The Newton football team is enjoying a record-breaking season in 2025, and while the offensive linemen may not be the ones scoring touchdowns, their performance has been vital. The Cardinals” offensive line has yet to concede a sack this year, a significant achievement that has contributed to their offensive success. “They do all the dirty work so I can stay clean and the running backs and receivers can make plays,” said senior quarterback Caden Klein. “It all comes down to them. Without those guys performing like they have, we wouldn”t have been able to do much of anything.”
This fall, Klein has set numerous offensive records, leading the Cardinals to the top of Class 4A with 61 touchdowns, 4,437 total yards, and a remarkable 7.7 yards per carry average. The offensive line, consisting of seniors Rylan Modlin, Koltt Ahn, and Will Rawlins, along with juniors Jake Mace-Maynard and Nicholas Batawui, has played a crucial role in creating space for skill position players. Impressively, only two of these linemen were starters on last year”s team.
Head coach Andy Swedenhjelm expressed pride in how the linemen have bonded. “I felt really good about that group, but you could probably have said that was a question mark coming into the season. It”s a lot of new guys in there, but I had confidence in them,” he shared. “They do a lot of the dirty work that being an offensive lineman is all about. They”re great leaders and great character kids who work extremely hard.”
Ahn, the starting center, also contributes on the defensive line despite being undersized at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds. His leadership qualities are acknowledged as unmatched, making him one of the team”s captains. Rawlins, who weighs 225 pounds, is another key player. He transitioned to the team from Texas a few years ago, and the addition of newcomer Batawui has further strengthened the line.
On Thursday, the Cardinals face a formidable opponent, Cedar Rapids Xavier, which boasts 44 tackles for loss and 12 sacks this season. The undefeated Saints” defensive unit leads 4A with 15 interceptions. “(Klein) having all the time he”s been given to throw the perfect passes has helped us,” stated junior running back Qhjuan Coley.
All five linemen agree that their ability to integrate new players seamlessly is largely due to the coaching staff”s efforts. “We can take anyone from anywhere and put them in the program and they feel right at home,” Mace-Maynard said, who has gained 30 pounds during the offseason. He emphasized the bonds formed in just eight months with newcomers like Batawui.
Modlin, who missed last season due to injury, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play this year. “It was terrible,” he recalled. “I”m still injured some, but it makes you realize how great the game is.” He credited the skill players for easing his workload, as Klein leads 4A with 39 total touchdowns.
Additionally, junior tailback Isaiah Hansen ranks second in rushing touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Finn Martin leads the class in receiving yards and touchdowns. This year marks the first time in school history that Newton features a 1,000-yard passer, rusher, and receiver.
“It”s awesome to be a part of it,” Ahn said. “They can make something out of nothing a lot, too.” Batawui, who weighs 270 pounds, noted that the transition from Sioux City West was made smoother by the team”s camaraderie and the coaching staff”s family-like atmosphere.
The highly anticipated semifinal matchup against Cedar Rapids Xavier is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. For the Cardinals to maintain their impressive no-sack streak, they will need to focus on identifying blitzing linebackers. “There”s lots of linebackers flying around,” Mace-Maynard said. “You have to have your eyes up, which we”ve done a good job with so far. I think we can get a good push on their defensive line, too.”
