Clear Creek Amana hungry for sustained winning with new coach, QB

A fresh season brings in many fresh faces for Clear Creek Amana.

But a bad taste still lingers from last season's 7-2 finish, a season that saw the Clippers just miss the Class 3A playoffs. Clear Creek Amana rattled off six straight wins to start the year, but finished 1-2 and were spectators in November.

CCA lost 24 seniors from that squad, and while the names may have changed, the Clippers are hoping to shed the 'rebuilding year' label.

New head coach Gabe Bakker is ready for the challenge.

'It's going to be a learning curve for our kids,' said Bakker, who coached Pleasantville to an 8-2 finish last year. 'But these kids are hungry and ready to prove people wrong.'

Transfer Ethan Postler will step in under center and lead the charge for the Clippers. The 6-foot-4 senior transferred in from Class 4A state-runner up Iowa City West. In limited time, Postler completed 24 passes, six for touchdowns.

'I only get one shot at it, one season,' Postler said. 'I'm going to do everything I can this season. I'm excited to get going with these guys.'

The only other Clipper who has taken a snap behind center is Dylan Sheely, who will now line up at receiver.

'Our big thing this year will be to finish,' Sheely said. 'The last few years, we've started strong and got tired. This year we want to finish every game, every practice, every rep. That way when we get to the playoffs, we're not tired, we're ready to go.'

Matt Brimeyer returns at running back and will figure to play a major role in an up-tempo offense. Brimeyer ran for 731 yards and six touchdowns last year.

'Obviously, I just need to become better at the things I'm doing out here,' Brimeyer said. 'Pushing myself farther than I did the day before.'

Last season, Brimeyer didn't figure into the passing game. With a new offensive philosophy, that likely will change.

'We're looking to go multiple formations and no-huddle,' Bakker said. 'We want to be simple, yet complex in the way we present it.'

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While a change of pace is coming to the offense, the defense will look for more of the same. In their seven wins, the Clippers allowed just 42 points. They allowed 48 points in their two losses.

'We are going to do more of what they've done here in the past,' Bakker said. 'They've been pretty successful in the past. Pretty basic, but fundamentally sound.'

Clear Creek Amana faces a tough three-week test beginning Week 6. The Clippers will travel to Manchester to tackle defending district champion West Delaware. They will then attempt to avenge their only losses last season at home against Marion in Week 7 and Davenport Assumption in Week 8.

'West Delaware is going to be pretty tough,' Bakker said. 'So will Marion and Assumption. But it's hard to tell. Really, I don't see a weak team in the district.'

CCA, at a glance

Coach: Gabe Bakker (1st year, 0-0; 29-20 overall)

Last year: 7-2 (missed playoffs)

Top returning letterwinners: RB/LB Matt Brimeyer, FB/DL Cade Gallagher, OT Dillon Wildman

Key losses: Jared Eckrich, Cody Siders, Drake Mougin

Key to making playoffs: The Clippers lost 24 seniors from last year's team. If the new crop can cut the learning curve, Clear Creek Amana will be in good shape.

Games to watch: A three-week stretch that starts at West Delaware on Sept. 29 and concludes with home games against Marion (Oct. 6) and Davenport Assumption (Oct. 13).

Schedule

Aug. 25 — Mount Pleasant

Sept. 1 — at Independence

Sept. 8 — at Dubuque Wahlert

Sept. 15 — Maquoketa

Sept. 22 — at Center Point-Urbana

Sept. 29 — at West Delaware

Oct. 6 — Marion

Oct. 13 — Davenport Assumption

Oct. 20 — at DeWitt Central