3A has probably the most heralded players in the state in Born and Foster, and I think 3A is the most interesting class this year. Let me go through the substates, starting with #1.
Substate 1- I'd go with Carroll over MOC, SB- Luten, LeMars and Spencer. Former #1.
Substate 2- Very balanced substate, with Algona, Ballard and Clear Lake vying for state. An upset winner could prevail, but I'll go with Algona on a whim.
Substate 3- Probably not the strongest substate, but I like Marion over CPU, Charles City, Decorah and maybe Waverly.
Substate 4- The Valley of the Damned. Six decent teams, with #1 Mt. Vernon being the favorite over Central DeWitt, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Dubuque Wahlert, Benton Community and West Delaware. This substate has the current #1 team and three others that have played in the 3A state championship game a total of five times since 2014, winning four times.
Substate 5- Davenport Assumption, previously the #1 team in 3A, over Clear Creek-Amana, unless some team from a bunch of underperforming teams this year gets hot. Lots of good teams, just not this year. Huge upset if it's not Assumption.
Substate 6- Lots of talent and big names but they are all chasing Pella this year, I think.
Substate 7- A real tough substate, so Norwalk, my pick, is not a walk-in. Gilbert, Dallas Center-Grimes and ADM all could cause trouble.
Substate 8- Another substate with a surplus of strong teams in Winterset, Harlan, Glenwood and Denison-Schleswig. An upset winner could come out of here, but I'll go with Glenwood, the state champ two years ago.