Beyer plays key role in Kennedy’s success

CEDAR RAPIDS — Shaun Beyer has been trusted to do a little bit of everything for Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

He hauls in passes, runs the ball, takes snaps under center, leads the Cougars in sacks and does some kicking. About the only thing the senior standout hasn't done is the team's laundry. If Kennedy improves to 10-0, head coach Brian White might ask Beyer to do that, too.

Beyer has been a key component to the Cougars' success this season, helping lead them to an unbeaten regular season. Third-ranked Kennedy has its sights set on the a deep postseason run, opening the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs against Clinton Wednesday at Kingston Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

Beyer has filled a variety of roles as coaches attempted to use his athleticism. He is technically a tight end, but his versatility has allowed him to line up at tailback, quarterback, other receiver positions and assume punting duties.

'Shaun Beyer is a competitor,' White said. 'He wants to do whatever he needs to do to help our team win. If that means he runs tailback or quarterback a little bit, so be it. He wants to do whatever it takes to help our team win.'

The Cougars' 39-13 win over Waterloo West last week was indicative of Beyer's impact. He rushed for 160 yards on five carries, including an 86-yard TD, and had 25 receiving yards. He also tied for a team-high seven tackles, notching two sacks.

The transition began at the start of last season. Beyer was a sophomore quarterback before moving to tight end to help Kennedy throw the ball downfield. Beyer finished with 471 receiving yards on 35 catches and eight touchdowns, earning second-team all-state honors from the Iowa Newspaper Association. Beyer embraced a bigger role this year.

'I met with Coach White in the preseason and he told me that he was going to try to get me the ball as much as possible, whether he was going to put me in the backfield, tight end or split out,' said Beyer, who has committed to play for FCS power North Dakota State University. 'I was happy to hear that. I'll take on any challenge there is and try as hard as I can.'

At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, he causes a matchup nightmare for just about anyone. Beyer recognized his potential with a surprising growth spurt while living with his family for a year in Germany between junior high and freshman school year. He sprouted seven inches, returning as a gangly 6-3, 145-pound teenager. He hit the weights to fill out his frame.

'The freshman coaches said if you get in the weight room and develop as an athlete, because I was a string bean,' said Beyer, who is a state medalist in the high jump who can clear 6-8. 'They got me in the weight room and said you can be whatever you want to be, if you put work into it, and that is what I've done.'

White said many teams place a defender on him with a supporting zone defense, resembling basketball's box-and-1 approach to limit an opponent's top player. Kennedy coaches have had to innovate ways to get him touches. They've succeeded. Beyer has 467 receiving yards on 20 receptions with six TDs and 415 rushing yards on 24 carries with four scores. He has completed 3 of 4 passes for 36 yards and converted a couple fake punts, while averaging 42.5 yards on 20 punts.

'It's such a fantastic weapon, having a kid that tall that can jump,' White said. 'He wants to get the ball out of the air. He wants to fight for it (and) win.'

He also has the flair for circus catches, making a leaping grab against Cedar Rapids Jefferson to set up a touchdown. In a big win over 2014 state runner-up Cedar Rapids Washington, Beyer caught a key fourth-down pass and added a touchdown run on the game-winning drive.

'He always makes those big plays,' White said. 'We tell Nick. Just throw it up. Shaun is going to go get it. You tell Shaun Nick is going to throw it up, go get the ball. He will go up and get it.'

Beyer continues to gain interest from FBS programs. He said he hasn't changed his pledge to NDSU.

'They are my No. 1 school right now,' Beyer said. 'They are my best offer and that's why I committed to them.'

White praised Beyer for being as good of a person off the field as he is a player on it. He said Beyer is 'goofy' and likes to joke, bumping his coach into a wall when passing in the halls during school. White said Beyer has a refreshing attitude, laughing or grinning during games.

'He enjoys the game,' White said. 'He enjoys life and that is the way it should be. He's not so caught up in everything that he can't appreciate the moment.'

He flips the switch for competition and practice.

'I'd like to think of myself as a happy kid,' Beyer said. 'I love coming here. We have great people here. I have a lot of fun here. It's great.

'You have to have fun but when you come out on the field you have to lock it down and get to business.'

The Cougars have handed out their share of playoff upsets over the years. They were 2-7 last year when they beat a 7-2 Muscatine team. Kennedy doesn't plan to overlook Clinton (5-4) in the first game of a doubleheader.

'People are going to be gunning for you,' White said. 'We want to make sure we're prepared but keep things in perspective.'

Fourth-ranked Washington (8-1) and Cedar Falls (6-3) will play the nightcap at Kingston.

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