Here is my third outlook for the 2025 season, I think that Class 1A has a couple of clear favorites, but after the top few it gets pretty open. 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.
District 1
Last Year’s Records
West Lyon 13-0 (2A)
Hinton 10-2
Ridge View 6-3
MVAOCOU 5-4
Alta Aurelia 2-6 (A)
Lawton Bronson 0-9
Prediction
- West Lyon
- Ridge View
- Hinton
- MVAOCOU
- Lawton Bronson
- Alta Aurelia
Reasoning: To me West Lyon is a big favorite in this very tough district. They do lose some important pieces from last year, but also return a lot from a team that had its way with 2A last year. Ridge View and Hinton are close in my eyes, and clearly the next two teams. I took Ridge View because of returning a little more, or more so Hinton losing their QB, and Ridge View actually won the matchup late year. I have MVAOCOU the last team in the playoffs after a 5-4 season, but I think there is a big gap between them and the third place team. Lawton Bronson could find its way into the playoffs but they haven’t been able to figure things out for a while now. I don’t expect much out of Alta Aurelia after moving up from class A.
District 2
Last Year’s Records
Emmetsburg 8-2
Manson NW Webster 8-2
South Hamilton 5-5
South Central Calhoun 4-5 (A)
East Sac County 3-6
Pocahontas Area 1-7
Prediction
- Emmetsburg
- South Hamilton
- South Central Calhoun
- Manson NW Webster
- East Sac County
- Pocahontas Area
Reasoning: I will say that this is the district that is maybe the hardest to make a prediction on. I am pretty confident on the four teams that should make the playoffs, but after that it is a toss up. I took Emmetsburg to win just because overall they seem to have the most back, but kind of stumbled late in the season last year. South Hamilton has been strong for a while, but has more question marks then Emmetsburg. SCC is moving up from A, and does have some pieces to build around, but they struggled with consistency last year, and moving up could affect them. Then Manson MW Webster pulled out the district last year, but had many key seniors to replace. I just don’t East Sac or Pocahontas improving enough to finish in the top 4 this year.
District 3
Last Year’s Records
Grundy Center 13-0
South Hardin 9-2
Central Springs 3-5
Garner Hayfield Ventura 2-7 (2A)
Clarion Goldfield Dows 2-7 (2A)
Eagle Grove 1-8
Prediction
- Grundy Center
- South Hardin
- Central Springs
- Garner Hayfield Ventrua
- Clarion Goldfield Dows
- Eagle Grove
Reasoning: This is a district of the top two then everyone else. Until someone takes down Grundy, I am not going to pick against them. Now I will say I think that South Hardin is a top 5 team this year, but Grundy Center always seems to just reload and continue to dominate, and they do have around half of their starters back. South Hardin does have a few holes to fill, but I think overall what they bring back from a quarterfinal team makes them very strong. Central Spring next because they beat GHV, and were loaded with Juniors and Seniors. They just don’t have much tradtion to rely on. GHV beat CGD and both teams bring back about the same amount, but I could see either team taking the final playoff spot. Then Eagle Grove has improved as a program over the last few year, but the struggle to beat quality teams.
District 4
Last Year’s Records
Sumner Fredricksburg 7-4
Hudson 5-4
Jesup 4-5 (2A)
Union 3-6 (2A)
Aplington Parkersburg 2-7
Columbus Catholic 1-7
Prediction
- Aplington Parkersburg
- Sumner Fredricksburg
- Columbus Catholic
- Jesup
- Hudson
- Union
Reasoning: This is another district that I think could go many different ways, and really it could just be a lot of mediocrity. I took AP because they were super young last year and I am hoping that if they have a permanent coach, who I think will be pretty solid they will take back off. Sumner Fred lost a lot from last years team. However, I think they are very well coached and always seem to improve through the year. I’m taking a bit of a flyer on Columbus. They were also super young last year, and I do think that the coaching staff there is pretty solid, I could look foolish with this pick though. Jesup in 4, they do lose their two or three best players, and did struggle when they were hurt last year, but I think that those growing pains will help them this year. Hudson is a team that I think could finish anywhere. They lose maybe the most of any team, and struggled when some of their players got in trouble last year, but they do have a coach with a state title so they will always be competitive. Finally, Union they played a lot of seniors last year, and while they finished in the playoffs, they truthfully struggled in a weak 2A district. Maybe they will be improved but I don’t think I see it.
District 5
Last Year’s Records
Lisbon 10-1 (A)
MFL MarMac 7-3
Northeast 7-2 (2A)
Beckman 6-3
Cascade 3-5
Camanche 1-7 (2A)
Prediction
- Beckman
- Lisbon
- Cascade
- MFL MarMac
- Northeast
- Camanche
Reasoning: This is another district that could go a couple of different ways. I took Beckman, because while they do lose their QB and RB, they also return quite a few athletes, and part of their lines. I took Lisbon second, although I do think that they lost quite a bit, and their record the last few years has been inflated by a poor schedule, they have a winning tradition, and the cupboard isn’t bare. Cascade I put in third but I do think they could sneak into second, my concern is with their depth. They have talent, but only around 20 kids out the last few years. MFL is a team I didn’t know what to do with. They have been really good for 5-7 years, but appear on paper to maybe be in for a rebuilding year. I could be wrong about that and maybe they challenge for the district. Northeast started 7-0 before two tough losses to end the season, but they lose their do it all QB, and most of their defense. Camanche struggled last year, and I could see them being competitive but not really moving up any higher.
District 6
Last Year’s Records
Regina 9-2
Sigourney Keota 7-2
Durant 3-6
Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont 2-7
Louisa Muscatine 0-8 (A)
Cardinal 0-8
Prediction
- Regina
- Sigourney Keota
- Durant
- Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont
- Cardinal
- Louisa Muscatine
Reasoning: Regina had a successful season last year finishing in the quarterfinals despite being quite young, with what they return I don’t see anyone in the district really challenging them. SK to me is still the clear #2, they do lose probably more than anyone in the district, but I think with the way that they have their program built up they should handle the teams below them. I think both Durant and EBF could be pretty solid, both were very young last year, and had some success throughout the season. I think that both could be above .500, and depending on who they get paired with maybe be a tough game for someone in the playoffs. Cardinal and Louisa Muscatine both struggled last year, but LM’s struggles were way worse, they weren’t competitive in any games even against teams that were bad themselves.
District 7
Last Year’s Records
West Marshall 7-3 (2A)
Pleasantville 6-3
West Central Valley 4-4
Interstate 35 3-6
Ogden 2-7
Panorama 1-7
Prediction
- Pleasantville
- West Marshall
- West Central Valley
- Interstate 35
- Ogden
- Panorama
Reasoning: Pleasantville played a lot of sophomores on a team that finished at 6-3. I expect them to continue to grow and should be a top 10 type of team in the state. West Marshall lost quite a bit, but they are an established program, and I don’t see them falling too far. West Central Valley had some success last year, and return quite a bit. I had someone from the area tell me that where they are located they could be a school to eventually look out for in athletics as more and more people move there to work in the Des Moines area. I took I35 as the last playoff qualifier, but I think all 3 of the teams could finish in that 4th spot, I35 has had the most success recently is why I took them, Ogden was very sporadic last year and snuck into the playoffs, and Panorama struggled, and also look like they have some holes to fill.
District 8
Last Year’s Records
Tri Center 12-1 (A)
Treynor 8-2
Underwood 6-5
Shenandoah 3-6
Red Oak 2-7
Missouri Valley 0-9
Prediction
- Treynor
- Underwood
- Tri-Center
- Shenandoah
- Red Oak
- Missouri Valley
Reasoning: I think there are three very good teams in this district that could win it. I took Treynor at #1 just because I think what they return overall is more than the other two, they have to replace their QB which the other two don’t, but bring back more overall. Underwood second because they kept getting better as the season went on last year, and while they do have some holes to fill they have reloaded for the most part the last 5-6 years. Tri-Center also returns a QB that really grew throughout the season, but they lose the Kunze kid who was a stud, and quite a bit on their line, I don’t know how much the move up to 1A will hurt them as they played a pretty tough schedule last year winning a title, but that could be a factor as well. I took Shenandoah to round out the playoff teams as I think they have been the most consistent of the remaining 3 teams, but Red Oak and Missouri Valley could sneak in there as well.
My Top 10
- West Lyon
- Grundy Center
- Regina
- South Hardin
- Treynor
- Ridge View
- Beckman
- Underwood
- Pleasantville
- Tri-Center
Reasoning: To me West Lyon and Grundy are Co-Favorites, I gave West Lyon the nod as the 2A drop down. Grundy has had quite the run though and I wouldn’t bet against them either. I am not sure however they have played a team like West Lyon in their run. Regina is just behind with what they bring back from a quarterfinal team. I like South Hardin and what they have coming back as well, but I don’t see them over Grundy in their own district, but I do think the state could still give them a top 4 ranking. 5-10 to me is a toss up, it is kind of a combination of teams that are always there, and teams that bring back talent. I thik the winner of that SW district will be a tough out in the playoffs, I liked Treynor the most so I have them at 5th. Ridge View out of the tough NW Iowa district, who has a very solid coach in 6th. Beckman really improved last year in the second year under their coach, and I think that continues. Underwood is always there. Pleasantville brings back a ton from last year. Finally Tri-Center being a defending champ I think deserves a mention, but they will need to find a lineman to get back to that level. Honestly, I don’t think that 1A has great depth this year, which means that there aren’t too many contenders, but a lot of teams could contend within their own district.
If my predictions are correct these would be my playoff pairings.
1s vs 4s (winner in bold)
West Lyon vs Manson NW Webster
Emmetsburg vs GHV
Grundy Center vs EBF
Aplington Parkersburg vs MFL MarMac
Beckman vs Jesup
Regina vs I35
Pleasantville vs Shenandoah
Treynor vs MVAOCOU
2s vs 3s (winner in bold)
Ridge View vs SCC
South Hamilton vs West Central Valley
South Hardin vs Columbus
Sumner Fredericksburg vs Central Springs
Lisbon vs Durant
Sigourney Keota vs
Cascade
West Marshall vs
Tri Center
Underwood vs. Hinton
Pods
West Lyon vs Underwood
Emmetsburg vs Ridge View
Grundy Center vs Lisbon
Beckman vs Sumner Fredericksburg
Regina vs Cascade
Pleasantville vs South Hamilton
Aplington Pakersburg vs South Hardin
Treynor vs Tri Center
