The Hampton-Dumont-CAL football team will have several new players in the offensive skill positions this year.
Head Coach Cole Miller says there’s a position battle at quarterback as they look to replace two-year starter Gavin Meader.
“Brody Strother and Blake Burmester, those two are looking to capitalize and take that spot,” Miller says. “Those two have been really consistent over the summer. They’ve been at a lot of stuff. We did some seven-on-seven outings where they were both there trying to battle and learn the passing scheme. So I’m happy with the progress we’ve made there as well. And they’re both really good with working together to learn as well. Yes, it is a battle, but they’re teammates first and they’re helping each other grow in that area. So it’s kind of interesting too, because depending on who wins the spot, that might change the way our offense ultimately looks.”
Strother received limited varsity reps during his sophomore year in 2023, and was 2/3 passing for 19 yards.
Among the returners that received varsity carries at running back last year, none had more than 100 yards.
“Colin Bird and Taylor Mahler are two kids that are looking to really take over that role of being our bell cow for us. And Jacob Mahler is another one of those guys that’s going to be a junior this year and he’s looking for an opportunity. He’ll probably get a lot of carries this season. And then we have a couple of younger guys that are pretty hungry and they’re making a push to get themselves some varsity carries or some varsity opportunities too. So as far as the battle goes in that position, I’m happy with how close the talent level is. It’s going to be a hard decision to make on who the starter is and how many carries everyone gets. So that’s a fun problem to have.”
Two players who caught passes, Strother and Austin Hanson, are back this year, meaning the wide receiver group will also be mostly new at the varsity level.
The Bulldogs will scrimmage at Mason City on Friday, August 23. They’ll begin the season by hosting Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday, August 30.
