Well, D6 is a potpourri from several districts from last year as well as North Polk moving up a class. Is an interesting district in that you have some teams that are probably not very familiar with one another. The top two finishers in the state from last year (Pella, Norwalk) are represented. Both will be formidable again and look to be the clear choices for playoff reps from this district. Plus several really good, solid teams, year in and year out, are here as well. Should be an interesting race and starting with #3 down, is actually very hard to predict. Many of the teams lost lots of talent.
D6 teams (last year's record in parenthesis):
Bondurant-Farrar (6-4)
Carlisle (6-4)
Grinnell (4-5)
Knoxville (5-4)
Nevada (2-7)
North Polk (5-5 in 2A)
Norwalk (12-2)
Pella (14-0)
My predicted order of finish:
1. Norwalk -- Brandsfield is arguably one of the best returning QB in class 3A, let alone the state (2731 yards passing, 850 rushing, 26 passing TD, 13 running TD's). The kid has started since he was a freshman. They do need to reload at RB and WR though. But in saying that, Brandsfield will be their leading rusher by a long ways. Have several lineman back, but they did lose the big guys in Onken and Smith. Norwalk will live and die with the QB. If he gets hurt, ouch. But, he could be the difference maker in every game they play this year. He is a stud. Very stout defense last year, expect it to be good again, but probably not as strong. Brandsfield, to me, gives them the edge in this district.
2. Pella -- Brings in a 28 game winning streak and are 39-1 over last 3 years. The last 2 graduating classes were phenomenal. Is hard to predict against the 2 time defending state champ, but this is a new year. This team will still be very good this year, but there is no Noah Clayberg. Many big names to try and replace. But, the defense does have 7 starters back and actually may end up better then last year's. The offense will still be good as Finney got a lot of time at QB last year and throws the ball very well, but lost a ton of firepower.The running game is a question mark. All streaks must end eventually and Pella @ Norwalk on 10/07 may end this one.
3. Grinnell -- One of the only other teams in this district that brings back any experience at QB. McKnight isn't the most accurate thrower in the world (196 attempts, 86 completions), but is athletic and has a good arm. Did throw 15 TD's. Simon is back at RB and is a 1000 yd rusher. Offense should be able to move the ball. Defense is a big question. Gave up lots of points (only held one opponent under 3 TD's) and lost vast majority of starters and leading tacklers. Will have to flat out outscore teams to win. Can probably be able to out offense the other teams in this district, besides the obvious.
4. Carlisle -- The Wildcats lost a lot of talent. The two stud RB's are gone. 2 year starting QB is gone. Majority of the defense is gone. They will need to almost completely retool. But, Carlisle manages to do that well year in and year out. Don't expect them to just float away. They will not come out and trick you, they want to run it down your throat and be physical on D. I would expect them to be very solid again this year. Is hard to pick them low in the standings in any year.
5. Bondurant--Farrar -- Had a very good team last year that beat Grinnell, North Polk, and Nevada. Ran into Norwalk in the playoffs and got thoroughly dominated. They too have lost a lot of talent. Must replace about all the skill players. Are building a good tradition of winning there though. Have several key defensive players back and look to be solid on that side of the ball. Could be a surprise team, if they can get the offense going.
6. Knoxville -- Knoxville also lost the two stud RB's they had. They do bring back the QB in Zuck, but he throws very little. Just needs to manage the game. The Panthers run a wing T type of offense that you don't see often and they don't pretend to be a throwing team. For teams that have not played them recently, can be difficult to prepare for. Had some good soph talent last year. Davis is very athletic, look for them to try and get him the ball in space. They will go as far as the line will take them, but the line may not be as big and physical this year.
7. North Polk -- Welcome to 3A! The Comet's running game was pretty anemic last year against the better teams they played and that was against 2A teams. Losing their QB who was 75% of the offense won't help. They need more size up front to be able to compete well at this level. I think they could struggle to score points and struggle to stop teams. This district has several teams that really like to run the ball and be physical which may make if very difficult for this team. But, North Polk did only lose to Bondurant-Farrar by 2 opening day last year, so you never know.
8. Nevada -- Had a tough year last year. Gave up over 40 points 6 times. Tough to win ballgames that way. Matuska is back and QB and did throw for 1171 yards with 12 TD's and only 5 int's. Sellberg is also a great athlete and can hurt you in the return game, rushing or receiving. Nevada will score some points. But, they lost many top tacklers from a D that already wasn't stellar. They need more physical play up front in order to move up the food chain. They may have some very entertaining high scoring games though!
--This will be a fun district to watch in that the bottom 6 teams should all be very competitive with one another which makes it very hard to predict. Norwalk and Pella are the clear favorites and will most likely steam roll everybody else.
D6 teams (last year's record in parenthesis):
Bondurant-Farrar (6-4)
Carlisle (6-4)
Grinnell (4-5)
Knoxville (5-4)
Nevada (2-7)
North Polk (5-5 in 2A)
Norwalk (12-2)
Pella (14-0)
My predicted order of finish:
1. Norwalk -- Brandsfield is arguably one of the best returning QB in class 3A, let alone the state (2731 yards passing, 850 rushing, 26 passing TD, 13 running TD's). The kid has started since he was a freshman. They do need to reload at RB and WR though. But in saying that, Brandsfield will be their leading rusher by a long ways. Have several lineman back, but they did lose the big guys in Onken and Smith. Norwalk will live and die with the QB. If he gets hurt, ouch. But, he could be the difference maker in every game they play this year. He is a stud. Very stout defense last year, expect it to be good again, but probably not as strong. Brandsfield, to me, gives them the edge in this district.
2. Pella -- Brings in a 28 game winning streak and are 39-1 over last 3 years. The last 2 graduating classes were phenomenal. Is hard to predict against the 2 time defending state champ, but this is a new year. This team will still be very good this year, but there is no Noah Clayberg. Many big names to try and replace. But, the defense does have 7 starters back and actually may end up better then last year's. The offense will still be good as Finney got a lot of time at QB last year and throws the ball very well, but lost a ton of firepower.The running game is a question mark. All streaks must end eventually and Pella @ Norwalk on 10/07 may end this one.
3. Grinnell -- One of the only other teams in this district that brings back any experience at QB. McKnight isn't the most accurate thrower in the world (196 attempts, 86 completions), but is athletic and has a good arm. Did throw 15 TD's. Simon is back at RB and is a 1000 yd rusher. Offense should be able to move the ball. Defense is a big question. Gave up lots of points (only held one opponent under 3 TD's) and lost vast majority of starters and leading tacklers. Will have to flat out outscore teams to win. Can probably be able to out offense the other teams in this district, besides the obvious.
4. Carlisle -- The Wildcats lost a lot of talent. The two stud RB's are gone. 2 year starting QB is gone. Majority of the defense is gone. They will need to almost completely retool. But, Carlisle manages to do that well year in and year out. Don't expect them to just float away. They will not come out and trick you, they want to run it down your throat and be physical on D. I would expect them to be very solid again this year. Is hard to pick them low in the standings in any year.
5. Bondurant--Farrar -- Had a very good team last year that beat Grinnell, North Polk, and Nevada. Ran into Norwalk in the playoffs and got thoroughly dominated. They too have lost a lot of talent. Must replace about all the skill players. Are building a good tradition of winning there though. Have several key defensive players back and look to be solid on that side of the ball. Could be a surprise team, if they can get the offense going.
6. Knoxville -- Knoxville also lost the two stud RB's they had. They do bring back the QB in Zuck, but he throws very little. Just needs to manage the game. The Panthers run a wing T type of offense that you don't see often and they don't pretend to be a throwing team. For teams that have not played them recently, can be difficult to prepare for. Had some good soph talent last year. Davis is very athletic, look for them to try and get him the ball in space. They will go as far as the line will take them, but the line may not be as big and physical this year.
7. North Polk -- Welcome to 3A! The Comet's running game was pretty anemic last year against the better teams they played and that was against 2A teams. Losing their QB who was 75% of the offense won't help. They need more size up front to be able to compete well at this level. I think they could struggle to score points and struggle to stop teams. This district has several teams that really like to run the ball and be physical which may make if very difficult for this team. But, North Polk did only lose to Bondurant-Farrar by 2 opening day last year, so you never know.
8. Nevada -- Had a tough year last year. Gave up over 40 points 6 times. Tough to win ballgames that way. Matuska is back and QB and did throw for 1171 yards with 12 TD's and only 5 int's. Sellberg is also a great athlete and can hurt you in the return game, rushing or receiving. Nevada will score some points. But, they lost many top tacklers from a D that already wasn't stellar. They need more physical play up front in order to move up the food chain. They may have some very entertaining high scoring games though!
--This will be a fun district to watch in that the bottom 6 teams should all be very competitive with one another which makes it very hard to predict. Norwalk and Pella are the clear favorites and will most likely steam roll everybody else.
) Sounds like Finney has had a great off season and is locked and loaded to get his chance as the man. Week 2 against DCG should be a great test. I wish they played Washington week #1, but Pella has tried to keep neighboring rivalries (Osky and Knoxville) in the past when they are non-district. Pella and DCG has turned into a great rivalry in most sports as well, so not surprised that they are matched up again in non-district football.
