CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Iowa High School Athletic Association is proud to honor and induct two classes of the Football Hall of Fame at the UNI-Dome during two 2021 championship games on Friday, Nov. 19.
The 2020 class was announced last November, but ceremonies were canceled when COVID-19 protocols were updated for spectators and games the week of the championships. Those five selections will be introduced at halftime of the Class 3A championship game, set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
The 2021 class, as listed below, will be inducted at halftime of the Class 5A championship game, set for a 7 p.m. kickoff. In the 50th year of playoff football at the IHSAA, the 2021 selections span from the pre-playoff era into the 2000s.
The IHSAA began honoring the on and off-field accomplishments of Iowa’s greatest high school football players back in 1980. Players are nominated by member schools, then presented to a committee made up of Hall of Fame coaches, then taken to the IHSAA’s Board of Control.
Class of 2021
BILL ALBRIGHT, Madrid
LEVI FERGUSON, North Mahaska
ROBERT GALLERY, East Buchanan
TERRY LAMBERT, Perry
DAN McCARNEY, Iowa City, City High
BRET MEYER, Atlantic
CLASS OF 2020
RYAN HANNAM, Saint Ansgar
JEFF KOEPPEL, Urbandale
MIKE KLINKENBORG, Central Lyon — Rugged three-year starter who played every snap and led his team to three playoff appearances. Elite all-state as a senior, finished career with 417 tackles. Earned four varsity letters, then started two years with Iowa Hawkeyes. A team defensive MVP as a junior, he was team captain and second-team All-Big Ten as a senior.
DARIN NAATJES, West Lyon, Inwood — Four-year starter and three-time letterwinner for powerhouse program, going from receiver to quarterback. Scored 188 career points, won 1998 state championship and was all-state as defensive end. Played football and baseball at Stanford University, then drafted by St. Louis Cardinals and played three years in minor leagues.
