Storm football ready to build on momentum entering 2025 season
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Coming off its best season since 2019, the Simpson College football team enters 2025 looking to take another step forward under third-year head coach Reed Hoskins.
The Storm finished 5-5 overall and 4-4 in the American Rivers Conference in 2024, highlighted by their first unbeaten home record at Bill Buxton Stadium in more than two decades. With CJ Hangartner leading the defense and the combination of Noah Cracraft and Cole Staska pacing the offense, the Storm are well-positioned for another competitive year in the A-R-C.
"Our team is excited for the upcoming season," said Hoskins. "We have a great group of returners and are looking forward to seeing all their hard work and dedication pay off this fall. The A-R-C schedule provides great competition every year and Storm football will be ready for the challenge."
In the A-R-C Preseason Coaches Poll, Simpson was slotted fifth with 35 points. The Storm open the 2025 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 6, at home against Augustana under the lights at 6 p.m.
SUMMARIZING LAST SEASON
- The Storm finished middle of the pack in the conference with a 5-5 overall record and 4-4 mark in league play, their best performance since 2019.
- Simpson celebrated its first undefeated season at Bill Buxton Stadium since 2003, securing victories against Crown, Loras, Nebraska Wesleyan, Buena Vista, and Luther.
- Linebacker CJ Hangartner and wide receiver Noah Cracraft were both named to the D3football.com All-Region Third Team. Cracraft's honor was the first by a Simpson rookie, while Hangartner collected his second career all-region award.
- Cracraft was also tabbed the conference's inaugural Rookie of the Year after surpassing 1,000 yards and breaking the program's rookie record for receiving touchdowns (14).
- The Storm placed six players on the all-conference ballot in total, including returners Hangartner, Cracraft, and Tanner Philpott. Graduates J Jensen III, Joe Bream and Zach Truitt all closed their careers with an all-conference nod as well.
- Simpson ranked second in the A-R-C in passing offense (259.4 yards/game), scoring 25 touchdowns through the air. Jensen graduated as the program's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (80) and set a new single-season completion percentage record (66.1%).
- Cracraft (1,048 yards, 14 TDs) and Cole Staska (656 yards, 8 TDs) ranked among the league's most productive pass catchers, while Demarico Young (682 yards, 5 TDs) paced the Storm on the ground.
KEY OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (2024 STATS)
- Noah Cracraft, sophomore wide receiver (69 receptions, 1,048 yards, 14 touchdowns)
- Cole Staska, senior wide receiver (60 receptions, 656 yards, 8 touchdowns)
- Demarico Young, sophomore running back (142 rushes, 682 yards, 5 touchdowns)
KEY DEFENSIVE RETURNERS (2024 STATS)
- CJ Hangartner, senior linebacker (57 tackles, 13 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles)
- Mekhi Holmes, junior defensive back (36 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups)
- Jerrell Carter Jr, senior defensive back (37 tackles, 2 TFL)
2025 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Wartburg (10-2, 8-0 A-R-C) - 61 points
2. Central (8-2, 6-2 A-R-C) - 58 points
3. Coe (9-2, 7-1 A-R-C) - 49 points
4. Dubuque 5-5, 5-3 A-R-C) - 46 points
5. Simpson (5-5, 4-4 A-R-C) - 35 points
6. Nebraska Wesleyan (2-6, 3-7 A-R-C) - 27 points
7. Loras (2-8, 2-6 A-R-C) - 24 points
8. Buena Vista (2-8, 2-6 A-R-C) - 16 points
9. Luther (1-9, 0-8 A-R-C) - 8 points
