2025 Season Outlook Class A
- By PNation
- General Football Forum
- 0 Replies
Here is my second outlook for the 2025 season, I think that Class A could be fun this year with no clear favorite. Again, I post these to try and get some discussion going, I in know way think I know it all, but rather just enjoy talking about High School Football in Iowa.
Class A
District 1
Last Year’s Records
Gehlen 8-2
MMCRU 7-3
Sioux Central 5-4
Sibley-Ocheyedan 5-4
West Sioux 3-6 (1A)
HMS 3-6
South O’Brien 0-9
Prediction
Reasoning: I look at this district as one that has 4 teams that should be a solid, but may be missing a piece or two, one team that is traditionally very solid, but will have to fill in a bunch of pieces, and 2 that I think will struggle. I took MMCRU first because I think that they have the most important pieces back, they bring back their QB, RB, most of their line, and quite a bit of their defense. After that I took West Sioux, 1A drop down that was competitive in just about every game that they played, and they do return quite a bit as well, just not quite as much as MMCRU. S-O loses a stud in the Julius kid but appear to return most other important pieces, I just think that he was vital to their success last year, so the younger kids will need to step up. I took Sioux Central over Gehlen with what they bring back compared to Gehlen, and they do drop down from 1A, although a weaker district. Gehlen has the tradition and I trust that they will be competitive but there are just so many unknowns. HMS was competitive last year but lose most of their production, and South O’Brien really struggled last year and I don’t see them improving much.
District 2
Last Year’s Records
West Hancock 12-1
Newman 4-5
Lake Mills 4-5
Belmond Klemme 2-7
West Fork 2-7
BCLUW 2-7
AGWSR 1-7
Prediction
Reasoning: West Hancock is going to run away with this district, they do lose some important pieces but they were so much ahead of anyone in this district last year I don’t see anyone being within 5 touchdowns of them. I have heard people say that they might not reload quite as well as other years, but I’m not sure if I believe that. I took Newman second, and they do have some holes to fill, but they return the QB that got hurt, and I think they are the most proven over time of the 6 other teams in the district. I’m going BK third just because they have been so young the last couple of years and I think that they take a big step this year, and they have decent numbers, and their loss to West Fork was with a few kids hurt. West Fork is very similar to BK in a lot of young kids coming back, but not quite at the same rate. Lake Mills is a tough team to predict, they’ve had better success then most teams in the district the last few years, but I think the senior class they lose will be tough to replace. AGWSR and BCLUW round out the district, both programs have struggled the last few years, and with BCLUW losing their coach who I think actually improved the program I think they will struggle.
District 3
Last Year’s Records
Saint Ansgar 10-2
Nashua Plainfield 6-4
North Butler 5-4
Starmont 5-4
South Winn 4-5
Clayton Ridge 2-6
Postville 1-7
Predictions
District 4
Last Year’s Records
Maquoketa Valley 9-2
Wapsie Valley 7-3
North Linn 6-3
East Marshall 4-5 (1A)
East Buchanan 3-5
Midland 1-7 (8 man)
North Cedar 0-8
Predictions
Reasoning: Maybe the toughest district to call. I took MV because they return everyone expect the Beitz kid (who was a handful) and a receiver. They bring back everyone else, including quite a few kids who will be starting for their 4th season, and juniors who started as sophomores. I also like how they should be balanced on offense. Wapsie is Wapsie and I am in no way counting them out, but they do lose the Decker kid who was an all around stud, and I think a couple of lineman. I’m also interested to see if they are a little more pass first this year, but it would not surprise me to see them take the district. North Linn third, they do lose 5 or 6 really good football players, but they had enough youth play last year that I feel confident in putting them in third. East Buc in 4th, they were.really young last year overall, and had a couple of injuries early on that caused them to take some bump and bruises, but finished strong, although against the weakest part of their schedule. East Marshall is a drop down from a tough 1A district who might sneak into the playoffs, but they do need to find a QB and RB, and kind of learn how to win, they haven’t been good in a very long time, that’s why I put them in 5th. North Cedar really struggled last year, but didn’t graduate too many kids, and maybe a new coach will turn the tide. Midland is a 8 man force up, and they were not very good in 8 man. They do have a really good athlete in the Harrington kid, and to return a lot of kids that played but I don’t seem them doing very well this year.
District 5
Last Year’s Records
Pekin 8-2
Danville 5-4
Highland 4-4
Columbus 4-5
Wapello 2-7
New London 2-6 (8 man)
Van Buren 1-7
Predictions
Reasoning: Overall, I think that this is the weakest district, but I won’t hold that against them. I took Pekin first just because their program seems to be the healthiest overall, they do lose the Adam kid that was their main offensive threat, but I think he has a younger brother, and I think they can find enough pieces to still win this district. I took Danville second, they do lose their QB and top pass catchers, but by the looks of it they return some athletes and most of their top tacklers, they seem to have it figured out since they brought back football a couple of years ago. I took Wapello third, they were competitive against Danville and Columbus last year, and return probably the most of any team in the district, so I think they will take a jump into the playoffs. Columbus forth, they lose the older Kaalberg kid and some solid (and big) lineman, but they do return some other athletes, and I think the coaching staff does a nice job with the team. Highland took a step forward last year, but they lose a lot of key seniors, so I don’t know if they will continue to rise. New London is an 8 man move up, who I am just honestly not sure about, I could see them doing better than this, but moving up tends to be tough on teams. Finally Van Buren really struggled last year and I don’t see anything that changes that for them.
District 6
Last Year’s Records
Madrid 9-3
Earlham 6-3
Lynnville Sully 5-4
North Mahaska 4-4
BGM 4-5 (8 man)
Colfax Mingo 1-7 (1A)
Martendale St Marys 0-8
Predictions
Reasoning: Even though Madrid lost the Wicker kid who was maybe the most important player for any team last year they bring back a lot, I do think that they may go through some growing pains without him, but my guess is that they might look a little different but still very good. For 2 and 3 it was close for me between Lynnville Sully and Earlham, Earlham actually beat Madrid last year, but Lynnville Sully brings back quite a bit, while Earlham has some holes to fill. I just think that both of those programs are in a much better spot than anyone below them. I put BGM in the four spot over North Mahaska mainly because of the Burns kid. He put up video game numbers last year. I am concerned about their ability to play defense, but not enough to drop them below the other teams. North Mahaska is the team that I think can contend for a playoff spot, but they lose a couple key pieces and will have a new coach, so I put them in 5th. Colfax Mingo really struggled in 1A last year, dropping down may help them, but I’m not sure how much, and finally Martensdale St. Marys also really struggled last year and I don’t think they improve that much.
District 7
Last Year’s Records
ACGC 10-1
Mount Ayr 7-3
Riverside 7-3
AHSTW 6-3 (1A)
Central Decatur 2-6
Southwest Valley 1-7
Nodaway Valley 0-8 (1A)
Predictions
This is probably the other district that I think is very difficult to call. I am going with my gut feeling that ACGC has built the program to the point where they will reload and not have to rebuild. Plus the cupboard is not bare, they do have the Crawford kid back probably around ½ of their defense, and a few lineman, to me that is enough to still put them in the 1 spot. Riverside brings back a very good running back in the Gordon kid, and their QB, and a few lineman, my concern is losing their three top tacklers and pass catchers, I don’t think that they can get too one dimensional and beat ACGC. AHSTW is another team that I think could win this district dropping down from a solid 1A district and having a bunch of tradition, but they do have some holes to fill, and I hope whatever the issue was with the coaching staff was is resolved. I do see them in a clear top three finish however. Mount Ayr seems to be the best of the rest but a decent margin, they were solid last year, and tend to be every year, I do have some concerns about who they lost compared to the rest of the district, but I trust the program there. Central Decatur was up and down last year, but did win a few ball games so I think you have to put them with a chance at the post season, but I am not sure that the overall talent is there to move them up. Southwest Valley and Nodaway Valley both struggled last year, even though Nodaway Valley is a drop down, I took Southwest Valley because overall they were more competitive than Nodaway Valley.
District 8
Last Year’s Records
Woodbury Central 8-3
Lo-Ma 5-4
IKM-Manning 3-5
Akron Westfield 3-6
St. Albert 3-6
Westwood 3-6
West Monona 1-8
Preditions
Reasoning: To me Woodbury Central is the clear favorite in district 8. Losing the Butler kid will he a tough kid to replace as he did a lot for them on both offense and defense, but I think the fact that they return their QB, 2 of the top 3 pass catchers, and quite a bit of their defense should mean that they take the district pretty easily. Plus I look at their results last year, they lost to the state champion, runner up, and Gehlen who they then beat in the playoffs, so that is quite impressive. Lo-Ma with a combination of being a solid program year in and year out and bringing back quite a bit as well, is my choice for 2nd place, and I really think that the gap between them and the rest is pretty big. IKM-Manning next because of how much the bring back and they are always competitive even in down years, but I will say that they haven’t been as good the last few years so we will see about this pick. Then for the final playoff spot I have St. Albert, I don’t know if they will ever get back to their dominate days, but they do seem to be in a better spot then a few years ago, I do wonder if they lose some players with breaking off that sharing agreement. AW seems to be in the best spot of the rest of the teams, but I could see Westwood passing them, but I just thought that AW brought back more. Finally, West Monona has really struggled for as long as I can remember so I don’t see any reason to move them up.
My Top 10
I put West Hancock in the 1 spot because until someone proves that they can take them down, I see no reason not to, I have ranked them lower before and they always seem to be there in the end. Saint Ansgar two, they have the tougher schedule between them and WH, but that may be an advantage come playoff time, I just think with what they bring back and the program tradition that they have they should be there. Maquoketa Valley was a quarterfinalist that brings back almost everyone. Woodbury Central is very similar to MV just losing a little bit more. Madrid has to replace their best player, but have a bunch coming back to like from a dome team. Wapsie is always there, and I think could be a dome team. ACGC has some holes to fill, but have been remarkably consistent over the last 5 or so years. MMCRU might finish higher, but I want to start them here and see how they do, because they tend to have a head scratcher throughout the season. Riverside has two really good skilled guys back, but loses some of their defense, and West Sioux is a drop down with a lot of tradition the last 10 or so years.
If my predictions are correct these would be my playoff pairings.
1s vs 4s (winner in bold)
MMCRU vs St. Albert
West Hancock vs North Butler
Saint Ansgar vs West Fork
Maquoketa Valley vs Columbus
Pekin vs East Buchanan
Madrid vs Mount Ayr
ACGC vs BGM
Woodbury Central vs Sioux Central
2s vs 3s (winner in bold)
West Sioux vs AHSTW
Newman vs South Winn
Nashua Plainfield vs Belmond Klemme
Wapsie Valley vs Wapello
Danville vs North Linn
Lynnville Sully vs IKM-Manning
Riverside vs Earlham
LoMa vs Sibley-Ocheyedan
PODS
West Hancock vs Sibley-Ocheyedan
ACGC vs Lynnville Sully
Saint Ansgar vs East Buchanan
Wapsie Valley vs Nashua Plainfield
Maquoketa Valley vs South Winn
Madrid vs North Linn
Woodbury Central vs West Sioux
MMCRU vs Riverside
Class A
District 1
Last Year’s Records
Gehlen 8-2
MMCRU 7-3
Sioux Central 5-4
Sibley-Ocheyedan 5-4
West Sioux 3-6 (1A)
HMS 3-6
South O’Brien 0-9
Prediction
- MMCRU
- West Sioux
- Sibley-Ocheyedan
- Sioux Central
- Gehlen
- HMS
- South O’Brien
Reasoning: I look at this district as one that has 4 teams that should be a solid, but may be missing a piece or two, one team that is traditionally very solid, but will have to fill in a bunch of pieces, and 2 that I think will struggle. I took MMCRU first because I think that they have the most important pieces back, they bring back their QB, RB, most of their line, and quite a bit of their defense. After that I took West Sioux, 1A drop down that was competitive in just about every game that they played, and they do return quite a bit as well, just not quite as much as MMCRU. S-O loses a stud in the Julius kid but appear to return most other important pieces, I just think that he was vital to their success last year, so the younger kids will need to step up. I took Sioux Central over Gehlen with what they bring back compared to Gehlen, and they do drop down from 1A, although a weaker district. Gehlen has the tradition and I trust that they will be competitive but there are just so many unknowns. HMS was competitive last year but lose most of their production, and South O’Brien really struggled last year and I don’t see them improving much.
District 2
Last Year’s Records
West Hancock 12-1
Newman 4-5
Lake Mills 4-5
Belmond Klemme 2-7
West Fork 2-7
BCLUW 2-7
AGWSR 1-7
Prediction
- West Hancock
- Newman
- Belmond Klemme
- West Fork
- Lake Mills
- AGWSR
- BCLUW
Reasoning: West Hancock is going to run away with this district, they do lose some important pieces but they were so much ahead of anyone in this district last year I don’t see anyone being within 5 touchdowns of them. I have heard people say that they might not reload quite as well as other years, but I’m not sure if I believe that. I took Newman second, and they do have some holes to fill, but they return the QB that got hurt, and I think they are the most proven over time of the 6 other teams in the district. I’m going BK third just because they have been so young the last couple of years and I think that they take a big step this year, and they have decent numbers, and their loss to West Fork was with a few kids hurt. West Fork is very similar to BK in a lot of young kids coming back, but not quite at the same rate. Lake Mills is a tough team to predict, they’ve had better success then most teams in the district the last few years, but I think the senior class they lose will be tough to replace. AGWSR and BCLUW round out the district, both programs have struggled the last few years, and with BCLUW losing their coach who I think actually improved the program I think they will struggle.
District 3
Last Year’s Records
Saint Ansgar 10-2
Nashua Plainfield 6-4
North Butler 5-4
Starmont 5-4
South Winn 4-5
Clayton Ridge 2-6
Postville 1-7
Predictions
- Saint Ansgar
- Nashua Plainfield
- South Winn
- North Butler
- Starmont
- Clayton Ridge
- Postville
District 4
Last Year’s Records
Maquoketa Valley 9-2
Wapsie Valley 7-3
North Linn 6-3
East Marshall 4-5 (1A)
East Buchanan 3-5
Midland 1-7 (8 man)
North Cedar 0-8
Predictions
- Maquoketa Valley
- Wapsie Valley
- North Linn
- East Buchanan
- East Marshall
- North Cedar
- Midland
Reasoning: Maybe the toughest district to call. I took MV because they return everyone expect the Beitz kid (who was a handful) and a receiver. They bring back everyone else, including quite a few kids who will be starting for their 4th season, and juniors who started as sophomores. I also like how they should be balanced on offense. Wapsie is Wapsie and I am in no way counting them out, but they do lose the Decker kid who was an all around stud, and I think a couple of lineman. I’m also interested to see if they are a little more pass first this year, but it would not surprise me to see them take the district. North Linn third, they do lose 5 or 6 really good football players, but they had enough youth play last year that I feel confident in putting them in third. East Buc in 4th, they were.really young last year overall, and had a couple of injuries early on that caused them to take some bump and bruises, but finished strong, although against the weakest part of their schedule. East Marshall is a drop down from a tough 1A district who might sneak into the playoffs, but they do need to find a QB and RB, and kind of learn how to win, they haven’t been good in a very long time, that’s why I put them in 5th. North Cedar really struggled last year, but didn’t graduate too many kids, and maybe a new coach will turn the tide. Midland is a 8 man force up, and they were not very good in 8 man. They do have a really good athlete in the Harrington kid, and to return a lot of kids that played but I don’t seem them doing very well this year.
District 5
Last Year’s Records
Pekin 8-2
Danville 5-4
Highland 4-4
Columbus 4-5
Wapello 2-7
New London 2-6 (8 man)
Van Buren 1-7
Predictions
- Pekin
- Danville
- Wapello
- Columbus
- Highland
- New London
- Van Buren
Reasoning: Overall, I think that this is the weakest district, but I won’t hold that against them. I took Pekin first just because their program seems to be the healthiest overall, they do lose the Adam kid that was their main offensive threat, but I think he has a younger brother, and I think they can find enough pieces to still win this district. I took Danville second, they do lose their QB and top pass catchers, but by the looks of it they return some athletes and most of their top tacklers, they seem to have it figured out since they brought back football a couple of years ago. I took Wapello third, they were competitive against Danville and Columbus last year, and return probably the most of any team in the district, so I think they will take a jump into the playoffs. Columbus forth, they lose the older Kaalberg kid and some solid (and big) lineman, but they do return some other athletes, and I think the coaching staff does a nice job with the team. Highland took a step forward last year, but they lose a lot of key seniors, so I don’t know if they will continue to rise. New London is an 8 man move up, who I am just honestly not sure about, I could see them doing better than this, but moving up tends to be tough on teams. Finally Van Buren really struggled last year and I don’t see anything that changes that for them.
District 6
Last Year’s Records
Madrid 9-3
Earlham 6-3
Lynnville Sully 5-4
North Mahaska 4-4
BGM 4-5 (8 man)
Colfax Mingo 1-7 (1A)
Martendale St Marys 0-8
Predictions
- Madrid
- Lynnville Sully
- Earlham
- BGM
- North Mahaska
- Colfax Mingo
- Martensdale St Marys
Reasoning: Even though Madrid lost the Wicker kid who was maybe the most important player for any team last year they bring back a lot, I do think that they may go through some growing pains without him, but my guess is that they might look a little different but still very good. For 2 and 3 it was close for me between Lynnville Sully and Earlham, Earlham actually beat Madrid last year, but Lynnville Sully brings back quite a bit, while Earlham has some holes to fill. I just think that both of those programs are in a much better spot than anyone below them. I put BGM in the four spot over North Mahaska mainly because of the Burns kid. He put up video game numbers last year. I am concerned about their ability to play defense, but not enough to drop them below the other teams. North Mahaska is the team that I think can contend for a playoff spot, but they lose a couple key pieces and will have a new coach, so I put them in 5th. Colfax Mingo really struggled in 1A last year, dropping down may help them, but I’m not sure how much, and finally Martensdale St. Marys also really struggled last year and I don’t think they improve that much.
District 7
Last Year’s Records
ACGC 10-1
Mount Ayr 7-3
Riverside 7-3
AHSTW 6-3 (1A)
Central Decatur 2-6
Southwest Valley 1-7
Nodaway Valley 0-8 (1A)
Predictions
- ACGC
- Riverside
- AHSTW
- Mount Ayr
- Central Decatur
- Southwest Valley
- Nodaway Valley
This is probably the other district that I think is very difficult to call. I am going with my gut feeling that ACGC has built the program to the point where they will reload and not have to rebuild. Plus the cupboard is not bare, they do have the Crawford kid back probably around ½ of their defense, and a few lineman, to me that is enough to still put them in the 1 spot. Riverside brings back a very good running back in the Gordon kid, and their QB, and a few lineman, my concern is losing their three top tacklers and pass catchers, I don’t think that they can get too one dimensional and beat ACGC. AHSTW is another team that I think could win this district dropping down from a solid 1A district and having a bunch of tradition, but they do have some holes to fill, and I hope whatever the issue was with the coaching staff was is resolved. I do see them in a clear top three finish however. Mount Ayr seems to be the best of the rest but a decent margin, they were solid last year, and tend to be every year, I do have some concerns about who they lost compared to the rest of the district, but I trust the program there. Central Decatur was up and down last year, but did win a few ball games so I think you have to put them with a chance at the post season, but I am not sure that the overall talent is there to move them up. Southwest Valley and Nodaway Valley both struggled last year, even though Nodaway Valley is a drop down, I took Southwest Valley because overall they were more competitive than Nodaway Valley.
District 8
Last Year’s Records
Woodbury Central 8-3
Lo-Ma 5-4
IKM-Manning 3-5
Akron Westfield 3-6
St. Albert 3-6
Westwood 3-6
West Monona 1-8
Preditions
- Woodbury Central
- Lo-Ma
- IKM-Manning
- St. Albert
- Akron Westfield
- Westwood
- West Monona
Reasoning: To me Woodbury Central is the clear favorite in district 8. Losing the Butler kid will he a tough kid to replace as he did a lot for them on both offense and defense, but I think the fact that they return their QB, 2 of the top 3 pass catchers, and quite a bit of their defense should mean that they take the district pretty easily. Plus I look at their results last year, they lost to the state champion, runner up, and Gehlen who they then beat in the playoffs, so that is quite impressive. Lo-Ma with a combination of being a solid program year in and year out and bringing back quite a bit as well, is my choice for 2nd place, and I really think that the gap between them and the rest is pretty big. IKM-Manning next because of how much the bring back and they are always competitive even in down years, but I will say that they haven’t been as good the last few years so we will see about this pick. Then for the final playoff spot I have St. Albert, I don’t know if they will ever get back to their dominate days, but they do seem to be in a better spot then a few years ago, I do wonder if they lose some players with breaking off that sharing agreement. AW seems to be in the best spot of the rest of the teams, but I could see Westwood passing them, but I just thought that AW brought back more. Finally, West Monona has really struggled for as long as I can remember so I don’t see any reason to move them up.
My Top 10
- West Hancock
- Saint Ansgar
- Maquoketa Valley
- Woodbury Central
- Madrid
- Wapsie
- ACGC
- MMCRU
- Riverside
- West Sioux
I put West Hancock in the 1 spot because until someone proves that they can take them down, I see no reason not to, I have ranked them lower before and they always seem to be there in the end. Saint Ansgar two, they have the tougher schedule between them and WH, but that may be an advantage come playoff time, I just think with what they bring back and the program tradition that they have they should be there. Maquoketa Valley was a quarterfinalist that brings back almost everyone. Woodbury Central is very similar to MV just losing a little bit more. Madrid has to replace their best player, but have a bunch coming back to like from a dome team. Wapsie is always there, and I think could be a dome team. ACGC has some holes to fill, but have been remarkably consistent over the last 5 or so years. MMCRU might finish higher, but I want to start them here and see how they do, because they tend to have a head scratcher throughout the season. Riverside has two really good skilled guys back, but loses some of their defense, and West Sioux is a drop down with a lot of tradition the last 10 or so years.
If my predictions are correct these would be my playoff pairings.
1s vs 4s (winner in bold)
MMCRU vs St. Albert
West Hancock vs North Butler
Saint Ansgar vs West Fork
Maquoketa Valley vs Columbus
Pekin vs East Buchanan
Madrid vs Mount Ayr
ACGC vs BGM
Woodbury Central vs Sioux Central
2s vs 3s (winner in bold)
West Sioux vs AHSTW
Newman vs South Winn
Nashua Plainfield vs Belmond Klemme
Wapsie Valley vs Wapello
Danville vs North Linn
Lynnville Sully vs IKM-Manning
Riverside vs Earlham
LoMa vs Sibley-Ocheyedan
PODS
West Hancock vs Sibley-Ocheyedan
ACGC vs Lynnville Sully
Saint Ansgar vs East Buchanan
Wapsie Valley vs Nashua Plainfield
Maquoketa Valley vs South Winn
Madrid vs North Linn
Woodbury Central vs West Sioux
MMCRU vs Riverside
