2018 Title Contenders

[Cheese2]

Who are the contenders in 3A this year? Xavier, WSR, Pella, and Solon appear to be teams that should be in the mix. Any other teams on the Western side of the state that could challenge?

 

[ronsss]

lewis central might be one of the upper tier 3a teams this year..they probably have the best qb in the state, all classes

 

[Drewolson24]

Will North Scott or Western Dubuque be any good since they’re dropping down to 3A?

 

[PNation]

Xavier and Lewis Central are co favorites to me.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

North Scott and Western Dubuque will most likely have good teams and good winning records, but the very top of 3A-- especially Xavier and Pella are just too tough and would be top ten 4A teams if they were in that group. Too much good football culture and tradition, talent and great coaching at those two schools (X & P). Somebody looked up the scores of the last 10 or 12 Xavier vs. 4A Dubuque Senior and Dubuque Hempstead games and Xavier won all by something like an average margin of almost 30 points. They are a juggernaut and it really doesn't matter which year or which players.

 

[Drewolson24]

North Scott and Western Dubuque will most likely have good teams and good winning records, but the very top of 3A-- especially Xavier and Pella are just too tough and would be top ten 4A teams if they were in that group. Too much good football culture and tradition, talent and great coaching at those two schools (X & P). Somebody looked up the scores of the last 10 or 12 Xavier vs. 4A Dubuque Senior and Dubuque Hempstead games and Xavier won all by something like an average margin of almost 30 points. They are a juggernaut and it really doesn't matter which year or which players.

How much do Xavier and Pella return? Not from around either school

 

[PNation]

Xavier actually returns a lot for their standards, most years they only return 2 or 3 starters as it is wait your turn there.

 

[fmclonefan]

Xavier is loaded and the defending champs. Definitely the favorites. Looking forward to seeing how the new teams to 3A do. Lewis Central and North Scott look to be very good. Could see LC coming out of the western part of the state. Just ready for some football to start!

 

[PNation]

Few teams that you are missing

SBL, they return most of their team from last year and I would say they are the favorite in NW Iowa.

West Delaware, quarterfinal isn’t that beat Waverly in the first round and bring back most of their key pieces.

Norwalk, another big 3A school that brings back quite a bit from last year.

 

[ronsss]

Xavier, Pella, Solon, North Scott, CBLC.

Xavier has several of their key positions returning (QB, RB, LB and a few OL).
Pella reloads.
Solon reloads - 2 of the best if not the best LB's in 3A.
North Scott - made 4A qrts and returns about half return. 2 losses were close, one to Assumption and one to Bett.
CBLC - made 4A qrts and returns the best QB in the state, not sure much else around him though.

Outsiders -

West Dub - 4A size school will have talent. were competitive in most of their games last year.
WS-R has probably the best DE in the state but not a whole lot else around him.
Harlan - reloads.
SCH - but I don't see them getting past CBLC

harlan is not reloading...they have allmost the same team back this year...like 9 and 9 starters on both sides of ball....i think they will be very good

 

[fmclonefan]

I don’t have Harlan’s line up from last year memorized, but seems like they had more seniors in the starting lineup last year than that. But, I could be wrong. Regardless, Foss is a huge loss. Almost the whole running game, a leading receiver, a top defender, and way over 50% of the scoring. Will be hard to replace.

 

[Schlemmer]

Lewis Central beat #3 WDM Valley last year in the playoffs (4A) and absolutely punished SBL Friday night by 28. Harlan used to be the circle on the calendar-those days are over. Could be an interesting year. LC does have more than Max Duggan btw.

 

[El_Doce]

Lewis Central beat #3 WDM Valley last year in the playoffs (4A) and absolutely punished SBL Friday night by 28. Harlan used to be the circle on the calendar-those days are over. Could be an interesting year. LC does have more than Max Duggan btw.

Last year's Valley team was not that stellar. Last year they gave up 28 points to Newton ( who just lost big to 2A PCM) and actually had to work to win late, so I am not sure I would claim domination in 3A just yet. SBL has been overrated IMO in the preseason and that showed up last Friday. I'm still thinking Harlan will give them a challenge. They only beat them last year by 10, and Harlan's QB was out, and I think last year's LC team is better than this year's. I think LC will be good, but not sure I'm ready to drink all of the koolaid just yet.

 

[PNation]

Newton lost everybody of importance from last year, comparing them playing Valley tough last year to getting beat badly by PCM isn't a fair one.

 

[El_Doce]

Newton lost everybody of importance from last year, comparing them playing Valley tough last year to getting beat badly by PCM isn't a fair one.

Agreed......thanks for making my point. I don't think any of us really can predict on any of these teams based on last year's results, Even if all 22 return, its a different year. You might have better chances with more returners, but I am skeptical of anybody putting any team in the dome after game 1, including the almighty Xavier. I would however, never look past Xavier or Harlan in a down year, they are coached well with very solid systems in place.

 

[Schlemmer]

Last Year's LC Team had some studs that will be greatly missed. No question last year's team beats this year's team however the drop in class ( from 4A to 3A) will offset the player's lost from last years team. LC is still the team to beat. Harlan lost their tailback who did just about everything for them last year ( Foss)-Coach Bladt has an incredible winning percentage for a reason- But they won't be the bully in a Western Iowa game with LC.