Repeat of 2014 performance not welcome at City High

IOWA CITY - Dan Sabers doesn't want to go through another season like last year.

The 15th-year Iowa City High coach hopes a new attitude and approach on defense and some returning firepower on offense can put the traditionally strong Little Hawks back into contention.

City finished 2-7 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and only the second time in the last 23 seasons.

'We used it as motivation the whole offseason,” quarterback Nate Wieland said. 'We haven't had a record that bad in a very long time. We don't want it to happen again.”

Sabers' emphasis this offseason has been on improving the defense. The Little Hawks allowed 32.7 points per game last fall, including a season-high 49 in the final game with a potential postseason bid on the line.

The coaching staff is still determining the best scheme or formation that fits the talent and depth on this year's team, but Sabers is committed to a more aggressive defense. He's reducing some defensive concepts to keep it simple so the Little Hawks can play faster.

'Defensively, we just have to get better,” Sabers said. 'Last year teams were able to run it against us and they could throw it as well. We gave up 30-, 40-point totals quite often last year and that's just something you can't do if you expect to win more than you lose.”

Linebacker Erik Fletcher, City's top tackler last season, returns. Cornerback Naeem Smith and safety Tom Pugh bolster the Little Hawk secondary.

Wieland returns at quarterback after starting as a sophomore last season. Sabers can't remember the last time City had a sophomore start on varsity. Even A.J. Derby, who went on to play at Iowa and later Arkansas, played receiver as a sophomore before moving to quarterback.

'The real good ones can do that, and I think Nate has a chance to real good,” Sabers said.

As one might expect, Wieland had an up-and-down season, completing 52 percent of his passes for 1,093 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Wieland - a threat with his legs - also led the Little Hawks with 753 rushing yards and seven TDs on the ground.

Wieland has focused his attention on becoming a more complete passer, working on accuracy and reading the defensive coverage.

'The game's a lot more up-tempo,” Wieland said. 'You have to know the opponent's defense a lot better than what you do at the freshman level. It hurt me the first half of the season, then the game started to slow down a little bit.”

Wieland will get a boost with the return of Jason Jones, a speedy senior receiver who missed the 2014 season with an injury.

Jones averaged 16.4 yards a catch and scored two touchdowns as a sophomore on varsity.

'You put that together and that can create some problems for defenses,” Sabers said.

IOWA CITY HIGH, at a glance

Coach: Dan Sabers (15th year, 116-40)

Last year: 2-7

Returning letterwinners: QB Nate Wieland, FB/LB Erick Fletcher, OL/DL Pat Henkhaus, TE/S Tom Pugh, WR/DB Naeem Smtih, FB/LB Dillon Africa, OL/DL Nick Figuerora, RB/DL Kyle Swenning, WR/DB Jason Jones, WR/DB Brady Bigley, WR/DB Griffin Fellows, WR/DB Juma Burnett

Key losses: OL/DL Eric McDonald, LB DeJuan McKenny, RB Mike Fredieu, RB/DB Bryson Runge, LB DeJuan McKenny, WR/DB Evan Grace

Key to making the playoffs: City's defense must improve after allowing 32.7 points per game last season.

Game to watch: City hosts district favorite Cedar Rapids Washington on Oct. 16.

Schedule (*district game)

Aug. 28 - at Cedar Falls

Sept. 4 - Bettendorf

Sept. 11 - at Ames

Sept. 18 - Iowa City West

Sept. 25 - *Ottumwa

Oct. 2 - *at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Oct. 9 - *Burlington

Oc.t 16 - *Cedar Rapids Washington

Oct. 23 - *at Muscatine