Cedar Rapids Gazette Sports: 1A Preseason Ranks

[Charles86]

The Cedar Rapids Gazette Sports just put their preseason rankings online today. Top 10 with other receiving votes are as follows:

1. West Sioux
2. Dike-New Hartford
3. Iowa City Regina
4. West Branch
5. Pella Christian
6. Cascade, Western Dubuque
7. Wilton
8. Bellevue
9. West Lyon
10. Aplington-Parkersburg

Others receiving votes: Emmetsburg 6, I-35 4, Western Christian 4, Denver 2, Van Meter 2, Dyersville Beckman 1, Sigourney-Keota 1, South Central Calhoun 1

Any surprises? Teams left off the top 10 that should be in? Are there teams that need to be flipped?

 

[GoEagles23]

District 4 has three teams in the top 8. Wow.

 

[Charles86]

District 4 has three teams in the top 8. Wow.

Should be some great games throughout the season from district 4. Whoever comes out on top will be battle tested for sure.

 

[rc1963]

Should be some great games throughout the season from district 4. Whoever comes out on top will be battle tested for sure.

plus one that got votes and is getting press buzz as a contender...

tough part is, if these guys beat each other up in district play, it's going to be tough for a second team to qualify for post season with the new RPI.

 

[rc1963]

The Cedar Rapids Gazette Sports just put their preseason rankings online today. Top 10 with other receiving votes are as follows:

1. West Sioux
2. Dike-New Hartford
3. Iowa City Regina
4. West Branch
5. Pella Christian
6. Cascade, Western Dubuque
7. Wilton
8. Bellevue
9. West Lyon
10. Aplington-Parkersburg

Others receiving votes: Emmetsburg 6, I-35 4, Western Christian 4, Denver 2, Van Meter 2, Dyersville Beckman 1, Sigourney-Keota 1, South Central Calhoun 1

Any surprises? Teams left off the top 10 that should be in? Are there teams that need to be flipped?

Interesting that the Gazette poll had no teams from District 2,8, or 9 although they did get votes. - The Register poll only snubbed district 9. It will be interesting to see this when they start district play.

 

[Bluejay89]

plus one that got votes and is getting press buzz as a contender...

tough part is, if these guys beat each other up in district play, it's going to be tough for a second team to qualify for post season with the new RPI.

The new playoff qualifying system stinks! It is terrible! It's going to be unfair to at least a couple of teams.

 

[Charles86]

The new playoff qualifying system stinks! It is terrible! It's going to be unfair to at least a couple of teams.

Especially with district 4 which has Bellevue, Cascade and West Branch. Will all 3 make it? If not, at least one quality team out of those gets left out. If all 3 made it, then that means one district only gets one team in which might mean someone is traveling a decent ways during that 1st round of playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds as the season goes on.

 

[Bluejay89]

Especially with district 4 which has Bellevue, Cascade and West Branch. Will all 3 make it? If not, at least one quality team out of those gets left out. If all 3 made it, then that means one district only gets one team in which might mean someone is traveling a decent ways during that 1st round of playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds as the season goes on.

If there is a 3-way tie in any district, it is going to knock someone deserving out. Whether it's 3 good teams or 3 average teams. A three way tie for the district championship will hurt other teams. So will two way ties since it will just reduce the number of slots available for high RPI teams. I am not a fan!

 

[GoEagles23]

The RPI mumbo jumbo is what is going to hurt teams. Stupid system

 

[Anonymous2002]

The Cedar Rapids Gazette Sports just put their preseason rankings online today. Top 10 with other receiving votes are as follows:

1. West Sioux
2. Dike-New Hartford
3. Iowa City Regina
4. West Branch
5. Pella Christian
6. Cascade, Western Dubuque
7. Wilton
8. Bellevue
9. West Lyon
10. Aplington-Parkersburg

Others receiving votes: Emmetsburg 6, I-35 4, Western Christian 4, Denver 2, Van Meter 2, Dyersville Beckman 1, Sigourney-Keota 1, South Central Calhoun 1

Any surprises? Teams left off the top 10 that should be in? Are there teams that need to be flipped?

Mediapolis is a team to watch for in the Wilton district. Mepo drops down from 2A, ate a traditional power and hosts the likes of Wilton and Sigourney. I say the winner if Mepo/Wilton gets the nod there!! Mepo is very big and physical

 

[Bluejay89]

Mediapolis is a team to watch for in the Wilton district. Mepo drops down from 2A, ate a traditional power and hosts the likes of Wilton and Sigourney. I say the winner if Mepo/Wilton gets the nod there!! Mepo is very big and physical

I agree about MEPO. However, I heard their top RB, who is also a very good track athlete, tore his ACL on the first day of practice. That is going to hurt.

 

[usfhawk]

District 1 will be solid as usual. 4 teams getting votes. New playoff system stinks for everyone.

 

[Charles86]

District 1 will be solid as usual. 4 teams getting votes. New playoff system stinks for everyone.

Who will be the favorite in that district? Also, how do you think West Lyon will look this year after losing so many seniors?

 

[usfhawk]

West Sioux returns a lot of great athletes including arguably the best QB in the class. They are the team to beat.

Western Christian is always solid and always finds new athletes to replace studs. They will be sold and athletic.

Emmetsburg is kind of a sleeper pick. They have been quietly improving over the last couple years and now have a great group of athletes to go along with the coaching staff.

West Lyon replaces a lot, but a lot of their younger guys played a lot of snaps last fall. There will be some growing pains, but West Lyon will have a shot if they improve every week.

 

[Charles86]

West Sioux returns a lot of great athletes including arguably the best QB in the class. They are the team to beat.

Western Christian is always solid and always finds new athletes to replace studs. They will be sold and athletic.

Emmetsburg is kind of a sleeper pick. They have been quietly improving over the last couple years and now have a great group of athletes to go along with the coaching staff.

West Lyon replaces a lot, but a lot of their younger guys played a lot of snaps last fall. There will be some growing pains, but West Lyon will have a shot if they improve every week.

Do you believe a team from this district will represent the western side in the state championship?

 

[GoEagles23]

If they consider Pella Christian a WESTERN team, it don't matter. They are the best team in the class in my opinion. Are gonna steam roll a lot of teams.

 

[Bluejay89]

If they consider Pella Christian a WESTERN team, it don't matter. They are the best team in the class in my opinion. Are gonna steam roll a lot of teams.

I don't know a ton about West Sioux but they appear to be a quality ball club who will contend for a title. I am a believer in Pella Christian and they will definitely be a tough out. I would expect Pella Christian to go East again.

 

[Charles86]

I don't know a ton about West Sioux but they appear to be a quality ball club who will contend for a title. I am a believer in Pella Christian and they will definitely be a tough out. I would expect Pella Christian to go East again.

The east side is heavy will teams in three preseason top 10 polls and just heavy on talent alone on that side. Out of all those schools, the western most school may go west for the playoffs like an Aplington-Parkersburg or DNH

 

[rc1963]

If they consider Pella Christian a WESTERN team, it don't matter. They are the best team in the class in my opinion. Are gonna steam roll a lot of teams.

PC is certainly one of the best on paper, and they have the history that shows they will consistently compete. This could be their year. Their returning players accounted for 44 TDs last year. That's a lot of experience getting the ball into the endzone. If they have a "weakness" it's that their top pass catcher is now their QB. That's a "problem" a lot of coaches would love to have. Oh and if defense wins championships, I peg them as the second best defense in the state. Add to that the intangibles that they always come ready to compete and are fast fast fast. Is it possible the regular season (barring injuries) could be wrapped up before we even start district play?

 

[rc1963]

Especially with district 4 which has Bellevue, Cascade and West Branch. Will all 3 make it? If not, at least one quality team out of those gets left out. If all 3 made it, then that means one district only gets one team in which might mean someone is traveling a decent ways during that 1st round of playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how that unfolds as the season goes on.

Actually it would mean 3 districts only get one. (9 district champions, 7 at large, if two of those come from D4 that leaves 5 to give from the remaining 8 districts.) Meanwhile someone's picking up RPI points for beating successful, but unranked western opponents.
BTW, do we know how playoff site selection will go? If there are 9 districts and 8 first round games, one district champion isn't getting a home game...

 

[Charles86]

PC is certainly one of the best on paper, and they have the history that shows they will consistently compete. This could be their year. Their returning players accounted for 44 TDs last year. That's a lot of experience getting the ball into the endzone. If they have a "weakness" it's that their top pass catcher is now their QB. That's a "problem" a lot of coaches would love to have. Oh and if defense wins championships, I peg them as the second best defense in the state. Add to that the intangibles that they always come ready to compete and are fast fast fast. Is it possible the regular season (barring injuries) could be wrapped up before we even start district play?

PC has always seemed like they’re fast and athletic. Would be a fun team to see play in the dome.

 

[Pinehawk]

Regina and Pella Christian played an incredible game last year in the Dome.

https://www.weareiowa.com/sports/lo...stian-missed-fg-ends-perfect-season/855901187

 

[Charles86]

Regina and Pella Christian played an incredible game last year in the Dome.

https://www.weareiowa.com/sports/lo...stian-missed-fg-ends-perfect-season/855901187

Yes that’s correct. I apologize I forgot about that. What a classic game that was and both of them have provided some great games in recent years. PC performed well on the semi final stage last year but fell just short. I expect that to be great motivation for them this year to go beyond and do something special.

 

[Iabeastmode]

Here’s the facts in 1A. You can all cry about District 4, but none of those teams are “deep” run playoff teams historically. West Branch cries if they are with Regina and cries when they aren’t. I guarantee not one of those teams will be in the semifinals this year. After the DNH vs Regina game they will send DNH west and Regina east. They will eventually meet back up in the finals. It’s a 2 Team race this year everybody else is playing for the semifinals.

 

[Bluejay89]

Pella Christian will have a say in this. Arguable whether they will go east or west. Whoever goes west will have a tough out against West Sioux. Plus other quality teams and there may be a sleeper out there somewhere. I agree that D4 may not have a deep contender but several solid teams.

 

[Charles86]

The last few years Pella Christian has gone on the east side, but it depends on how many teams from the east make it vs the west. They may get pushed over to the west side. I could see them going that way and playing team from district 8 in the first round.

 

[Charles86]

I am just excited to see how this season unfolds. There are going to be some great district races, and some awesome postseason matchups. Some really talented teams that could make it a very interesting season. Sept 7th Pella Christian @ Regina will be a great game.

 

[rc1963]

Here’s the facts in 1A. You can all cry about District 4, but none of those teams are “deep” run playoff teams historically. West Branch cries if they are with Regina and cries when they aren’t. I guarantee not one of those teams will be in the semifinals this year. After the DNH vs Regina game they will send DNH west and Regina east. They will eventually meet back up in the finals. It’s a 2 Team race this year everybody else is playing for the semifinals.

To my thinking it's not at all a two horse race, I think PC, Bellevue and WB are all hitting the season running with a bunch of experience. W Sioux will be interesting to see how they handle the move up in class, and we may not really see that until playoffs.

I'll be really interested in seeing what the landscape looks like after week 3.

 

[Charles86]

I am looking forward to seeing how the teams look and how they've fared after all of their non district games. Some of these top tier teams have very challenging non district schedules. I'm interested to see how it looks going into week 5.

 

[MepoDawg#]

I agree about MEPO. However, I heard their top RB, who is also a very good track athlete, tore his ACL on the first day of practice. That is going to hurt.

They return two good backs. The top returning back yards-wise played in the scrimmage last week, Osborne. Gourley didn’t, I’m guessing that’s who you’re referring to. I haven’t seen him wearing a brace or anything though.

 

[Bluejay89]

They return two good backs. The top returning back yards-wise played in the scrimmage last week, Osborne. Gourley didn’t, I’m guessing that’s who you’re referring to. I haven’t seen him wearing a brace or anything though.

That's good to hear. I hate to hear about injuries to kids. It's part of the game but it's too bad when it happens.

 

[GoEagles23]

I am just excited to see how this season unfolds. There are going to be some great district races, and some awesome postseason matchups. Some really talented teams that could make it a very interesting season. Sept 7th Pella Christian @ Regina will be a great game.

PC will beat them by 28+

 

[cidhawkeye]

PC will beat them by 28+

Is that the official line?

 

[Charles86]

Is that the official line?

I’m gonna say there’s no say that’s the line. Regina will take care of Anamosa this week and will be very dialed in for PC.

 

[Charles86]

PC will beat them by 28+

Still think PC will win by 28??

 

[usfhawk]

Rankings might look a little different this week!