IowaPreps.com Football Rankings - September 14th

[LukeFeddersen]

Agree/disagree with our rankings? Let us know now!

1.) Pella 3-0 (Previous: #1)

2.) Cedar Rapids Xavier 2-1 (Previous: #4)
3.) West Delaware 3-0 (Previous: #2)

4.) Solon 2-1 (Previous: #3)
5.) Humboldt 3-0 (Previous: #5)
6.) Carroll 3-0 (Previous: #7)

7.) Bishop Heelan 2-1 (Previous: #8)

8.) Newton 3-0 (Previous: #9)
9.) Davenport Assumption 1-2 (Previous:
#10)
10.) Waverly-Shell Rock
2-1 (Previous: #6)

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This post was edited on 9/14 7:24 AM by LukeFeddersen

 

[EastIowaHawk]

Glad you didn't drop Solon very much. Not only did they play a very good team, they apparently had a few key players who were ill.

 

[loco60]

Shouldn't Xavier be ranked in 4A? Or 3A with an asterisk?

This poll is hilarious! The number 4 team got four first downs this week, 2 of them late in the game. The number 9 team got 0 first downs through the third quarter two weeks ago.

I can't wait to see Pella hang up 61 points on Xavier! Or at least go to the mercy rule continuous clock. Count on it...Pella versus Xavier will be a tiptoe through the tulips in the playoffs!

Central Clinton, DeWitt will probably bring the upset bug to Xavier this Friday. After all, they just got edged by former 4A Dubuque Wahlert.

Luke...what's your logic on the whole poll thing?

 

[fmclonefan]

I'm trying to follow you loco. Are you upset that Solon and Assumption are ranked? or that Xavier isn't #1? I assume you are being sarcastic with the whole continuous clock thing with Pella vs. Xavier.

While Pella hasn't done anything to not be ranked #1, Xavier's dominance of Solon (who beat IC Regina) and Assumption was pretty darn impressive. I don't think either one of them loses from here on out until they see each other (hopefully) deep in the playoffs. Will be interesting to see how the state directs the playoffs this year as it won't be just one district versus another.

But, I don't think it is wrong to have Pella ranked at #1 and Xavier at #2. Could be flipped around and that wouldn't be wrong either. Doesn't really matter anyway. At week #4, rankings still involve a lot of guesswork.

 

[ghost80]

Laughable.....if Dowling could only hang 24 on Xavier how is Pella gonna hang a mercy..let alone 61 on them????

Loco, basically what you are saying is that Pella could beat Dowling and do it by several scores!

That's funny!!!

 

[ronsss]

ballard and gilbert are smashing everyone they are playing at the moment, maybe better teams than pella....

anyway, they play each other this week,,,one of the top 3a games next friday
This post was edited on 9/15 5:00 AM by ronsss

 

[loco60]

I am not upset, my reference to Pella hanging 61 on Xavier is sarcasm. The sarcasm is intended because of Xavier's performance against two highly ranked 3A teams. Davenport Assumption and Solon. In the former case, a 3-0 lead at halftime seemed nigh untouchable, as the Knights had 2 yards rushing and 17 yards passing. The Saints put it away early in the 2nd half. But several Knight starters were injured. In the latter case, a key starter for Solon was injured, perhaps others unavailable for illness.

Polls are intended to generate crosstalk and exchange.

 

[KidSilverhair]

Xavier's defense is top-notch, no doubt. The offense has not clicked on all cylinders so far, although they have piled up a ton of yards on the ground the past two games. It's still a little tough to fully critique them - as mentioned, Assumption had a bunch of starters out due to injury and Solon faced not only less-than-ideal weather conditions for their attack but also had their top running back on the bench.

It's clear the Saints are going to be a force in 3A this season, but it would be helpful to have them match up against a power that was actually at full strength in order to make an informed ranking. Pella, West Delaware, Gilbert, Ballard - how do they compare? We don't know yet, won't know until November.

I am sure Xavier is totally okay with this start to the season, all the way down to facing Assumption and Solon at not-quite-full strength. When your first four games are Dowling, Assumption, Solon and now DeWitt Central (who already beat a 4A team), you'll take the breaks you get. It appears that's the meat of the schedule (excepting the non-district match with Regina October 17) with Maquoketa, Western Dubuque, Wahlert and Marion sporting a total of 4 victories between them after three weeks.

That defense, though. That's rock-solid so far. I wasn't positive how good it would be replacing 10 starters, but they are legit.

This post was edited on 9/15 7:52 AM by KidSilverhair

 

[Vroom_C14]

When you can roll entire squads into the game (one for Off, one for Def, one for Punt,etc) it certainly helps you. 71 kids on the roster for a 3A school... The vast majority of "normal" 3A schools have 7-8 kids that play both ways. I wonder how a school with a BEDS count of

 

[thinkpad1]

Pella vs. Xavier. Hmmmm..... It would be hard to believe that Pella hangs 60+ points on Xavier let alone 60 yards against that defense. Playing Dowling is a lot different than playing Oskaloosa. Pella and Xavier both have fine programs. Both should be reconized for there accomplishments and not diminished for what they have done. Championship predictions:

4A Dowling
3A Xavier
2A Clear Lake
1A Regina

 

[KidSilverhair]

Seriously, Vroom, what's your point? Just about every thread that mentions Xavier you chime in to mention how big their roster is. Well, so? If your insinuation is that Xavier is recruiting to pad their numbers, I can assure you that you are wrong.

I think it was last year it was noted that over half of Xavier's male students were out for at least one sport. That's something that should be hailed as a positive, as a great sign of parent and student involvement in the school and in athletic activities. We ought to be encouraging that level of involvement and participation - plus, remember not all of these guys get to see much game action. I have been to every Xavier game since August 2006 (well, except one) and there are plenty of kids who are little more than scout team fodder who stick it out for the entire season each and every year. That's a good thing!

Let's break it down. Xavier has what, 71 kids on varsity? What 3A schools rank above them in size: Newton, Western Dubuque, Norwalk, Dallas Center-Grimes, Denison-Schleswig, Boone and Oskaloosa. DCG has 68 kids listed on varsity, Boone has 62, Norwalk 59 and Newton 57. That's not a crazy amount of roster difference from Xavier, even considering special teams. Then you get Denison-Schleswig with 41 and Western Dubuque with only 39, and you have to wonder what's the issue at those schools where they can't get the kids to come out for football, rather than why the other teams are so big.

Look, I realize it's a fact that Xavier has the largest roster in 3A. I realize it's a fact this gives the coaches the benefit of playing more guys and keeping more guys rested. Yes, it can be an advantage. But there's nothing nefarious about it, and wondering where Xavier gets all these "talented" kids to overfill their roster is nothing but a "I didn't say they recruit!" way of accusing them of recruiting.

 

[loco60]

I think Xavier's coaches are very disciplined about doing what it takes to win within the rules. If that means they run the ball against every 3A opponent, they will do that if successful. If that means playing pressure defense, they'll do that if successful.

As to numbers, I think Xavier has a decent youth feeder program and some long-time commitment from the coaches at the middle school level.

I think they like their football at Xavier and within the schools and programs that feed it.

I don't think there is a legitimate reason to rank Pella higher than Xavier, but the ranking can certainly happen...it's a POLL.

I'm excited about Carroll...this seems like a jump start season for them. Bishop Heelan will be ready come playoff time. Newton is a big school. Davenport Assumption will also keep getting better.

 

[cruhawk]

Originally posted by Vroom_C14:

When you can roll entire squads into the game (one for Off, one for Def, one for Punt,etc) it certainly helps you. 71 kids on the roster for a 3A school... The vast majority of "normal" 3A schools have 7-8 kids that play both ways. I wonder how a school with a BEDS count of

 

[Vroom_C14]

Originally posted by KidSilverhair:
Seriously, Vroom, what's your point? Just about every thread that mentions Xavier you chime in to mention how big their roster is. Well, so? If your insinuation is that Xavier is recruiting to pad their numbers, I can assure you that you are wrong.

I think it was last year it was noted that over half of Xavier's male students were out for at least one sport. That's something that should be hailed as a positive, as a great sign of parent and student involvement in the school and in athletic activities. We ought to be encouraging that level of involvement and participation - plus, remember not all of these guys get to see much game action. I have been to every Xavier game since August 2006 (well, except one) and there are plenty of kids who are little more than scout team fodder who stick it out for the entire season each and every year. That's a good thing!

Let's break it down. Xavier has what, 71 kids on varsity? What 3A schools rank above them in size: Newton, Western Dubuque, Norwalk, Dallas Center-Grimes, Denison-Schleswig, Boone and Oskaloosa. DCG has 68 kids listed on varsity, Boone has 62, Norwalk 59 and Newton 57. That's not a crazy amount of roster difference from Xavier, even considering special teams. Then you get Denison-Schleswig with 41 and Western Dubuque with only 39, and you have to wonder what's the issue at those schools where they can't get the kids to come out for football, rather than why the other teams are so big.

Look, I realize it's a fact that Xavier has the largest roster in 3A. I realize it's a fact this gives the coaches the benefit of playing more guys and keeping more guys rested. Yes, it can be an advantage. But there's nothing nefarious about it, and wondering where Xavier gets all these "talented" kids to overfill their roster is nothing but a "I didn't say they recruit!" way of accusing them of recruiting.

Xavier's depth (or roster) is a definitive factor in their games - when you can have that many kids that are able to play and not drop in competitiveness, that is huge. Where did I say anything about recruiting? A little hyper-sensitive you are maybe?

If you want to discuss "recruiting" (which has been done to exhaustion on other forums) that is fine - it is common knowledge that private school have to recruit (all their kids, not just athletes) as there are not boundaries that force kids to private school "y". Heck others that send their kids to private school even state such on here.

Talented kids = recruiting... I guess you are VERY sensitive. Solon had some very talented kids for a stretch, Regina has had some talented kids for a stretch, Sigourney Keota, Aplington Parkersburg, North Fayette, Decorah, the list goes on - so I am not and did not say they recruited all those kids... in fact most of their current roster could also be found on their YSF feeder teams from a few years ago. Solon, Regina, SK, ICW, IC High, and others have feeder programs in YSF as well.

Talking with Xavier parents that I work with they weren't happy to drop to 3A. They knew (know) there won't be much competition for them except on a really off year for their program or a very rare up-season for others (say Decorah's Jewell or Solon's Morris years).

 

[Team10]

Xavier is by far the best team in 3A. Pella is a close 2nd based on their thumping of Washington 35-0, DCG 45-14, Oskaloosa 61-6, all 3 were 9+ win teams last year and all 3 returned multiple starters on both sides of the ball. Really think those 2 teams are in a league of their own right now early in the year. Carroll, Heelan, West Delaware will all be tough games for anyone. Will be interesting to see how the state will split teams up when it comes playoff time. Will the truly "seed" the final 4 teams? No reason not to this year.

 

[DogBoyRy]

You might want to refesh the Xavier parents who weren't happy with going to 3A the scores from week 1 vs. Dowling.
Freshman - Heard it was 42-7 or something.
Soph's 35-0 and told Dowling put a offensive freeze on and had many starters pulled after first series of second half. Also told they have a couple sophs up at varsity.
Varsity - 26-2 or whatever and told Dolwing didn't play very well as an opener.
Keep in mind Dowling always seems to have a couple good players from other schools "show up" at their door come JR/SR year.

Again - I didn't see a play of any of the games except a little of the varsity on TV replay but being told by most of the Xavier parents I know they are happy with the 3A move.

 

[Vroom_C14]

Originally posted by DogBoyRy:

You might want to refesh the Xavier parents who weren't happy with going to 3A the scores from week 1 vs. Dowling.
Freshman - Heard it was 42-7 or something.
Soph's 35-0 and told Dowling put a offensive freeze on and had many starters pulled after first series of second half. Also told they have a couple sophs up at varsity.
Varsity - 26-2 or whatever and told Dolwing didn't play very well as an opener.
Keep in mind Dowling always seems to have a couple good players from other schools "show up" at their door come JR/SR year.

Again - I didn't see a play of any of the games except a little of the varsity on TV replay but being told by most of the Xavier parents I know they are happy with the 3A move.

The ones (and there are several where I work) I have talked with daily, wish they were back in 4A. Maybe we can tell the parents to talk to each other and hash it out. They will play where they want to play. If their enrollment says 3A then 3A is where they will play. If by some act of the big guy they realize they can still compete and compete well against 4A maybe they opt to play up. Regina's Soph team beat Solon - Solon's parents don't want to drop to A because of it.

Dowling having someone show up on their doorstep - you saying they recruit? Kind of like Xavier getting the PG from Prairie this year? I think about any upper level program has kids move in throughout their calendar years, even the public's benefit from it.

This post was edited on 9/18 8:11 AM by Vroom_C14

 

[johndeerefan]

Bhrv only has one loss. Why are they not ranked, according to they're past history?

 

[tm33_08]

Originally posted by EastIowaHawk:
Glad you didn't drop Solon very much. Not only did they play a very good team, they apparently had a few key players who were ill.

They had some injuries suffered during the game, as well. There were two or three players on ice by the end of the game, including Connor Ham, and Brandon Kramer seemed to just disappear (didn't see him on the field or on the sideline for most of the second half).

 

[KidSilverhair]

I don't think Kramer played at all. Colton Hansel was the workhouse back, and despite being so hot right now, couldn't get the ground game going for Solon.

I was wondering why Coach Miller doesn't just have the quarterback throw to the sophomore WR Coons every play. The kid must be 6'5" at least ... with most high school corners about 5'9" that's just no contest.

 

[Vroom_C14]

Originally posted by KidSilverhair:
I don't think Kramer played at all. Colton Hansel was the workhouse back, and despite being so hot right now, couldn't get the ground game going for Solon.

I was wondering why Coach Miller doesn't just have the quarterback throw to the sophomore WR Coons every play. The kid must be 6'5" at least ... with most high school corners about 5'9" that's just no contest.

Miller keeps it close to the vest - run first (usually between the tackles) and this year the passing game has a lot of quick hits to the WR\SB. Running against Xavier (between the tackles) plays into Xavier's hands as that is where they are stout and have a really solid MLB.

Coons is decent but his hands are suspect. Kramer (never played), Nunemaker was playing injured, Coons (and a few others) was playing the day after the flu, and Ham (biggest threat on the team) was non-existent.

Add in snaps that are STILL too high to the QB (this screws up any read-option\timing plays) and you have a cluster on your hands.

 

[cruhawk]

Originally posted by Vroom_C14:

Originally posted by KidSilverhair:
Seriously, Vroom, what's your point? Just about every thread that mentions Xavier you chime in to mention how big their roster is. Well, so? If your insinuation is that Xavier is recruiting to pad their numbers, I can assure you that you are wrong.

I think it was last year it was noted that over half of Xavier's male students were out for at least one sport. That's something that should be hailed as a positive, as a great sign of parent and student involvement in the school and in athletic activities. We ought to be encouraging that level of involvement and participation - plus, remember not all of these guys get to see much game action. I have been to every Xavier game since August 2006 (well, except one) and there are plenty of kids who are little more than scout team fodder who stick it out for the entire season each and every year. That's a good thing!

Let's break it down. Xavier has what, 71 kids on varsity? What 3A schools rank above them in size: Newton, Western Dubuque, Norwalk, Dallas Center-Grimes, Denison-Schleswig, Boone and Oskaloosa. DCG has 68 kids listed on varsity, Boone has 62, Norwalk 59 and Newton 57. That's not a crazy amount of roster difference from Xavier, even considering special teams. Then you get Denison-Schleswig with 41 and Western Dubuque with only 39, and you have to wonder what's the issue at those schools where they can't get the kids to come out for football, rather than why the other teams are so big.

Look, I realize it's a fact that Xavier has the largest roster in 3A. I realize it's a fact this gives the coaches the benefit of playing more guys and keeping more guys rested. Yes, it can be an advantage. But there's nothing nefarious about it, and wondering where Xavier gets all these "talented" kids to overfill their roster is nothing but a "I didn't say they recruit!" way of accusing them of recruiting.

Xavier's depth (or roster) is a definitive factor in their games - when you can have that many kids that are able to play and not drop in competitiveness, that is huge. Where did I say anything about recruiting? A little hyper-sensitive you are maybe?

If you want to discuss "recruiting" (which has been done to exhaustion on other forums) that is fine - it is common knowledge that private school have to recruit (all their kids, not just athletes) as there are not boundaries that force kids to private school "y". Heck others that send their kids to private school even state such on here.

Talented kids = recruiting... I guess you are VERY sensitive. Solon had some very talented kids for a stretch, Regina has had some talented kids for a stretch, Sigourney Keota, Aplington Parkersburg, North Fayette, Decorah, the list goes on - so I am not and did not say they recruited all those kids... in fact most of their current roster could also be found on their YSF feeder teams from a few years ago. Solon, Regina, SK, ICW, IC High, and others have feeder programs in YSF as well.

Talking with Xavier parents that I work with they weren't happy to drop to 3A. They knew (know) there won't be much competition for them except on a really off year for their program or a very rare up-season for others (say Decorah's Jewell or Solon's Morris years).

The Xavier "4A to 3A" situation seems to just about mirror Heelan's a few years ago. Their enrollment hadn't been at a true 4A level since the early 80's, yet they played--very competitively--in 4A until they dropped to 3A in 2006. It wasn't a popular move with most alums; it was most faculty/administration driven. The schools & programs are similar enough that it's reasonable to believe that they will have similar experiences/paths in 3A football. Some downs, but mostly ups (even at schools like these, the talent level can vary from year to year). I wouldn't read too much into Xavier's struggles with Dowling (apparently at all levels) this year. These things are cyclical too, and it's not a statement on the inherent quality of the two programs. Since Heelan moved to 3A eight years ago, they've had at least two teams that could have/would have beaten Dowling and probably won the 4A title. And as long as the bottom doesn't fall out of your school's enrollment, the same will be true of Xavier at some point.


Football (and, really, all athletics) programs like Xavier, Assumption, and Heelan are as perennial as the grass. Every once in awhile, a particular team from Keokuk, Solon, or Decorah will come along, thinking it's a lawn mower. But they always grow back.

 

[DogBoyRy]

I've been to the championship games almost every year for the last 20 and there is no Heelan 3A team that would have sniffed a 4A championship...

 

[jen44]

Here are my current 3A Rankings:

1. West Delaware 3-0
2. Humboldt 3-0
3. Cedar Rapids Xavier 2-1
4. Solon 2-1
5. Pella 3-0
6. Newton 3-0
7. Chariton 3-0
8. Charles City 2-1
9. Gilbert 3-0
10. Epworth, Western Dubuque 2-1


This post was edited on 9/19 1:20 PM by jen44

 

[Vroom_C14]

Originally posted by DogBoyRy:

I've been to the championship games almost every year for the last 20 and there is no Heelan 3A team that would have sniffed a 4A championship...

Wegher's SR year would have - last years team would have been interesting to watch vs either Xavier or Dowling.

It will end up for something like 8/10 years where Xavier\Assumption will rep the East and Heelan West. As mentioned above there will be a one-off from a public school that times it right with a class that can get past the X or A. It will not be the norm, rather the exception. Look at Heelan for example... Harlan was the West's power in 3A for years until Heelan moves in...

2006 6-3
2007 Runner-up
2008 State Champ
2009 10-2 Harlan beat them 2nd rd and won Championship
2010 Runner-up
2011 8-2 Harlan beat them 2nd rd Decorah won Championship
2012 Runner-up
2013 State Champ

 

[Vroom_C14]

Originally posted by jen44:
Here are my current 3A Rankings:

1. West Delaware 3-0
2. Humboldt 3-0
3. Cedar Rapids Xavier 2-1
4. Solon 2-1
5. Pella 3-0
6. Newton 3-0
7. Chariton 3-0
8. Charles City 2-1
9. Gilbert 3-0
10. Epworth, Western Dubuque

1. Xavier
2. Pella
3. West Delaware
4. Gilbert
5. Solon
6. Humboldt
7. Chariton
8. West Dub
9. Newton
10. Charles City

 

[cruhawk]

Originally posted by DogBoyRy:

I've been to the championship games almost every year for the last 20 and there is no Heelan 3A team that would have sniffed a 4A championship...

Then you weren't paying attention to the games...other than for sheer entertainment purposes. That's OK...that's why most people go. As mentioned above, in the eight seasons since Heelan joined 3A, they've either won the title or lost to the team that did six of those seasons. That's not a 3A program that "wouldn't sniff a 4A championship".
This post was edited on 9/19 12:20 PM by cruhawk

 

[Ford26]

I would love to give Chariton some credit, being 3-0 and all. However, they have played the #56 ranked team in 2A and the #56 ranked team in 3A and the #51 team in 3A. Their schedule will become tougher down the stretch and then we'll find out if they should be rated top 10 or not.