the player: Wood was a first-team all-state defensive lineman. He harassed opponents, recording 17 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. The North Dakota State commit finished with 36 total tackles. Wood showed his athleticism, hauling in 24 passes for 347 yards and three TDs. He also rushed for a score.
Tate Wood
School: Independence
Grade: Senior
Positions: LB/OL
Height/weight: 5-11, 205
About the player: Wood was an all-state linebacker. He led the entire state with 132.5 total tackles and was second with 100 solo stops. Wood added 12 tackles for loss and a sack, hunting the ball for the Mustangs. Wood led Independence with two fumble recoveries and had an interception.
Brent Yonkovic
School: West Delaware
Grade: Senior
Positions: QB/LB
Height/weight: 5-11, 198
About the player: Yonkovic was a dual-threat all-stater at the center of the Hawks offense. He finished second in 3A with 3,004 offensive yards, rushing for 1,559 yards and throwing for 1,445. Yonkovic accounted for 37 TDs, including 25 rushing. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry and 14.7 per completion.
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
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