Looking at SBL in district 1 they seem to be whooping everyone they play but only throw the ball a couple times a game. Can they win the whole thing being so one dimensional?
Class 3A
- Thread starter JB Football
- Start date
I think SBL is a good team, and they are in the same district as Heelan who made a run to the title game last year, but I really think that they would be 6th or 7th if there were betting odds for who is going to win the title. I think you have the WaMaC schools who are very solid, Wahlert, and Humboldt who are all ahead of SBL, I would also say Algona, but without their QB it will be tough.
I have to agree. They seem to have a good power run game going on this year. 400 yards against Heelan is impressive, but they aren't really built for smash mouth football. Their OLB is like 180lbs and just got crushed on the edge all night long. The big defenses who could match up with them this year seem to be all to the North Central or out East.
I would say that it's Williamsburg's title to lose at the moment. Especially being the defending champs. Rayce Heitman is unbelievable. I'm not sure there's anyone that can stop him. Solon even tried to bracket him and did a decent job by holding him to his lowest yardage of the year (55yds), but he still had 3 TDs. Even if you stop him, they just have so many weapons. Their only loss was to 4A Xavier 27-29 and it came down to the wire. They haven't scored less than 42 in any other game this season.
I think Humboldt, Wahlert, & Mt Vernon also have stout defenses who would make it tough on a team who doesn't pass. Mt Vernon gave Williamsburg all they could handle last year. And their only loss is to Solon 6-7 after throwing 3 interceptions in the redzone and missing a 2 pt conversion on a controversial call. I'd put my money on one of those two teams to win it all.
I would say that it's Williamsburg's title to lose at the moment. Especially being the defending champs. Rayce Heitman is unbelievable. I'm not sure there's anyone that can stop him. Solon even tried to bracket him and did a decent job by holding him to his lowest yardage of the year (55yds), but he still had 3 TDs. Even if you stop him, they just have so many weapons. Their only loss was to 4A Xavier 27-29 and it came down to the wire. They haven't scored less than 42 in any other game this season.
I think Humboldt, Wahlert, & Mt Vernon also have stout defenses who would make it tough on a team who doesn't pass. Mt Vernon gave Williamsburg all they could handle last year. And their only loss is to Solon 6-7 after throwing 3 interceptions in the redzone and missing a 2 pt conversion on a controversial call. I'd put my money on one of those two teams to win it all.
i watched the harlan vs sbl, their running game could not be stopped....i was impressed with them, and i believe they will go deep into the playoffs...i would be shocked if they dont..sbl have some road graders on that offensive line....their defense looked really good too
I stand corrected on Williamsburg. Benton dominated that game. They held Heitman to 60 some yards on 10 catches, and held their run game in check as well. Hats off to the Benton defense on a well played game.
The 4 pods will be matched up until the Dome. The 2 winners in each pod will play each other with the winner of that game going to CF. The 4 teams who make it will then be matched up by RPI seeding (Top vs Lowest, & two middle teams playing each other)
The 4 pods will be matched up until the Dome. The 2 winners in each pod will play each other with the winner of that game going to CF. The 4 teams who make it will then be matched up by RPI seeding (Top vs Lowest, & two middle teams playing each other)
Mt. Vernon in the same pod as Harlan? Wow, that would be a road trip for Harlan if they both were to win. Looks like Harlan and Carroll both will travel 3 hrs. for 1st game.
yea..mt vernon would be quite a trip......if they go by the pods...not sure how the boys in boone are doing this..but looks like each pod plays every team in the pod...they might have a neutral site for game halfway.. harlan vs algona will be a tough matchup for harlan
| POD A | POD C |
| Solon at Humboldt | Independence at Wahlert Catholic, Dubuque |
| POD B | POD D |
| Nevada at Sergeant Bluff-Luton | Mount Vernon at Algona |
| How much dome experience do these teams have? Solon and Mt Vernon have a lot i know but not the others. |
Harlan looked like a JV secondary trying to cover Slagle, & Limbaugh. And even worse trying to tackle Allie in the open field. The offense just couldn't move the ball at all against Algona's defense that at times lined up with the front 7 guys 4-5yds off the LOS. They finished with only 30 rushing yards. Algona is big up front with 3 solid weapons in the passing game. Algona might have the 2 fastest kids left in the playoffs in Weichert and Allie. They are definitely a different team without Alex Manske, but Nathan has done really well coming in as only a Sophomore at QB. They'll get a test this week with Mt Vernon's aggressive defense.
Mt Vernon absolutely dominated Carroll. They only had 20 rushing yards and 40 passing when Mt Vernon subbed in their JV defense with 2 min left to go in the game. That defense is unreal. They lead the state in TFLs and sacks and I'm really not sure which of their DL is the best. They also have an explosive offense with multiple weapons. It's too bad that Algona and MV have to match up before the Dome as I think these are 2 of the top 4 teams.
Solon took care of the rematch with Benton in large part to having Eddie Johnson back at RB as well as getting Maddox Kelley the ball in space. They also limited the passing game in key moments this time around much better than the previous matchup. They seem to be really banged up with multiple players injured, but they have definitely been battle tested over the last 2 years which will help them going forward.
Humboldt scratched out a win over Clear Lake for the 2nd time this year on a last second field goal after scoring all 13 points in the 4th quarter. They just find a way to win, which is an attribute that is hard to quantify, but needed as the number of teams still playing dwindles. Their defense is stout even though they don't necessarily intimidate you with size. They're just well coached and relentless. It'll be interesting to see how they try to contain Kelley and Johnson this week
Wahlert wiped the floor with Assumption this time around holding them to a measly 42 rushing yards and 36 passing, while having 11 different guys run the ball for 377 yards. They seem to be firing on all cylinders right now and will be a tough matchup for Indee.
Indee pulls off the come from behind victory scoring 21 points in the 4th quarter after being down 14-0 to Williamsburg. They were helped by 3 Hocker interceptions and 12 Williamsburg penalties in what seems to be the complete implosion of defending state champ Williamsburg over these last 2 weeks in back to back losses to Benton and now Indee.
SBL is a powerhouse run team, but there are so one dimensional, I fear that they will struggle against any team with a potent offense or a stout D Line. (Algona, Wahlert, & MV come to mind). They can't afford to get in a shootout. But seeing how they handled Harlan who beat Nevada a few weeks ago, it might not matter this week.
Nevada is the one school I haven't seen any film on yet, but seems to be riding the running strength of Eaton as far as he can carry them while splashing in just enough passes to keep the defense honest. When they do throw they're effective at it. It'll be interesting to see which of these two power run teams can impose their will and grind out a trip to Cedar Falls.
My picks for the Dome would be SBL, MV, Solon, & Wahlert to come out with victories this week.
Mt Vernon absolutely dominated Carroll. They only had 20 rushing yards and 40 passing when Mt Vernon subbed in their JV defense with 2 min left to go in the game. That defense is unreal. They lead the state in TFLs and sacks and I'm really not sure which of their DL is the best. They also have an explosive offense with multiple weapons. It's too bad that Algona and MV have to match up before the Dome as I think these are 2 of the top 4 teams.
Solon took care of the rematch with Benton in large part to having Eddie Johnson back at RB as well as getting Maddox Kelley the ball in space. They also limited the passing game in key moments this time around much better than the previous matchup. They seem to be really banged up with multiple players injured, but they have definitely been battle tested over the last 2 years which will help them going forward.
Humboldt scratched out a win over Clear Lake for the 2nd time this year on a last second field goal after scoring all 13 points in the 4th quarter. They just find a way to win, which is an attribute that is hard to quantify, but needed as the number of teams still playing dwindles. Their defense is stout even though they don't necessarily intimidate you with size. They're just well coached and relentless. It'll be interesting to see how they try to contain Kelley and Johnson this week
Wahlert wiped the floor with Assumption this time around holding them to a measly 42 rushing yards and 36 passing, while having 11 different guys run the ball for 377 yards. They seem to be firing on all cylinders right now and will be a tough matchup for Indee.
Indee pulls off the come from behind victory scoring 21 points in the 4th quarter after being down 14-0 to Williamsburg. They were helped by 3 Hocker interceptions and 12 Williamsburg penalties in what seems to be the complete implosion of defending state champ Williamsburg over these last 2 weeks in back to back losses to Benton and now Indee.
SBL is a powerhouse run team, but there are so one dimensional, I fear that they will struggle against any team with a potent offense or a stout D Line. (Algona, Wahlert, & MV come to mind). They can't afford to get in a shootout. But seeing how they handled Harlan who beat Nevada a few weeks ago, it might not matter this week.
Nevada is the one school I haven't seen any film on yet, but seems to be riding the running strength of Eaton as far as he can carry them while splashing in just enough passes to keep the defense honest. When they do throw they're effective at it. It'll be interesting to see which of these two power run teams can impose their will and grind out a trip to Cedar Falls.
My picks for the Dome would be SBL, MV, Solon, & Wahlert to come out with victories this week.
harlan looked like a jv against sbl and algona...sort of looks like 3a-6 district was fairly weak this year , maybe one of the weaker districts in the state...harlan lose,s their offensive coridnator mark korhorst, he was at harlan for 20 yrs, he will be missed, was very good ..mark is retiring.
What is the logic of having the 2 11-0 teams (SBL and Wahlert) play in the round of 4? In both Varsity Bound and BCMoore's rankings this is #1 vs #3.
The pairings for the semifinals are based on the IAHSAA RPI rankings at the end of the regular season. 1v5 (Humboldt/MV), 2v3 (SBL/Wahlert). Record only accounts for 37.5% of the RPI rating. The rest comes from strength of schedule.
SBL and Humboldt really dominated last week, i still think it will be SBL and Mt. Vernon in finals.
i watched algona and sbl play harlan, they looked like identical twins..they both had dominate running games..and good defenses.....
some really good teams in the finals.....i think 4a got to be happy they are not in 4a like before, would cause 4a some isuues
my thoughts its going to be humbolt vs sbl...........anyone can win it out of these 4 semi finalist
some really good teams in the finals.....i think 4a got to be happy they are not in 4a like before, would cause 4a some isuues
my thoughts its going to be humbolt vs sbl...........anyone can win it out of these 4 semi finalist
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All along, after Algona lost their starting QB , I thought the toughest teams were SBL, Humboldt, Mt. Vernon and Dubuque Wahlert. Wahlert was always No. in the defense rankings, and only one point from the top in offensive rankings. They had multiple three-year starters, and the best kicker in #3A. They were the only 3A team that held all opponents on the average below 9 points a game. The decisive game was Wahlert's one point win over SBL, with two outstanding defensive plays in the final minutes. Against Humboldt in the finals, after a 7- 7 tie in the first quarter, Wahlert's defense and offense completely overpowered Humboldt 42-7 the rest of the game. They also tied the highest score by a 3A team in a championship 3A game ever. When I saw Humboldt's Coen Madsen (sp?) in the semifinals, I thought he was one of the best quarterbacks I had seen this year, with his sidearm left-hand rocket- throw to a quartet of talented receivers. The Golden Eagles on Friday won their first state football championship in the 65-year history of the school. They have come close four previous times in the semifinals, losing to Bettendorf three times when they were in 4A, and Bett had Tavian Banks for two of those. The other semifinal loss was two years ago to Williamsburg, and we all know what a powerhouse that team was. Congrats to all the teams that played in the Dome. I said previous;y that 3A was the most balanced class at the top, and it turned out that way. All the players and coaches who made the playoffs have good reason to be proud of their accomplishments.
eastiowahawk, great info, heading into the playoffs, i kept hearing how good mt vernon was...and they were good...congrats to wahlert, they were very good team.....i dont like the way ihnss did the pay per view...., sucked. i liked it better to pay $5.96 to watch one game....only good thing was the finals were free
The IHSAA Iowa High School Athletic Association final All- Class football rankings are out and the top seven are 1. North Polk, 2. Dubuque Wahlert, 3. West Lyon, 4. SE Polk, 5. WDM Dowling, 6. WDM Valley and Grundy Center. I think next was Iowa City Liberty, and Sergeant Bluff Luten was pretty high. Maybe somebody can post the whole list. Really hard to do these ratings when some Class 5A lines average about 260 a man and could just roll a smaller school's line. On the other hand, all you have to do is look at Iowa or Iowa State's rosters and realize there are a couple dozen really good players from small Iowa schools. Talent is talent, and sometimes it gathers in places the average person wouldn't predict. And some of the best coaches in Iowa history were at small Iowa programs.
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