Here is my outlook for 2A. Like always these are just to try and get some conversations going. I think 2A will still be dominated by the western part of the state, with the eastern districts possibly being a little more wide open.
District 1
Last Year’s Records
CL/GLR 6-4
Western Christian 6-4
Cherokee Washington 6-3
Unity Christian 2-6
Sheldon 2-6
BH/RV 1-8 (3A)
Prediction
Reasoning: This is traditionally a very tough district, West Lyon going down will make it a little easier, but I still think there are 5 teams fighting for 4 spots. I took CL/GLR first because they probably had the most success last year of the teams, and return a nice core. They were kind of in a rebuild last year after a state title. Cherokee probably has the best core returning, but I guess I just trust them less then CL/GLR even though they did beat CL/GLR last year. Both of those teams could make a nice run if they get a decent path. I took Unity Christian over Western Christian just on the fact that Western has so much to replace, but I do trust Western’s coaching staff to have them ready so they could easily move up. Unity does have a nice core back and should be in the playoffs. BH/RV has struggled the last couple of years but moving down to 2A might help them, and they were young. Sheldon has really struggled as a program the last 10 years, and I don’t see them fixing that this year.
District 2
Last Year’s Records
Spirit Lake 11-2
Kuemper 9-2
OABCIG 7-3
Okoboji 6-3
Southeast Valley 3-5
Estherville Lincoln Central 1-7
Prediction
Reasoning: I went back and forth on this district, and if anyone wants to argue I can’t see it. I went with OABCIG, because I think they probably have a plan on what they want to do this year more than anyone else. Dejean will probably move into the QB spot, and they had a strong junior and sophomore class to go with it. Kuemper brings back the skilled guys, but not so much up front or on defense, so if they can build those areas up they could be very solid. Spirit Lake loses almost everyone, but I would suspect that the kids that will be taking those spots will be solid, I could see them finishing anywhere honestly. Southeast Valley was young, and they have been solid through the years, I see them being ahead of Okoboji who had a nice season, but probably being in a weaker district last year helped that. Finally, ELC had a nice stretch, but doesn’t seem to have the talent right now to finish higher.
District 3
Last Year’s Records
North Fayette Valley 9-2
Osage 6-4
Crestwood 4-6
Forest City 4-5
Waukon 3-6
New Hampton 2-7
Prediction
Reasoning: Outside of Osage, I am not confident in my picks for this district, to me I see a lot of mediocrity after Osage. Osage when healthy last year was maybe the best team in the district, if they can stay healthy they could go pretty far in the playoffs, the Street kid is a stud. I took Crestwood second, as they return a few pieces, and always seem to be well coached. NFV lost basically everything, but I think they have rebuilt their program after a few down years, and I don’t seem them falling off to far. Waukon hasn’t been the title winning program they were 5 years ago, but they always seem to be big and strong, my guess is that they sneek into the 4 spot. New Hampton might finish in the top 4, but they seemed to struggle to find an identity last year, and without that they will struggle again. Finally Forest City was decent last year, but they don’t return much and I think they were coming from a weaker district outside of Spirit Lake.
District 4
Last Year’s Records
Dike New Hartford 11-2 (1A)
Roland Story 6-3
Hampton Dumont CAL (3A)
Denver 2-6 (1A)
Oelwein 0-8
Vinton Shellsburg 0-9
Prediction
Reasoning: This district is home to two teams that had successful seasons last year, and four that really struggled. I took Roland Story over Dike just based on the fact that 95% of DNH’s starters were seniors, but it would not surprise me if DNH still wins the district as year in and out they just reload. I think those two will be 1,2 in some order. I took Hampton Dumont next as they are a program that did find some success the last two seasons in 3A, but just played in a meat grinder district, and they do return enough pieces as well. I could see them moving higher, but trust the other two programs more. Denver really struggled last year, some of that was due to youth, but that doesn’t mean they bring back everything either. I just think they are the best of the rest. Finally, I took Vinton Shellsburg over Oelwein because Vinton was able to finish the season last year whereas Oelwein was not.
District 5
Last Year’s Records
Anamosa 9-2
Bellevue 7-3 (A)
Alburnett 5-4 (1A)
West Branch 3-7 (1A)
Monticello 2-7
Tipton 3-5
Prediction
Reasoning: I think this is a case of the teams that are moving up actually played a stronger schedule then the teams that were in 2A last year. 2A in the eastern part of the state wasn’t very strong last year. I am taking Alburnett first as they relied on a lot of underclassmen last year, playing in a district with 2 of the top teams in 1A. They do have a few holes to fill, but I have heard that the classes they have coming are very strong in a growing district. West Branch I have a two, and this is dependent on the coaching staff being more connected then is sounds like it was last year. They do have quite a few kids that played last year, and I think there is talent there. Bellevue is a tough one, they bumped up two classes because of taking on Maquette, and I’m guessing that they don’t get too many kids from that. But they have probably the best passing game in the district, if they can hold up on the line they could finish even higher. Anamosa won the district last year, but relied a ton on the Scranton kid, he does have a brother and other kids returning, but that is a big loss for them. Monticello is a tough one to figure out, they do have some talent back, but they also really struggled last year, and I don’t know what they have coming. Finally, Tipton beat up on some bad teams, but overall had a poor season, without much coming back.
District 6
Last Year’s Records
Wilton 10-2 (1A)
West Burlington 8-2
Mid Prairie 7-4
Mediapolis 5-5
Central Lee 4-4
West Liberty 3-6
Prediction
Reasoning: Another district that could go a few different ways, no team stands out in this district, and I don’t think any team other than maybe Central Lee is going to struggle. I went with Wilton on top as a team that made the dome last year in 1A, and while they do move up, and have a lot to replace, I think with what they have coming back, and the tradition they have of being solid year in and year out, they are who I am going to go with. Mediapolis needs to replace some of their offensive skilled spots, but return over half of their defense, and just like Wilton tend to be a team that is solid year in and year out. Mid Prairie is similar to the other two, always solid, maybe not a title contender though. I’m mot concerned about their offense, as they lose their top back and most of their line. West Liberty always seems to have an up and down season, but also always has a few athletes. West Burlington is the team I don’t know what to do with, they have enough back on both sides of the ball but they were so reliant on their top back last year that I am scared to put them any higher. Finally, Central Lee probably beat every team that they should but struggled against any real competition, and with losing a large senior class, I think that they will struggle.
District 7
Last Year’s Records
PCM 11-1
Albia 4-5
Centerville 4-5
Pella Christian 3-6 (1A)
Davis County 3-5
South Tama 0-9 (3A)
Prediction
Reasoning: I am pretty sure that PCM and where they are at as a program should win this district, even if they don’t bring back much, but after that, there are a ton of what I view as weak teams, that I am not exactly sure what to do with. I went with Centerville in second as they played a bunch of freshmen, and snuck into the playoffs, it was out of a weak district, but they still did it. Pella Christian really had a down year, but if you look at their program over time, I think they are a safe bet to find their way into the playoffs. South Tama might be a bit of a stretch for the 4th spot, they have only won 8 games the last 8 years, but they were overall pretty young last year, and they schedule they played last year in 3A, I am not sure if any of the teams in this district other than PCM would have won a game with. Albia and Davis County return about the same amount and Albia handled them pretty easily so I will take them in the 5 spot.
District 8
Last Year’s Records
Van Meter 10-2
Woodward Granger 8-2 (1A)
Clarinda 6-3
Grandview Christian 5-4 (1A)
Chariton 5-4
Clarke 0-8
Prediction
Reasoning: Until someone even comes close to challenging Van Meter in district they will be my pick to win their district, I don’t think it is even that close with their ability to reload year after year. Woodward Granger and Clarinda are close, I think that WG brings back a little more production then Clarinda, and even though they are moving up from 1A, I think that it can be argued that outside of Van Meter they played the tougher schedule. Clarinda is a clear number three in my eyes. The last playoff spot could be close between Grandview Christian and Chariton, I think that GVC brings back a little more, although I think either team is capable of winning that game. Clarke had things improved for a few years there, but have fallen back to their old ways last year.
Top 10
Reasoning: To me 2A is a tough class to figure out, I don’t see a team that I think will be dominate, but there are always teams that seem to rise to the occasion. I went with CL/GLR 1st because of their championship pedigree and they were pretty young last year. Van Meter is always there, and I don’t see that changing any time soon, they’ve made the dome 10 straight years. I think OABCIG takes a step forward with the youth they had last year, and over the last decade they have been pretty consistent. I think Osage it the best team on the eastern side of the state, but the power in 2A should stay in the west side. Kuemper and PCM both might step back a little bit from last year, but I think both can make it a couple rounds deep in the playoffs. Roland Story and DNH I think will fight it out in district, and with out much depth of talent across the state, are top 10 teams. Alburnett was young and I see that as a growing program, although I do know they struggle to keep coaches with unrealistic expectations. Finally, I think Cherokee could be way better than this, but until they prove they can do something in the playoffs I will keep them here.
If my predictions are correct these would be my playoff pairings.
1s vs 4s (winner in bold)
CL/GLR vs Southeast Valley
OABCIG vs Western Christian
Osage vs Denver
Roland Story vs Grand View Christian
Alburnett vs Waukon
Wilton vs Anamosa
PCM vs West Liberty
Van Meter vs South Tama
Cherokee vs Spirit Lake
Kuemper vs Unity Christian
Crestwood vs Hampton Dumont CAL
DNH vs NFV
West Branch vs Mid Prairie
Mediapolis vs Bellevue
Centerville vs Clarinda
Woodward Granger vs Pella Christian
Pods
CL/GLR vs Kuemper
Roland Story vs Woodward Granger
Van Meter vs Centerville
Wilton vs West Branch
OABCIG vs Cherokee
PCM vs DNH
Osage vs Hampton Dumont CAL
Alburnett vs Mediapolis
District 1
Last Year’s Records
CL/GLR 6-4
Western Christian 6-4
Cherokee Washington 6-3
Unity Christian 2-6
Sheldon 2-6
BH/RV 1-8 (3A)
Prediction
- CL/GLR
- Cherokee Washington
- Unity Christian
- Western Christian
- BH/RV
- Sheldon
Reasoning: This is traditionally a very tough district, West Lyon going down will make it a little easier, but I still think there are 5 teams fighting for 4 spots. I took CL/GLR first because they probably had the most success last year of the teams, and return a nice core. They were kind of in a rebuild last year after a state title. Cherokee probably has the best core returning, but I guess I just trust them less then CL/GLR even though they did beat CL/GLR last year. Both of those teams could make a nice run if they get a decent path. I took Unity Christian over Western Christian just on the fact that Western has so much to replace, but I do trust Western’s coaching staff to have them ready so they could easily move up. Unity does have a nice core back and should be in the playoffs. BH/RV has struggled the last couple of years but moving down to 2A might help them, and they were young. Sheldon has really struggled as a program the last 10 years, and I don’t see them fixing that this year.
District 2
Last Year’s Records
Spirit Lake 11-2
Kuemper 9-2
OABCIG 7-3
Okoboji 6-3
Southeast Valley 3-5
Estherville Lincoln Central 1-7
Prediction
- OABCIG
- Kuemper
- Spirit Lake
- Southeast Valley
- Okoboji
- ELC
Reasoning: I went back and forth on this district, and if anyone wants to argue I can’t see it. I went with OABCIG, because I think they probably have a plan on what they want to do this year more than anyone else. Dejean will probably move into the QB spot, and they had a strong junior and sophomore class to go with it. Kuemper brings back the skilled guys, but not so much up front or on defense, so if they can build those areas up they could be very solid. Spirit Lake loses almost everyone, but I would suspect that the kids that will be taking those spots will be solid, I could see them finishing anywhere honestly. Southeast Valley was young, and they have been solid through the years, I see them being ahead of Okoboji who had a nice season, but probably being in a weaker district last year helped that. Finally, ELC had a nice stretch, but doesn’t seem to have the talent right now to finish higher.
District 3
Last Year’s Records
North Fayette Valley 9-2
Osage 6-4
Crestwood 4-6
Forest City 4-5
Waukon 3-6
New Hampton 2-7
Prediction
- Osage
- Crestwood
- NFV
- Waukon
- New Hampton
- Forest City
Reasoning: Outside of Osage, I am not confident in my picks for this district, to me I see a lot of mediocrity after Osage. Osage when healthy last year was maybe the best team in the district, if they can stay healthy they could go pretty far in the playoffs, the Street kid is a stud. I took Crestwood second, as they return a few pieces, and always seem to be well coached. NFV lost basically everything, but I think they have rebuilt their program after a few down years, and I don’t seem them falling off to far. Waukon hasn’t been the title winning program they were 5 years ago, but they always seem to be big and strong, my guess is that they sneek into the 4 spot. New Hampton might finish in the top 4, but they seemed to struggle to find an identity last year, and without that they will struggle again. Finally Forest City was decent last year, but they don’t return much and I think they were coming from a weaker district outside of Spirit Lake.
District 4
Last Year’s Records
Dike New Hartford 11-2 (1A)
Roland Story 6-3
Hampton Dumont CAL (3A)
Denver 2-6 (1A)
Oelwein 0-8
Vinton Shellsburg 0-9
Prediction
- Roland Story
- DNH
- HD CAL
- Denver
- Vinton Shellsburg
- Oelwein
Reasoning: This district is home to two teams that had successful seasons last year, and four that really struggled. I took Roland Story over Dike just based on the fact that 95% of DNH’s starters were seniors, but it would not surprise me if DNH still wins the district as year in and out they just reload. I think those two will be 1,2 in some order. I took Hampton Dumont next as they are a program that did find some success the last two seasons in 3A, but just played in a meat grinder district, and they do return enough pieces as well. I could see them moving higher, but trust the other two programs more. Denver really struggled last year, some of that was due to youth, but that doesn’t mean they bring back everything either. I just think they are the best of the rest. Finally, I took Vinton Shellsburg over Oelwein because Vinton was able to finish the season last year whereas Oelwein was not.
District 5
Last Year’s Records
Anamosa 9-2
Bellevue 7-3 (A)
Alburnett 5-4 (1A)
West Branch 3-7 (1A)
Monticello 2-7
Tipton 3-5
Prediction
- Alburnett
- West Branch
- Bellevue
- Anamosa
- Monticello
- Tipton
Reasoning: I think this is a case of the teams that are moving up actually played a stronger schedule then the teams that were in 2A last year. 2A in the eastern part of the state wasn’t very strong last year. I am taking Alburnett first as they relied on a lot of underclassmen last year, playing in a district with 2 of the top teams in 1A. They do have a few holes to fill, but I have heard that the classes they have coming are very strong in a growing district. West Branch I have a two, and this is dependent on the coaching staff being more connected then is sounds like it was last year. They do have quite a few kids that played last year, and I think there is talent there. Bellevue is a tough one, they bumped up two classes because of taking on Maquette, and I’m guessing that they don’t get too many kids from that. But they have probably the best passing game in the district, if they can hold up on the line they could finish even higher. Anamosa won the district last year, but relied a ton on the Scranton kid, he does have a brother and other kids returning, but that is a big loss for them. Monticello is a tough one to figure out, they do have some talent back, but they also really struggled last year, and I don’t know what they have coming. Finally, Tipton beat up on some bad teams, but overall had a poor season, without much coming back.
District 6
Last Year’s Records
Wilton 10-2 (1A)
West Burlington 8-2
Mid Prairie 7-4
Mediapolis 5-5
Central Lee 4-4
West Liberty 3-6
Prediction
- Wilton
- Mediapolis
- Mid Prairie
- West Liberty
- West Burlington
- Central Lee
Reasoning: Another district that could go a few different ways, no team stands out in this district, and I don’t think any team other than maybe Central Lee is going to struggle. I went with Wilton on top as a team that made the dome last year in 1A, and while they do move up, and have a lot to replace, I think with what they have coming back, and the tradition they have of being solid year in and year out, they are who I am going to go with. Mediapolis needs to replace some of their offensive skilled spots, but return over half of their defense, and just like Wilton tend to be a team that is solid year in and year out. Mid Prairie is similar to the other two, always solid, maybe not a title contender though. I’m mot concerned about their offense, as they lose their top back and most of their line. West Liberty always seems to have an up and down season, but also always has a few athletes. West Burlington is the team I don’t know what to do with, they have enough back on both sides of the ball but they were so reliant on their top back last year that I am scared to put them any higher. Finally, Central Lee probably beat every team that they should but struggled against any real competition, and with losing a large senior class, I think that they will struggle.
District 7
Last Year’s Records
PCM 11-1
Albia 4-5
Centerville 4-5
Pella Christian 3-6 (1A)
Davis County 3-5
South Tama 0-9 (3A)
Prediction
- PCM
- Centerville
- Pella Christian
- South Tama
- Albia
- Davis County
Reasoning: I am pretty sure that PCM and where they are at as a program should win this district, even if they don’t bring back much, but after that, there are a ton of what I view as weak teams, that I am not exactly sure what to do with. I went with Centerville in second as they played a bunch of freshmen, and snuck into the playoffs, it was out of a weak district, but they still did it. Pella Christian really had a down year, but if you look at their program over time, I think they are a safe bet to find their way into the playoffs. South Tama might be a bit of a stretch for the 4th spot, they have only won 8 games the last 8 years, but they were overall pretty young last year, and they schedule they played last year in 3A, I am not sure if any of the teams in this district other than PCM would have won a game with. Albia and Davis County return about the same amount and Albia handled them pretty easily so I will take them in the 5 spot.
District 8
Last Year’s Records
Van Meter 10-2
Woodward Granger 8-2 (1A)
Clarinda 6-3
Grandview Christian 5-4 (1A)
Chariton 5-4
Clarke 0-8
Prediction
- Van Meter
- Woodward Granger
- Clarinda
- Grandview Christian
- Chariton
- Clarke
Reasoning: Until someone even comes close to challenging Van Meter in district they will be my pick to win their district, I don’t think it is even that close with their ability to reload year after year. Woodward Granger and Clarinda are close, I think that WG brings back a little more production then Clarinda, and even though they are moving up from 1A, I think that it can be argued that outside of Van Meter they played the tougher schedule. Clarinda is a clear number three in my eyes. The last playoff spot could be close between Grandview Christian and Chariton, I think that GVC brings back a little more, although I think either team is capable of winning that game. Clarke had things improved for a few years there, but have fallen back to their old ways last year.
Top 10
- CL/GLR
- Van Meter
- OABCIG
- Osage
- Kuemper
- PCM
- Roland Story
- Alburnett
- DNH
- Cherokee
Reasoning: To me 2A is a tough class to figure out, I don’t see a team that I think will be dominate, but there are always teams that seem to rise to the occasion. I went with CL/GLR 1st because of their championship pedigree and they were pretty young last year. Van Meter is always there, and I don’t see that changing any time soon, they’ve made the dome 10 straight years. I think OABCIG takes a step forward with the youth they had last year, and over the last decade they have been pretty consistent. I think Osage it the best team on the eastern side of the state, but the power in 2A should stay in the west side. Kuemper and PCM both might step back a little bit from last year, but I think both can make it a couple rounds deep in the playoffs. Roland Story and DNH I think will fight it out in district, and with out much depth of talent across the state, are top 10 teams. Alburnett was young and I see that as a growing program, although I do know they struggle to keep coaches with unrealistic expectations. Finally, I think Cherokee could be way better than this, but until they prove they can do something in the playoffs I will keep them here.
If my predictions are correct these would be my playoff pairings.
1s vs 4s (winner in bold)
CL/GLR vs Southeast Valley
OABCIG vs Western Christian
Osage vs Denver
Roland Story vs Grand View Christian
Alburnett vs Waukon
Wilton vs Anamosa
PCM vs West Liberty
Van Meter vs South Tama
Cherokee vs Spirit Lake
Kuemper vs Unity Christian
Crestwood vs Hampton Dumont CAL
DNH vs NFV
West Branch vs Mid Prairie
Mediapolis vs Bellevue
Centerville vs Clarinda
Woodward Granger vs Pella Christian
Pods
CL/GLR vs Kuemper
Roland Story vs Woodward Granger
Van Meter vs Centerville
Wilton vs West Branch
OABCIG vs Cherokee
PCM vs DNH
Osage vs Hampton Dumont CAL
Alburnett vs Mediapolis
