Samson lands on INA first team

CMB landed four players on the INA all-state teams Sunday, including quarterback Dan Samson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and passed for more than 1,000 on his way to a first-team nod at utility. The Raiders went 8-1 during the regular season. Craig Murphy/Daily News file photo

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DES MOINES — Not a lot of players in Class 2A had the kind of season Dan Samson of Collins-Maxwell-Baxter had this year. The four-year starter at quarterback ran for more than 1,000 yards, threw for more than 1,000 and led the Raiders to an 8-1 finish in the regular season. For his efforts, he was selected to the Iowa Newspaper Association’s first-team all-state team as a utility player Sunday at the INA offices in Des Moines. Joining Samson on the Class 2A all-state teams were teammates Dylan Hansen, Jake Bucklin and Ethan Schmidt. “We felt like we had a pretty good season,” CMB coach Rob Luther said. “It’s great for the program and for the kids. We are doing things the right way.” PCM’s Kyle Kane was selected as a second-team linebacker, while teammate Gavin Burns made it in as a third-team running back and Colfax-Mingo’s Derek Trask was picked as a third-team defensive back. A lot of players factored into CMB’s record-setting season. But none were as big on the offensive end as Samson, who rushed for 1,212 yards and threw for 1,184. “He was very deserving,” Luther said. “He was truly an all-state player. His desire to win is huge. He hates to lose and has a great work ethic.” Hansen, a junior wide receiver, set the bar for his senior year extremely high this year, as he played the biggest part in Samson’s passing total. He finished with 684 receiving yards on 39 catches and six touchdowns on his way to a second-team all-state nod. And he is only going to get better, according to Luther. “He’s got a lot of skills,” Luther said. “His best football is still ahead of him. He showed he can make a lot of plays.” Also making the second team on defense was Bucklin and Schmidt. Bucklin is a two-time first team all-district selection who had 66 tackles — 23 for loss — and two interceptions this season from his defensive end position. “He’s a student of the game,” Luther said. “He’s not the biggest kid, but he is smart. He makes a lot of plays and knew what his role on our team was.” Schmidt doesn’t have huge numbers to back up his play on the field, but that’s mainly because teams looked to throw away from his side of the grass. He did finish with 29 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. “It’s hard to measure defensive backs because if teams don’t throw your way, the numbers aren’t there,” Luther said. “We knew last year he was a pretty good corner. He just has the natural instincts.” Kane, the District 7 Defensive Player of the Year a season ago, led PCM in tackles this year with 112 and also had two interceptions for the Mustangs, who earned the fourth and final playoff spot in District after a 6-3 season. “He had a great year and really blossomed into that position,” PCM coach Dar Dahms said. “He has the build of a defensive end, but we needed linebackers last year. He accepted the switch and did a nice job for us.” Burns played most of the year hurt and missed two games due to a hand injury. He still finished with 912 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 60 tackles and two picks. He came 48 yards shy of setting a new school record in career rushing yards, too. “There is no doubt that if he played in those games that he missed, he sets the record,” Dahms said. “He’s done a nice job for us. I am really happy for both of the guys who made it. They are good leaders.” Colfax-Mingo won two games in the previous two years before winning five this past season. And a big part of that turnaround was due to Trask, who played quarterback and linebacker for the Tigerhawks. He led the team in rushing yards with 653, had 1,526 passing yards and led the team in tackles with 108. “He was our most valuable player for sure,” Colfax-Mingo coach Todd Jones said. “He’s very deserving of an all-state nod. The downfall for him was our record and our tradition here. But he was the biggest part to our success this year. His determination and leadership were big for us.” Samson settled for first-team utility because Cherokee’s Tyler Jones, the state’s passing leader, earned first-team honors at quarterback. Other District 7 first teamers included West Marshall’s Drake Ferch, Sam Buck and Austin Nichols. Dustin Howard of North Polk earned first-team recognition at linebacker, while Clear Lake’s Jordan Gacke was named Class 2A captain.