Iowa high school football 2024: The Gazette’s Fab 5 area Class A players to watch

The Gazette’s “Fab 5” area Class A players to watch during the 2024 Iowa high school football season.

Nathan Beitz

School: Maquoketa Valley

Grade: Senior

Positions: OL/DL

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 225 pounds

About the player: Beitz is an all-district performer in the trenches. He was second on the team last year with 63 total tackles, including 50 solo. Beitz harassed opponents with 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He used smarts, toughness and athleticism as a blocker to help the Wildcats amass 3,558 yards.

Gage Holub

School: Lisbon

Grade: Senior

Positions: K/P/WR/LB

Height/weight: 6-2, 170

About the player: Holub was a first-team all-state kicker. He led Class A with 19 touchbacks, almost double the next highest in class. Holub made 2 of 3 field goals with a long of 37 and connected on 40 extra points. He averaged 37.2 yards per punt as well as contributing on offense and defense.

Kyle Kuboushek

School: South Winneshiek

Grade: Junior

Positions: RB/LB

Height/weight: 5-10, 175

About the player: Kuboushek is a two-way contributor for the Warriors. He is the area’s top returning rusher in Class A with 821 yards last season. Kuboushek had 197 carries and scored five TDs. He was an all-district linebacker, compiling 57 total tackles, 36 solo and 12.5 tackles for loss.

Drew Ries

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School: North Linn

Grade: Senior

Positions: RB/LB

Height/weight: 5-10, 175

About the player: Ries garnered first-team all-district honors as a junior linebacker. He demonstrated a nose for the football, tying for fifth in Class A with 87 total tackles and 19 tackles for loss. Ries added two sacks. He will have a bigger offensive role, sharing carries with sophomore Landon Mertens.

Avery Vaske

School: Starmont

Grade: Senior

Positions: RB/LB

Height/weight: 5-11, 180

About the player: Vaske was named second-team all-state at linebacker. He ranked 12th with 77 total tackles, adding 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. Vaske also played part in the Stars’ backfield. He produced more than 210 offensive yards and five TDs, helping Starmont to an 8-2 record.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com