Lets gets some FB talk going. Who enters this upcoming season as a Top 10 Team and why do you feel that way?
4A Top 10 Teams upcoming season and why you feel that way?
- Thread starter westside rules
- Start date
1. Dowling - Until someone beats them.
2. Centennial - best homegrown talent in the state.
3. Waukee - will definitely have a say in who the best is in 2017.
4. Iowa City West - best of the east.
2. Centennial - best homegrown talent in the state.
3. Waukee - will definitely have a say in who the best is in 2017.
4. Iowa City West - best of the east.
I think Cedar Falls may have a bounce back year and could be the best team in the east. Had a good amount of young guys playing last year. Iowa City West lost some good skill players and I don't know what to make of any of the CR teams especially with James moving to Linn Mar.
1. Dowling Catholic
At least 3 Power Five recruits on the roster thus far. The inclusion of out-of-state athletes should be terrifying to the rest of the state.
2. Iowa City West
Returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers from last season. Also returning their starting QB and playmakers at RB and WR.
3. Ankeny Centennial
Returns their quarterback, top rusher, top tackler, top defensive back and athlete Ryan Van Baale. Best team not named Dowling Catholic in the west.
4. Waukee
A team that might have one of the best defenses in the state with 5 kids that had at least 30 tackles and their leader in interceptions. Also returning primary playmakers in the backfield and on the perimeter. QB play will be the deciding factor on whether Waukee can truly compete with #1 and #3.
5. West Des Moines Valley
Losing quite a bit from last year, but still returning playmakers in Jevon Mason and receiver Tariq Brown. Also doesn't hurt to be replacing Rocky with Beau. Returning almost nothing on defense.
6. Cedar Rapids Washington
The Warriors are losing quite a bit, including their head coach. However, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. Assuming Maurice Blue is their new head coach, they should be just fine.
7. Johnston
The Dragons are returning quite a bit, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They've definitely got a shot at the dome if they win District 1 over Waukee.
8. Bettendorf
They're getting in the Top 10 just based out of pedigree. They've been falling off as of late and I don't foresee the Bulldogs making a break past the quarterfinals again this season.
9. Lewis Central
I still don't know how they lost to CBTJ last season. They've got quite a bit returning this season, including an All-State QB.
10. Ankeny
Rick Nelson's crew will go as far as Drew Hill can take them.
"Others Receiving Votes"
Southeast Polk
They've got another Starcevich coming up the pike and a star freshman that ran for over 800 yards. Need to bust out of their slump against Top Tier competition. Haven't beaten a CIML suburban team since Centennial on September 18th, 2015.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Returning everything in the backfield. They've got a shot at being the best team in Cedar Rapids this upcoming fall.
Ames
Returning Joe Evans at QB, their top running back, and top receiver. Scoring points shouldn't be an issue for the Little Cyclones. However, stopping teams like Dowling Catholic and Centennial will be crucial if they want to compete for a playoff spot and crack the top 10.
Des Moines Lincoln
In regards to being a Top 10 team after Week 9, this is certainly a sleeper team. The Railsplitters return Will McElvain, who not only is one of the best QBs in the state, he's already shattering school records with another season to go. The Rails also return all four starters at receiver and all five offensive linemen on a team that finished with a winning record last season. Lincoln has the talent this season to be incredibly competitive with anyone.....as long as they have the ball.
Prairie, Cedar Rapids
Returning a kid that split time at QB and a playmaker on the perimeter. Mark Bliss has done a very nice job with CRP, but will have a daunting task this fall after having a phenomenal season in 2016.
At least 3 Power Five recruits on the roster thus far. The inclusion of out-of-state athletes should be terrifying to the rest of the state.
2. Iowa City West
Returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers from last season. Also returning their starting QB and playmakers at RB and WR.
3. Ankeny Centennial
Returns their quarterback, top rusher, top tackler, top defensive back and athlete Ryan Van Baale. Best team not named Dowling Catholic in the west.
4. Waukee
A team that might have one of the best defenses in the state with 5 kids that had at least 30 tackles and their leader in interceptions. Also returning primary playmakers in the backfield and on the perimeter. QB play will be the deciding factor on whether Waukee can truly compete with #1 and #3.
5. West Des Moines Valley
Losing quite a bit from last year, but still returning playmakers in Jevon Mason and receiver Tariq Brown. Also doesn't hurt to be replacing Rocky with Beau. Returning almost nothing on defense.
6. Cedar Rapids Washington
The Warriors are losing quite a bit, including their head coach. However, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. Assuming Maurice Blue is their new head coach, they should be just fine.
7. Johnston
The Dragons are returning quite a bit, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They've definitely got a shot at the dome if they win District 1 over Waukee.
8. Bettendorf
They're getting in the Top 10 just based out of pedigree. They've been falling off as of late and I don't foresee the Bulldogs making a break past the quarterfinals again this season.
9. Lewis Central
I still don't know how they lost to CBTJ last season. They've got quite a bit returning this season, including an All-State QB.
10. Ankeny
Rick Nelson's crew will go as far as Drew Hill can take them.
"Others Receiving Votes"
Southeast Polk
They've got another Starcevich coming up the pike and a star freshman that ran for over 800 yards. Need to bust out of their slump against Top Tier competition. Haven't beaten a CIML suburban team since Centennial on September 18th, 2015.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Returning everything in the backfield. They've got a shot at being the best team in Cedar Rapids this upcoming fall.
Ames
Returning Joe Evans at QB, their top running back, and top receiver. Scoring points shouldn't be an issue for the Little Cyclones. However, stopping teams like Dowling Catholic and Centennial will be crucial if they want to compete for a playoff spot and crack the top 10.
Des Moines Lincoln
In regards to being a Top 10 team after Week 9, this is certainly a sleeper team. The Railsplitters return Will McElvain, who not only is one of the best QBs in the state, he's already shattering school records with another season to go. The Rails also return all four starters at receiver and all five offensive linemen on a team that finished with a winning record last season. Lincoln has the talent this season to be incredibly competitive with anyone.....as long as they have the ball.
Prairie, Cedar Rapids
Returning a kid that split time at QB and a playmaker on the perimeter. Mark Bliss has done a very nice job with CRP, but will have a daunting task this fall after having a phenomenal season in 2016.
I had another thread similar to this, here is what I have
1. Dowling
2. Centennial
3. Iowa City West
4. Valley
5. CR Kennedy
6. Lewis Central
7. Waukee
8. Ames
9. Southeast Polk
10. Bettendorf
Very west side strong in these rankings which I think is fair, considering their recent dominance over the east side. Dowling at 1 because until someone knocks them off I don't see any reason to move them, Centennial seems to bring back some nice pieces for #2, West brings back quite a bit, but lose two really good players, Valley brings back some nice pieces but also lost some big contributors and will be interesting to see how they recover. Kennedy returns almost everyone off of a very young team last year. Lewis Central might have the best QB in the state the next two years. Waukee next with the depth that they will have, Ames returns a lot from an average team, SEP was young last year, and Bett rounds out the top 10 because of program respect.
1. Dowling
2. Centennial
3. Iowa City West
4. Valley
5. CR Kennedy
6. Lewis Central
7. Waukee
8. Ames
9. Southeast Polk
10. Bettendorf
Very west side strong in these rankings which I think is fair, considering their recent dominance over the east side. Dowling at 1 because until someone knocks them off I don't see any reason to move them, Centennial seems to bring back some nice pieces for #2, West brings back quite a bit, but lose two really good players, Valley brings back some nice pieces but also lost some big contributors and will be interesting to see how they recover. Kennedy returns almost everyone off of a very young team last year. Lewis Central might have the best QB in the state the next two years. Waukee next with the depth that they will have, Ames returns a lot from an average team, SEP was young last year, and Bett rounds out the top 10 because of program respect.
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