Norwalk was ranked #2 in the state prior to the substate brackets coming out. Norwalk was also chosen to host one of the substates. Not entirely sure how they make it all work out, but this has to have an effect on the state's choice.
Does strength of schedule comes into play? All losses for Norwalk by 1 goal. Beat Waukee, Urbandale, played Johnston/Kennedy close. Last year Norwalk was 12-7 going into the tournament and made it to the finals. Does the state view them as title contenders?
As far as I know, the Pella match result would have had no effect on the brackets.
DCG while plying well and building a solid in count fails to challenge into the 3A class until late in the season. Does this hurt them?
Same for Pella...outside week 1 tournament, their schedule is relatively weak up until the substate bracket release. Lots of wins against teams where the Dutch scored more then 5 goals. Sometimes into double digits. Strength of schedule come into play again?
Not making it into a pissing match by anymeans, but Norwalk has also been to the dance 7 of the last 8 years and run across DCG/Pella/ADM/Knoxville in their substates frequently.
I feel as if Hudson/Wahlert's success has warranted them a "favorable" bracket as well. These being the top 3 ranked teams at the time the brackets were released.
This being said, it's not perfect and never is.
I remember back in the late 90's/early 2000s when Waukee, Pella, and Norwalk all had to play each other to get to state when they were all arguably among the top 3 teams over those years. Frustrating as well because Pella/Waukee brought the title home several times.