Just recapping my beginning of the season post
District 1
Favorite: MMCRU
Top Challenger: Gehlen
I think that MMCRU returns the most from a very solid team, but they do lose a pretty good QB. I think Gehlen is always solid and returns quite a bit from a team that seemed to improve as the season went on. After that I see A-A, A-W and S-O competing for the last 2 playoff spots, A-W lost quite a bit from last year’s district title team.
I believe that MMCRU was without a couple of key players when they played Gehlen, if they have them they might have been the champ, and they played West Hancock very tough in the playoffs, overall I think I had this district pretty well predicted other then not seeing HMS making the playoffs.
District 2
Favorite: Saint Ansgar
Top Challenger: West Hancock
I went back and forth for who to make the favorite, I see both of these teams as top 5 teams in the state, Saint maybe returns a little more, but I also think that West Hancock rebuilds year after year. After those two it is Lake Mills, the one question, I have about them is numbers as they didn’t seem to have very many out, and the Bacon kid will be a big loss. For the four spot I would probably go with Newman but it’s a toss-up.
I mentioned the four playoff teams, I was higher on Lake Mills then what they finished. Saint and WH was a 1 point game, and two of the top teams in the state.
District 3
Favorite: Wapsie Valley
Top Challenger: Nashua Plainfield
This is Wapsie’s district, I think they are a top 5 team in the state and shouldn’t be challenged in the district. After that I put NP as the top challenger, but I think there are 4 teams competing for 3 playoff spots. NP, NB, and SW all lost some important seniors, I think NP probably returns the most experience, although NB, SW, and NT all return their QBs. NT I believe lost by a touchdown or less in 4 games last year, but depth could be a big concern.
Wapsie won the district and NP was second, I was probably a little too high on Wapsie overall, but they did have a successful season.
District 4
Favorite: Starmont
Top Challenger: Maquoketa Valley
This is a district where I think there are 5 teams competing for 4 playoff spots. I took Starmont as the favorite as I think they return the most, although the King kid that they lost was a great athlete. Maquoketa Valley lost the McShane kid which is a huge loss, but they started a bunch of sophomores last year, that is why I put them at two. East Buc is well coached, but Thurn, Bowers, and Fox powered that team last year. North Linn has been solid the last few years, but I think they take a step back, and Bellevue is always solid.
Starmont underperformed, but also had some injuries,
District 5
Favorite: Lisbon
Top Challenger: Pekin
I think Lisbon is the clear favorite in this district, and should roll to a district title, overall I think the district will be weak again. I put Pekin at 2 I think that they have the most questions answered going into the season for me. I see Columbus taking a step back with Amigon graduating but I still think that they are a playoff team. I would take Danville as a playoff team again, and am interested to see what they do in year to in their return to football.
District 6
Favorite: Madrid
Top Challenger: Mount Ayr
Mount Ayr is kind of the pick of a lot of people I have seen, and I will go with them as well, but I do think that this district is closer then many think. Mount Ayr returns just about everyone off of a very young team and as a program has made the dome in the past so they do have some pedigree and they could very easily jump up and win the district. I still think Lynnville Sully will be decent and a playoff team. For the last spot I see Central Decatur or North Mahaska. North Mahaska has been down for a while but seem to be returning some nice pieces as well.
District 7
Favorite: AC/GC
Top Challenger: Earlham
I think AC/GC is turning themselves into one of the most consistent programs in small school football in Iowa, the question is if they will take another step to the dome this year. Maybe a few questions on defense but I think a clear favorite. I took Earlham second as they are consistent and return quite a bit, but I could see them fall to 3 or 4 as well. After that I think that IKM and Riverside show the most returning so I would take them for the final two spots.
District 8
Favorite: Woodbury Central
Top Challenger: Logan Magnolia
I think that this is Woodbury Central’s district until someone really challenges them. They do lose a great quarterback but I think return enough for a runner up team to be the favorite. I took LoMa second because I think they return enough and are typically solid throughout the years. After that I don’t know who the final two spots will be. Are KP-RV going together after this year? If not, I could see that being a problem. Westwood, Tri Center and even Saint Albert could contend for playoff spots.
My Top 10
1. Saint Ansgar
2. AC/GC
3. Wapsie Valley
4. West Hancock
5. Woodbury Central
6. Madrid
7. MMCRU
8. Lisbon
9. Starmont
10. Mount Ayr
There is always a gap between the haves and have nots in Class A, but I think there is going to be more parity amongst the top teams this year.
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