3A-D1: 2014 Edition

[nwiowahawkeyefan]

I do one of these topics every year for football and basketball. More often than not, I am talking to myself (which is okay). However, additions from others is VERY welcome. Don't hesitate, especially if you are a fan of one of the teams.

District realignment once again switches around this district. The district known as District 2 for the past couple years now returns to being called District 1.

Last year's district results:

1. Bishop Heelan, Sioux City (6-0, 13-0) - State Championship win 48-13 over Washington.
2. Carroll (5-1, 8-3) - 2nd Round Playoff loss to Harlan 18-21.
3. Spencer (4-2, 8-3) - 2nd Round Playoff loss to Heelan 10-28.
4. Le Mars (3-3, 3-7) - 1st Round Playoff loss to Harlan 14-20.
5. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2-4, 5-4)
6. Storm Lake (1-5, 2-7)
7. Denison-Schleswig (0-6, 1-8)

Last year's runner-up, Carroll, moves to a different district for this season. It was an enjoyable experience and you will be missed, Tigers!

Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley returns to this district after spending two years in class 2A where they went 10-2 a season ago and 11-1 the season before that. In fact, they also went 11-1 the season before that as a member of this district in Class 3A. They have gone a whopping 32-4 in the last three seasons -- woof!

Here is the schedule for the first week of the season:

Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City at Sioux City, East (ND) -- Thursday 8/28
Harlan at Denison-Schleswig (ND)
Lewis Central at Sergeant Bluff-Luton (ND)
MOC-Floyd Valley at LeMars (ND)
Spencer at Humboldt (ND)
Storm Lake at Emmetsburg (ND)
Western Christian, Hull at Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (ND)

A few headlines for the 2014 season:

1. Can Bishop Heelan repeat? They definitely have bigger foes to battle as Cedar Rapids Xavier and Davenport Assumption have joined class 3A. But can the Crusaders look ahead that far? The last time BHRV was in class 3A, they won the district over Heelan... Could that happen again?

2. How will BHRV deal with the return back to Class 3A? The Nighthawks enjoyed a fantastic two years in Class 2A (21-3 record), but they will be going up against more consistent competition in 2014. Can they match their last outing in 3A (11-1 record in 2011 Class 3A) or will they struggle against bigger competition?

3. Which Spencer team will we see? It's no secret -- for the last half of 2012 and for all of 2013 the Tigers were one of the hotter teams in the state. How will they deal with their graduation losses, though?

4. Can Le Mars overcome the loss of TeBrink? One of the best players in Bulldog history, and one of the more underrated players statewide a season ago, Levi TeBrink has gone on to Northwestern College and with him goes his 1710+ passing yards and 800+ rushing yards from 2013. The Dogs return a few key players but will that be enough to try to better a deceiving 3-7 mark?

5. Will SBL have a chip on their shoulder? Last season, SBL was just one play away from making playoffs. Despite the shocking loss, they still improved greatly from the season before. Will this continue on this season?

6. Can Storm Lake or Denison-Schleswig put something together?

I think it is safe to say, as it usually is, that Bishop Heelan is the league favorite. But I feel like spots 2-5 could go many different ways. In fact, I think spots 6 and 7 could be added into that mix. This season has a lot of question marks.. it should be a great one!

Anyone who has any information or insight that I do not have please feel free to contribute!

Good luck to everyone this season!

 

[NWIAFan19]

I see Heelan repeating as District champs, but not as easy as everyone might think. I see BHRV giving them fits, but the surprise of the District to me is going to be SBL. They have a very talented backfield coming back from last year, they could look very similar to what Spencer looked like last year. LeMars and Spencer with be battling it out for that last playoff spot with the edge going to LeMars. It should be an exciting year to see what some of these teams are made with all of the talent that graduated last year. Good luck to all!!

 

[nwiowahawkeyefan]

I'm a few weeks late in updating this, but I've been swamped.

Week 1 Scores:

Sioux City East 31 Bishop Heelan 21 (ND)
Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 32, Western Christian, Hull 21 (ND)
Emmetsburg 42, Storm Lake 7 (ND)
Harlan 45, Denison-Schleswig 14 (ND)
Humboldt 27, Spencer 0 (ND)
Lewis Central 35, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 28 (ND)
MOC-Floyd Valley 23, LeMars 21 (ND)

D1 went 1-6. Yikes. Granted, almost every team that the district lost to is/was ranked or receiving votes. Some blown leads by D1 teams as well.

Week 2 Scores:

Atlantic 25, Denison-Schleswig 20 (ND)
Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 19, Central Lyon/George Little Rock 7 (ND)
LeMars 20, Western Christian, Hull 14 (ND)
Sergeant Bluff-Luton 47, MOC-Floyd Valley 14 (ND)
Sioux Center 28, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 12 (ND)
Spencer 28, Emmetsburg 14 (ND)
Storm Lake 26, Cherokee, Washington 20 (ND)

D1 went 5-2. Much better.

Week 3 Scores:

Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 46, Denison-Schleswig 14
Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 20, Spencer 17 - OT
LeMars 45, Storm Lake 0
Sergeant Bluff-Luton 59, Sioux City, West 0 (ND)

The first week of district action saw no surprises and a very interesting, close game between two teams probably going to battle it out for playoff qualification.

District standings after three weeks:

1. Bishop Heelan (1-0, 2-1)
1. LeMars (1-0, 2-1)
1. Boyden Hull/Rock Valley (1-0, 2-1)
4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (0-0, 2-1)
5. Spencer (0-1, 1-2)
5. Storm Lake (0-1, 1-2)
7. Denison-Schleswig (0-1, 0-3)

Honestly, it looks like Bishop Heelan is definitely the favorite though I'm not sure if it's by as much as many thought coming into the season. Also, it's pretty clear that spots 1-5 should probably be very closely competed for... and then the final two spots are just embarrassingly bad.

Looking forward to this week:

Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley at Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Denison-Schleswig at Storm Lake
LeMars at Sioux Center (ND)
Spencer at Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City

I think this is probably the most exciting week of the entire season.

Boyden Hull/Rock Valley at Sergeant Bluff-Luton could potentially be the game that decides who gets second (or even first maybe) in the district.Spencer at Bishop Heelan also could decide a lot for the district.. and who could forget the upset from two years ago on Heelan's field? Should be a good one.Denison at Storm Lake could be the best 'terrible game' of the entire season. LeMars is probably going to struggle against a highly ranked Sioux Center squad in the non-district game of the week.