Ames (Iowa) football standout Dallas Sauser setting passing records, catching college interest

Sauser, who broke an Iowa high school passing record, plays for his dad and could reunite with his brother at Iowa State

By Dana Becker 

Even from a young age, Dallas Sauser has always had his dad, Brian, close by.

Sauser, an Ames High School senior quarterback, is coached by his father, Brian. That bond started back around the third grade and has helped build the Little Cyclone program into a playoff contender this fall.

The two came as a package deal when Brian Sauser left Grinnell to lead the Ames program. AHS went 4-5 a year ago in Sauser’s first season, but started this year off by winning five of the first six, highlighted by a record-setting performance from Dallas Sauser.

In a 57-28 victory over Sioux City North, Sauser completed 34-of-47 passes for 590 yards with six touchdowns, even adding a seventh score on the ground. The 590 yards set a new Iowa high school 11-player single-game record.

“Breaking the record was definitely an awesome feeling,” he said. “I knew after the game that I was definitely close to beating it, and when it officially was announced, it was super exciting.

“Our offense did a great job that night, too. The offensive line didn’t allow a single pressure, which always makes my life easier. And our receivers really made the difference in their yards after catch. We just kept on flipping it out to them and they kept on making plays.”

Sauser showed his incredible ability to scan the field, completing passes to seven different receivers in his record-setting performance. He also threw for 378 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Marshalltown this season, along with going for 374 vs. Fort Dodge.

“Being the quarterback, I have always known that there is a special leadership role that you take on in that position,” Sauser said. “I’ve always known the expectation to be a good example for everyone.

“Especially being a senior now has made me have to step up as a leader and our team.”

Ames High School senior quarterback Dallas Sauser (left) played two seasons of high school football with his older brother Dodge, who is now an offensive lineman at Iowa State. 

This past Friday night, Sauser was once again on the cusp of setting records, this time with the pressure of needing a win to help Ames in its chase of the postseason. In a 60-13 victory over Des Moines Lincoln, he completed 32-of-44 passes for 532 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

After a scoreless first 12 minutes, the Little Cyclones put up 20 points in each of the next three quarters. Ames now faces Johnston at home Friday night sitting at 6-2 overall and with Sauser having thrown for 2,853 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 193 of 290 passe.

He is also set to be honored as a senior alongside his classmates, many of whom have played a key role in his success as a quarterback by either catching his passes or protecting him up front in the trenches.

For Sauser, that close bond with his father has only grown over the years.

“He has always been a huge part of my football career,” Sauser said. “He’s always been by my side. I grew up with him as my coach, so we’ve had our moments together.

“It’s really been awesome that we have had the year we’ve had in our last year together before I go off to college.”

Recently, Sauser made a visit to Iowa State, a place familiar to the family. His brother, Dodge, is a redshirt freshman playing on the offensive line for Matt Campbell and the Cyclones.

“My brother has always been a huge influence in my life,” Sauser said. “He always set the standard for hard work and doing what it takes to be successful.

“He’s always been by my side.”

In fact, the pair were teammates when Dallas was a freshman and sophomore at Grinnell, while Dodge was a junior and senior. Over those two seasons, Dallas threw for 2,583 yards and 25 touchdowns.

A year later, he transferred to Ames and racked up 2,391 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 194 of 338 passes for the Little Cyclones.

Sauser, a 6-foot-2, 160-pounder, has received interest from both in-state schools in Iowa and Iowa State. He is a pro-style quarterback who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs over 160 pounds.

“Recruiting has been pretty quiet so far. but I’ve been going on some gameday visits to Iowa State,” Sauser said. “My goal is to play college football because that’s always been a goal of mine since I was a little kid.”