Nashua beat both North Tama and South Winn. South Winn beat North Tama.
Winner of Wapsie/Nashua game will be district champ. Loser will be second. South Winn will be third. North Tama will be fourth.
Class A Season Outlook
- Thread starter PNation
- Start date
Winner of Wapsie/Nashua game will be district champ. Loser will be second. South Winn will be third. North Tama will be fourth.
District 1
1. Gehlen
2. MMC-RU
3. Sibley-Ocheyedan
4. HMS
I don't believe there is any way that this isn't the way the district finishes.
District 2
1. West Hancock
2. Saint Ansgar
3. Newman
4. Lake Mills
Even though Newman lost to North Union, they will be the #3 and Lake Mills the #4
District 3
1. Wapsie
2. Nashua Plainfield
3. South Winn
4. North Tama
District 4
1. Maquoketa Valley
2. North Linn
3. Bellevue
4. Starmont
Maquoketa Valley is the district champ, North Linn vs Bellevue winner is 2nd and Starmont is 4th.
District 5
1. Lisbon
2. Pekin
3. Columbus
4. Danville
The top are set, Columbus vs Danville for 3/4 I'll take Columbus is that one. No changes in these predictions.
District 6
1. Madrid
2. Mount Ayr
3. Lynnville Sully
4. Wayne
These are set
District 7
1. AC/CG
2. Riverside
3. Earlham
4. SCC
It is actually Earlham vs SCC for 3/4 now
District 8
1. Tri Center
2. Woodbury Central
3. LoMa
4. St. Albert
St. Albert vs Westwood for the 4th and final spot this week, I believe the final 3 are set unless Kingsley Pierson beats Tri Center, which could move the St. Albert vs Westwood winner to #3 and St. Albert to #4 based on points.
Matchup Predictions
Gehlen vs SCC
West Hanock vs HMS
Wapsie Valley vs Starmont
Maquoketa Valley vs Danville
Lisbon vs North Tama
Madrid vs Lake Mills
AC/GC vs St. Albert
Tri Center vs Wayne
MMC-RU vs Newman
Saint Ansgar vs South Winn
Nashua Plainfield vs Bellevue
North Linn vs Columbus
Pekin vs Lynnville Sully
Mount Ayr vs Earlham
Riverside vs LoMa
Woodbury Central vs Sibley-Ocheyedan
Predicted top 4 after next week
1 West Hancock
2. AC/GC
3. Saint Ansgar
4. Lisbon
My new predicted pods would be
West Hancock vs MMC-RU
Gehlen vs RIverside
AC/GC vs Woodbury Central
Tri Center vs Earlham
Saint Ansgar vs Wapsie Valley
Madrid vs Nashua Plainfield
Lisbon vs Linn
Maquoketa Valley vs Pekin
1. Gehlen
2. MMC-RU
3. Sibley-Ocheyedan
4. HMS
I don't believe there is any way that this isn't the way the district finishes.
District 2
1. West Hancock
2. Saint Ansgar
3. Newman
4. Lake Mills
Even though Newman lost to North Union, they will be the #3 and Lake Mills the #4
District 3
1. Wapsie
2. Nashua Plainfield
3. South Winn
4. North Tama
District 4
1. Maquoketa Valley
2. North Linn
3. Bellevue
4. Starmont
Maquoketa Valley is the district champ, North Linn vs Bellevue winner is 2nd and Starmont is 4th.
District 5
1. Lisbon
2. Pekin
3. Columbus
4. Danville
The top are set, Columbus vs Danville for 3/4 I'll take Columbus is that one. No changes in these predictions.
District 6
1. Madrid
2. Mount Ayr
3. Lynnville Sully
4. Wayne
These are set
District 7
1. AC/CG
2. Riverside
3. Earlham
4. SCC
It is actually Earlham vs SCC for 3/4 now
District 8
1. Tri Center
2. Woodbury Central
3. LoMa
4. St. Albert
St. Albert vs Westwood for the 4th and final spot this week, I believe the final 3 are set unless Kingsley Pierson beats Tri Center, which could move the St. Albert vs Westwood winner to #3 and St. Albert to #4 based on points.
Matchup Predictions
Gehlen vs SCC
West Hanock vs HMS
Wapsie Valley vs Starmont
Maquoketa Valley vs Danville
Lisbon vs North Tama
Madrid vs Lake Mills
AC/GC vs St. Albert
Tri Center vs Wayne
MMC-RU vs Newman
Saint Ansgar vs South Winn
Nashua Plainfield vs Bellevue
North Linn vs Columbus
Pekin vs Lynnville Sully
Mount Ayr vs Earlham
Riverside vs LoMa
Woodbury Central vs Sibley-Ocheyedan
Predicted top 4 after next week
1 West Hancock
2. AC/GC
3. Saint Ansgar
4. Lisbon
My new predicted pods would be
West Hancock vs MMC-RU
Gehlen vs RIverside
AC/GC vs Woodbury Central
Tri Center vs Earlham
Saint Ansgar vs Wapsie Valley
Madrid vs Nashua Plainfield
Lisbon vs Linn
Maquoketa Valley vs Pekin
Last edited:
Current Rankings
1. West Hancock
2. AC/GC
3. Saint Ansgar
4. Lisbon
5. Tri Center
6. Gehlen
7. Maquoketa Valley
8. Pekin
9. Riverside
10. North Linn
So if all of these teams won out, taking rankings and geography into account. I think we would get pairings like this for the second round.
West Hancock vs MMC-RU
Gehlen vs Riverside
AC/GC vs Woodbury Central
Tri Center vs Earlham
Saint Ansgar vs Wapsie Valley
Madrid vs Pekin
Lisbon vs North Linn
Maquoketa Valley vs Nashua Plainfield
This is of course assuming that these are the teams. Gehlen is kind of an island and being #6 I think that the state would send them to the #1 if it is the closest. AC/GC vs Tri Center would be 2 vs 5 and again geographically it makes sense. Saint Ansgar is probably going to have to go to Wapsie in the second round, I see Wapsie as the weakest district champ in the area, and then get the winner of Madrid Pekin where Pekin is #8 and Madrid is currently unranked. It is a long haul, but Maq Valley is ranked ahead of Pekin and Madrid so I think they would get paired with Lisbon, and Madrid and Maq Valley essentially would have the same travel time to get to Saint Ansgar, Pekin would be a haul.
1. West Hancock
2. AC/GC
3. Saint Ansgar
4. Lisbon
5. Tri Center
6. Gehlen
7. Maquoketa Valley
8. Pekin
9. Riverside
10. North Linn
So if all of these teams won out, taking rankings and geography into account. I think we would get pairings like this for the second round.
West Hancock vs MMC-RU
Gehlen vs Riverside
AC/GC vs Woodbury Central
Tri Center vs Earlham
Saint Ansgar vs Wapsie Valley
Madrid vs Pekin
Lisbon vs North Linn
Maquoketa Valley vs Nashua Plainfield
This is of course assuming that these are the teams. Gehlen is kind of an island and being #6 I think that the state would send them to the #1 if it is the closest. AC/GC vs Tri Center would be 2 vs 5 and again geographically it makes sense. Saint Ansgar is probably going to have to go to Wapsie in the second round, I see Wapsie as the weakest district champ in the area, and then get the winner of Madrid Pekin where Pekin is #8 and Madrid is currently unranked. It is a long haul, but Maq Valley is ranked ahead of Pekin and Madrid so I think they would get paired with Lisbon, and Madrid and Maq Valley essentially would have the same travel time to get to Saint Ansgar, Pekin would be a haul.
Western / SW Iowa Class A is so superior as a grouping compared to the rest of the state.
Playoff Podcast Episode. We are West Hancock guys. Jay and Kevin are the voices of Eagle football and I am the podcast/history/stats guy. BCMoore is the legend we all know. We are WH homers and will always pick WH. But.....we try to provide info and insights on the whole class as best we can with the little free time we have! Enjoy!!!
My rd of 16 Pods
St Ansgar vs Madrid
Pekin vs Maq Valley
Bellevue vs Wapsie Valley
Nashua vs Lisbon
I think on the Eastern side of the state based on 1st rd pairings the pods will be.
St Ansgar vs Madrid
Pekin vs Maq Valley
Bellevue vs Wapsie Valley
Nashua vs Lisbon
I really think we need to see the rankings that they put out today before we make any guesses, especially who they see as better between Madrid and Wapsie, both might be unranked, but if one is ranked or one is ranked higher, my guess is that the lower one plays Saint Ansgar in the second round.
I honestly think that if Madrid is sent east which based on the teams in the playoffs is likely they are the second best team on the east side behind St Ansgar, but someone has to play SA in the second rd and no matter what #1 it is they dont want that matchup same as West Hancock last year as a #2. I am just not sold on Lisbon as that district is not very good and Yes I know Pekin is ranked also from that district but again they and Lisbon beat the crap out of the other teams in that district and the two teams that Lisbon and Pekin played in non district Cardinal and Durant were a combined 1 - 15 so you see my skepticism on Lisbon and this district. Maq Valley and Wapsie Valley I think are very similar Wapsie playing a little tougher sched but not by much. If they split up Madrid and SA on the east side I think those are the two teams if Not then its SA and a draw out of the hat.
I agree with you on that SE Iowa District being very weak. Honestly, if you look at all classes of football SE Iowa tends to be the weakest. I am not sure how sold I am on Madrid though either. The lost to Woodward Granger and Earlham which I see both as good but not great teams, and their district I would say is down overall.
bcmoorerankings:
step 1: regression analysis (based on game margin)
step 2: apply analysis to reduce the effect of non-competitive games
I fixed a mistake in the program that was inhibiting step 2.
* This mistake was programmed in the off-season and through a very subtle set of circumstances only showed up now.
* Reports on 10/19 and 10/20 displayed the effects of this error.
(for what its worth)
Thanks to all of the players and coaches for another super season.
step 1: regression analysis (based on game margin)
step 2: apply analysis to reduce the effect of non-competitive games
I fixed a mistake in the program that was inhibiting step 2.
* This mistake was programmed in the off-season and through a very subtle set of circumstances only showed up now.
* Reports on 10/19 and 10/20 displayed the effects of this error.
(for what its worth)
Thanks to all of the players and coaches for another super season.
Here is what I see for 1st round predictions and then matchups
Then these are how I would rank the remaining teams, the top 10 are the states, then that's how I have the remaining 6, I know that Earlham beat Madrid, but they also have a loss since then. I also think the bottom 3 are essentially the same.
1. West Hancock
2. ACGC
3. Saint Ansgar
4. Lisbon
5. Tri-Center
6. Gehlen
7. Maquoketa Valley
8. Pekin
9. Riverside
10. Woodbury Central
11. Madrid
12. Wapsie
13. Earlham
14. MMCRU
15. Nashua Plainfield
16. Bellevue
So taking into both rankings and geography these would be my pods.
West Hancock vs Nashua Plainfield
Gehlen vs Woodbury Central
ACGC vs MMCRU
Tri Center vs Riverside
Saint Ansgar vs Wapsie Valley
Madrid vs Pekin
Lisbon vs Bellevue
Maquoketa Valley vs Earlham
Here is my thought process
1. Top 4 seeds separated, I believe that is a rule they will follow
2. 2 district champs in each pod
3. The top 2 non district champs (Saint Ansgar and Pekin) get the lowest two non top 10 district champs, because district champs get to host second round
4. Put 2 from the top 8 in each pod, with some geography included
5. Tried to put 1 with the lowest team possible, then 2 with the next lowest possible and so on, remembering that district champs wouldn't play each other.
6. I separated 1 and 2 seed from the same district from playing, I don't think that is a rule this year as in years past, but I still did it.
7. The two I struggled with were where to send Earlham and Nashua Plainfield, especially Earlham. I think that they are a clearly better team so I sent them to Maquoketa Valley which is a longer trip, Sending them to West Hancock and NP to MV makes more sense travel wise, but I went with the seeds.
4th Place at 1st Place
- Wayne at ACGC- ACGC
- St. Albert, Council Bluffs vs. Gehlen Catholic, LeMars, at Akron-Westfield- Gehlen
- Starmont at Lisbon -Lisbon
- North Tama at Madrid- Madrid
- Columbus Community at Maquoketa Valley- Maquoketa Valley
- South Central Calhoun at Tri-Center- Tri Center
- Lake Mills at Wapsie Valley- Wapsie
- Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn at West Hancock- West Hancock
3rd Place at 2nd Place
- Danville at Bellevue- Bellevue
- Logan-Magnolia at MMCRU- MMCRU
- Earlham at Mount Ayr- Earlham
- Newman Catholic, Mason City at Nashua-Plainfield- Nashua Plainfield
- North Linn at Pekin- Pekin
- Lynnville-Sully at Riverside, Oakland- Riverside
- South Winneshiek at Saint Ansgar- Saint Ansgar
- Sibley-Ocheyedan at Woodbury Central- Woodbury Central
Then these are how I would rank the remaining teams, the top 10 are the states, then that's how I have the remaining 6, I know that Earlham beat Madrid, but they also have a loss since then. I also think the bottom 3 are essentially the same.
1. West Hancock
2. ACGC
3. Saint Ansgar
4. Lisbon
5. Tri-Center
6. Gehlen
7. Maquoketa Valley
8. Pekin
9. Riverside
10. Woodbury Central
11. Madrid
12. Wapsie
13. Earlham
14. MMCRU
15. Nashua Plainfield
16. Bellevue
So taking into both rankings and geography these would be my pods.
West Hancock vs Nashua Plainfield
Gehlen vs Woodbury Central
ACGC vs MMCRU
Tri Center vs Riverside
Saint Ansgar vs Wapsie Valley
Madrid vs Pekin
Lisbon vs Bellevue
Maquoketa Valley vs Earlham
Here is my thought process
1. Top 4 seeds separated, I believe that is a rule they will follow
2. 2 district champs in each pod
3. The top 2 non district champs (Saint Ansgar and Pekin) get the lowest two non top 10 district champs, because district champs get to host second round
4. Put 2 from the top 8 in each pod, with some geography included
5. Tried to put 1 with the lowest team possible, then 2 with the next lowest possible and so on, remembering that district champs wouldn't play each other.
6. I separated 1 and 2 seed from the same district from playing, I don't think that is a rule this year as in years past, but I still did it.
7. The two I struggled with were where to send Earlham and Nashua Plainfield, especially Earlham. I think that they are a clearly better team so I sent them to Maquoketa Valley which is a longer trip, Sending them to West Hancock and NP to MV makes more sense travel wise, but I went with the seeds.
Well thought out. I think a team that could throw a wrench in is Sibley. They played Gehlen Catholic and MMCRU both to very tough games. I think if they upset Woodbury, that's who will go to Britt. Woodbury coaching staff has great experience this time of year but they are not the same Woodbury team of the past. Still give the edge to the Wildcats though.
I know you separated for this purpose but I think we do see more 1vs2(or 3) from same district just based on the geography of the teams, especially those that are not both in the top 10 or so. IE MMCRU to Gehlen (20 miles). Earlham to ACGC (35 miles)
Any other 3's you see as a better than 25% chance to pull an upset?
You do realize that Pekin to Saint Ansgar would be over 3 n a half hours if they would meet. just don’t see this as a realistic option. I believe troutstamps post looked a little closer to what the state will want to do but who knows.
I would have to think North linn is a 3 with better than a 25 percent chance. Might see a upset here
I completely understand where your coming from, but the last 5 years or so both the boys and girls unions have shown that they are willing to make teams travel a little farther to get their top teams to state. So I do think it is a possibility.
I also agree with North Linn having a chance at beating Pekin, but I have also heard they are pretty beaten up.
They really have so I get your out of the box thinking. I think we all can agree on this one, this is one of the best n fun times of year trying to break this all down for our teams
I agree GOPANTHERS23 and I also think Class A is more open this year then in recent history, so it could be very fun.
Most wide open we have seen it in quite a while. Even the top dogs this year have question marks, such as schedule strength. I think we all can agree Britt and Saint Ansgar hasn’t played anyone outside of each other, SA vs Osage solid matchup about it. Britt with a double overtime win over a 2-6 team shows flaws even if it was early in the year. Same with AcGc with a few of the games they played, have flaws. This year I think almost any of the top A schools can take the other out on any given night.
It would not shock me and it wouldn't be an upset if # 3 North Linn beats # 2 Pekin. A few interesting matchups Earlham at Mt Ayer, huge test for both teams. Another is Starmont at Lisbon, I have not been on the Lisbon wagon because of their district it will be interesting to see how they handle a team that plays power run football
I feel pretty confident at the end of the day two teams will stand out yet again and thats WH and SA, they control the lines of scrimmage and eat up clock like no other, ACGC scores allot of points but they have also given up a ton of points. Using the rankings is ok for pairings but is is also flawed to the point where it doesn't take in strength of sched and you have a few people that do the rankings that I guarantee don't watch enough film or talk to enough people to know who is better than others. You take a team like Tri Center with an early season loss but that loss to a hell of a 1A school and all of a sudden they aren't ranked and takes them all year and 7 straight wins to climb the ladder and they may be a top 1 or 2 team. Your never ever going to get the top 4 teams in the dome unless each team has to travel across the state for matchups.
Wouldn’t bet against those 2 at the end just pointing out A is wide open more than usual because unlike most years these top teams have more flaws you can expose.
You know most of the people don’t take the time to actually watch film or put in any more effort than they have too. Just like you were saying with tri center, Bellevue has 2 very quality losses, both are to district champs I believe and one is a 2a school. So not sure how they didn’t slide into number 10 over Woodbury. It’s doesn’t make much sense because Wapsie or Madrid should have slide in at 10 over a downwards trending Woodbury team. Just shows the effort put forth from the rankings committee.
I agree never going to get the best 4 unless they send schools wherever need to be.
I mean if you believe in BCMoore's rankings your talking about a Bellevue team who is ranked 24th in the latest rankings (lowest 6-2 team) and a Wapsie team that took a recent loss to a 4-4 North Tama team. I agree Woodbury isn't looking great right now but they also have two quality losses, both to 7-1 district champs who haven't loss to a class A opponents so I don't get this argument. BCMoore had Madrid at 10.
Sure I look at bcmoore but he isn’t everything so you can stop pressing one set of rankings so hard. Last I knew a computer didn’t have eyes but I could be wrong in this day and age 🤷♂️😂. Also not sure if a week 5 loss is considered a recent loss but sure. I’d take Wapsie Or Bellevue over Woodbury that’s my opinion. Bcmoore is just a computer not facts either. So just because bcmoore says so don’t make it so lol that’s probably why it can be an argument.
You just complained about a rankings committee.. I'm just providing data from a source that's usually pretty accurate year in and year out. I trust the BCMoore model. I wish the small classes would also use the RPI model still and no matter what if you had to travel then travel. Play games on a Saturday if you have to. I remember in 2019 WC had to travel to North Tama (3.5 hour trip) for the quarter finals because they were 4 and 5 in the RPI. I think that's the best option for playoffs.
BCMoore is not accurate in my opinion as too many flaws. They have Lisbon #1 and Pekin # 5 in class A and as I have explained that district might be the worst in the state as those two teams pounded the other teams and then Lisbon beats Pekin by 14 I think. The two teams that they played in non district were a combined 1-15. Three of the top six teams according to bc moore, Lisbon, Pekin and Maq V have a sched strength of 55-58 and 53 out of 58 total teams. The ranking committees of each class are made up of two former coaches and a person of the press along with members of the IHSAA, and I know a few of the press people and they would only vote for teams in their area because if they succeed more press to cover. The committees are listed on the IHSAA site for each class. The bottom line is no computer is going to pick them as the best way to rank teams is the eyeball test and before anyone says you cant go to every game to see teams, well yes you can its called hudl and you can watch any team you need to as many times as you need to right at your computer or phone, because if your going to be on the committee and they are going to use your rankings just have the courtesy to watch teams and games to see just how good they are. Your Bellevue example is pretty good at 6-2 and only loses to two teams that are a combined 14-2 and those two loses were to higher class teams yet Bellevue sits 24 on BC Moore behind two teams that they beat in North Linn at 11 and Starmont at 16 as well as 3 other teams that are 4-4.
Just trying to make a few points to various discussions since my last post.
I do know that people on the rankings committees have said they do use BC Moore as a tool, along with the Bound Power Rankings, and I believe they some make or have access to a RPI list for the class they rank as well. There is no perfect way to truly evaluate all of the teams in the state when so many don't play each other, and yes you can compare scores sometimes, but that isn't perfect either. My guess is that if you were to ask any of the ranking committee members they would have sound reasoning for how they rank it, and also probably have a few disagreements within the rankings.
When it comes to making the pods, I don't know if there is a perfect way of doing it, that is why I kind of tried to balance geography and rankings for what I put out there. I do know that the state will separate the top 4 and I think they really try to only have one of the 5-8 in each pod if possible. Like I said and has been mentioned I don't think the state is going to send Woodbury Central to Maquoketa Valley (which would be a 7 v 10 matchup) when there are some matchups that make more sense geographically and still are separating the powers. But, I do think they are willing to send teams 2.5 or 3 hours if it makes sense to get the right matchups. Like mentioned earlier Woodbury Central went to North Tama, I know Newman went to AHSTW and West Lyon West to both Osage and DNH a few years ago, it can happen.
I would also say pods are easier to make in Class A then in 1A or 2A.
Finally I know when it was mentioned that things seem a little bit more open some are like West Hancock and Saint still need to be the favorite, and I completely agree. But, for a few years there is seemed like no matter what we were getting West Hancock and Grundy, this year I still am not betting against West Hancock, but I look at the top 8 or so and kind of see this.
West Hancock: Still very good, well coach, and physical, but I have watched some film and they just aren't this unbeatable force like they have been.
AC/GC: I really am concerned about their defense, they have athletes, and a good, but I could see them losing before the dome.
Saint Ansgar: Kind of the same as WH, very well coached, physical, but don't have maybe the depth that they once did.
Lisbon: Super fast, not the most physical, and I have questions about their district. But if they can get to the dome, their speed could be an issue.
Tri-Center: Kind of came out of nowhere, but have looked impressive, and the loss to AHSTW isn't a bad one.
Gehlen: I kind of question the strength of D1 as well, and while I think Woodbury Central is a good win, it has became less impressive.
Maquoketa Valley: I can't figure out the loss to Cascade, but that was week 1, and they have been pretty dominate since then on both sides of the ball, but I think there a bunch of unknowns.
Pekin: Kind of the same as Lisbon, big questions about the strength of schedule. But, they can put up points.
I do know that people on the rankings committees have said they do use BC Moore as a tool, along with the Bound Power Rankings, and I believe they some make or have access to a RPI list for the class they rank as well. There is no perfect way to truly evaluate all of the teams in the state when so many don't play each other, and yes you can compare scores sometimes, but that isn't perfect either. My guess is that if you were to ask any of the ranking committee members they would have sound reasoning for how they rank it, and also probably have a few disagreements within the rankings.
When it comes to making the pods, I don't know if there is a perfect way of doing it, that is why I kind of tried to balance geography and rankings for what I put out there. I do know that the state will separate the top 4 and I think they really try to only have one of the 5-8 in each pod if possible. Like I said and has been mentioned I don't think the state is going to send Woodbury Central to Maquoketa Valley (which would be a 7 v 10 matchup) when there are some matchups that make more sense geographically and still are separating the powers. But, I do think they are willing to send teams 2.5 or 3 hours if it makes sense to get the right matchups. Like mentioned earlier Woodbury Central went to North Tama, I know Newman went to AHSTW and West Lyon West to both Osage and DNH a few years ago, it can happen.
I would also say pods are easier to make in Class A then in 1A or 2A.
Finally I know when it was mentioned that things seem a little bit more open some are like West Hancock and Saint still need to be the favorite, and I completely agree. But, for a few years there is seemed like no matter what we were getting West Hancock and Grundy, this year I still am not betting against West Hancock, but I look at the top 8 or so and kind of see this.
West Hancock: Still very good, well coach, and physical, but I have watched some film and they just aren't this unbeatable force like they have been.
AC/GC: I really am concerned about their defense, they have athletes, and a good, but I could see them losing before the dome.
Saint Ansgar: Kind of the same as WH, very well coached, physical, but don't have maybe the depth that they once did.
Lisbon: Super fast, not the most physical, and I have questions about their district. But if they can get to the dome, their speed could be an issue.
Tri-Center: Kind of came out of nowhere, but have looked impressive, and the loss to AHSTW isn't a bad one.
Gehlen: I kind of question the strength of D1 as well, and while I think Woodbury Central is a good win, it has became less impressive.
Maquoketa Valley: I can't figure out the loss to Cascade, but that was week 1, and they have been pretty dominate since then on both sides of the ball, but I think there a bunch of unknowns.
Pekin: Kind of the same as Lisbon, big questions about the strength of schedule. But, they can put up points.
I appreciate your time and effort on this forum! I love to banter about hs sports. I agree with you in the field being open. I do think that a team like WH or SA always seem to succeed at the dome because of their commitment to the run. Many throwing teams go down there, especially in the lower classes, and struggle because of the dumb overinflated brand new footballs required to use (yes that's an excuse but have been a part of it first hand as well) So a team like Tri Center if they could make it with a young Soph Q may struggle down there if things like that bother him.
Being from NWIA I have seen D1 and D8 pretty frequently and can give some insight for those who care for the top teams:
Gehlen is a WH knock off with their style of play this season but wouldn't have near the defensive prowess if they were to meet. Q and RB are special runners. Their D struggles against teams that throw it a little bit giving up over 20 points to a bad South O'Brien where the back up Q went 10/14, 20 to a 1 win Akron team and obviously 21 and 26 to Woodbury and Sibley respectively. Both of these districts are top heavy with the bottom being very bad. Gehlen should have no issue with St. Albert, other than they like to throw it quite a bit.
Woodbury Central is a shell of itself with a young quarterback figuring things out, only 51% completion, but does not put the ball in peril much with only 2 INT. They have a workhorse in Butler at RB and he's a fantastic MLB as well. I have a hard time believing they will be back at the dome but Coach Bremer is top tier. I think this game vs Sibley is the most interesting in this side of the state by far
MMCRU is a very balanced team on O with a young quarterback throwing at a strong 70% completion. He doesn't have many TD's so that tells me that he takes the safe option frequently rather than taking shots but I have only seen them play one time this season. Also to note: this team has not lost a game since multiple guys came back off either ineligibility or misconduct of some kind but haven't really played anyone of note either since then besides maybe Sibley.
Sibley-Ocheydan This team goes as the Q goes. He does not have a high completion percentage (45%) but he lives by taking the big shot. He is a small but very athletic Q that throws a nice deep ball. He is also their leading rusher at almost 7.7 YPC. He is nearly the only senior that plays on the team so they could be even better next year if they can find a suitable Q but they are a boom or bust team and I think that they could get Woodbury on Friday.
Hartley Melvin Sanborn This new coach should get a ton of credit for what he has done with this group, bad district or not. However, they are not talented in the slightest and are in for a world of hurt come Friday night with their draw at West Hancock.
I do not know a ton about Logan Magnolia or Tri-Center as they are quite a ways south, other than they both like to throw the ball around with again, young Q's (must be the year to start Sophs @ Q in these districts) Tri Center's Q especially is a special athlete and is a fantastic baseball and basketball player as well so big games shouldn't bother him too much.
We going to do a pick-em again this year ?
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The teams that will go deep in the playoffs will be those that have physical OL and DL. There are two teams that have both and to get through them, you better be able to match them in the trenches.
