Wartburg QB Matt Sacia named Iowa Conference football offensive MVP

CEDAR RAPIDS — Junior quarterback Matt Sacia of Wartburg was named Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Iowa Conference, the league announced Thursday.

Sacia threw for 1,995 yards and 24 touchdowns to help the Knights to an unbeaten regular season (10-0) and a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Wartburg hosts Franklin College of Indiana (8-2) in a first-round game Saturday at noon.

Wartburg's Rick Willis was named the IIAC Coach of the Year. Dubuque senior defensive back Michael Joseph was selected Defensive MVP.

Coe College placed four players on the all-IIAC first team, two on offense and two on defense. Seniors Robbie Peters and Drew Heitland were named first-team defensive linemen, senior Jacob Langenberg and junior Dalton Kuehl first-team offensive linemen.

Luther senior defensive lineman Mitch Van Epps also was selected to the first team. Other former Gazette-area prep named to the first team were Wartburg senior wide receiver Riley Brockway (Postville), Wartburg senior linebacker Tony Anstoetter (Dyersville Beckman) and Central senior tight end Kyle Gritsch (BGM).