Herrmann emerges as standout receiver for Mount Vernon

CEDAR RAPIDS - You just assumed Connor Herrmann would play college basketball somewhere. The Mount Vernon senior has been a varsity starter since he was a freshman, an all-conference type with a solid all-around game.

But you notice his profile on the recruiting website Hudl, and it has video highlights of him playing two sports: basketball, naturally, as well as football. There's a reason for that.

'I think he's got great potential,” Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pedersen said. 'For me, he's the best wide receiver in the state.”

Whoa, that's some heavy stuff. But Pedersen believes that much in his 6-foot-4, 200-pound two-way starter and his football future.

So much that he recently placed a call to the University of Iowa about him.

'I called (assistant coach) Reese Morgan and told him ‘I don't recommend too many to you, but this kid is that good. He is definitely one to watch.”

'Yeah, football is a possibility for me if I get an opportunity to play somewhere,” Herrmann said. 'I'd say I have good size, good hands, and I'd like to think I run pretty good routes.”

Pedersen said he loves Herrmann's size and pass-catching ability. He also called him one tough cookie, which you'd figure from a guy who also starts at linebacker.

Herrmann has 80-plus catches, which leads the state. He'll likely need to add to that total significantly if Mount Vernon (10-2) wants to hang with and beat top-ranked Albia (12-0) in their 2A playoff semifinal Saturday night at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:06.

'I did have high expectations for myself coming into the season,” Herrmann said. 'But leading the state in catches, I didn't expect that. It's a great offense that we run, we've got a great sophomore quarterback ... and our offensive line has gotten better.”

'He's the best I've played with, by far,” said Mount Vernon quarterback Drew Adams. 'He's just an animal. He's the hardest worker I've seen. He's got the ability (to play college football). He's got some options, and I know he's going to make the best choice for himself.”

Mount Vernon lost its second game of the season to rival Solon, but has just seemed to improve each and every week under second-year coach Pedersen. It lost a district toughie to Anamosa, 45-42, but avenged that and then some in the quarterfinals, 33-20.

'We felt going in that we had a pretty good football team,” Pedersen said. 'First of all, I was fortunate enough to put together a great coaching staff that knows the game well and cares about the kids. And these kids, this group of guys cares about one another. We are a football team, and a team beats individuals. We are a football family, and it's been a lot of fun to see these kids improve from week to week.”

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SATURDAY'S GAMES

Class 1A Semifinals

Iowa City Regina (11-1) vs. Dike-New Hartford (11-1)

Kickoff: 10:06 a.m.

Scouting Report: The top-ranked Regals outlasted West Branch, 35-28, in last week's quarterfinal to keep the dream of a six-peat very much alive. Regina adapted well to the absence of standout receiver-defensive back Nick Phillips, out for the rest of the season with an injury. Regina's only loss was to 3A Cedar Rapids Xavier, 38-35. Dike-New Hartford won its first eight games, only to lose to Jesup in the regular-season finale, 35-33.

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Class 2A Semifinals

North Fayette Valley (10-2) vs. Spirit Lake (12-0)

Kickoff: 4:06 p.m.

Scouting Report: It hasn't been easy at times for the defending champion TigerHawks. NFV lost regular-season games to Independence (36-15) and Dyersville Beckman (14-6), but here they are back in the semifinals after a 24-20 quarterfinal win over Waukon. Look for mammoth two-way lineman Juan Harris, a 6-foot-3, 395-pounder who has committed to the University of Iowa. Spirit Lake has outscored its opponents by an average of 31 points per game.

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Class 2A Semifinals

Mount Vernon (10-2) vs. Albia (12-0)

Kickoff: 7:06 p.m.

Scouting Report: The top-ranked Demons are a prohibitive favorite here. They have steamrolled opponents this season, averaging 48 points per game. They had their toughest game in the quarterfinals, outlasting second-ranked South Tama, 17-6. Albia is a ground-dominated team. Mount Vernon lost in the regular season to Solon and Anamosa but avenged that latter loss in the quarterfinals, 33-20. The Mustangs have a more balanced offensive attack, led by running back Jack Cochrane, quarterback Drew Adams and receivers Connor Herrmann and Tommy Hook. l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com