Class 4A |
Class 3A |
Class 2A |
Class 1A |
Class A |
8-Man
Class 4A[/URL]
1.) Bettendorf
Led by University of Iowa commit Colin Sandeman, Bettendorf will be a consensus
pick as one of the top two teams in Iowa. But considering what they have
returning and their tradition, I expect the Bulldogs to make a serious run at
the UNI-Dome.
2.) West Des Moines Valley
Even though they have played in the last four State title games, I still ranked
Valley second. The Tigers once again have a lot of talent coming back,
especially on the offensive side of things. Wide receiver Alex Sandvig
ended the recruiting process earlier this summer by committing to Iowa State.
3.) Cedar Rapids Prairie
Prairie has two things that help them stay at this high ranking. They have
one of the best running backs in Iowa returning with Jamie Klith as well as one
of the top offensive lines coming back.
4.) Davenport Assumption
The Knights finally made it to the Class 4A semifinals before falling to
Cedar Falls in the playoffs. Athletes Willie Argo and Kyle Steinbrecher
will play vital roles in the offense and Matt Bentler will be the leader on both
the offensive and defensive lines.
5.) Cedar Rapids Xavier
Xavier may have missed out on the playoffs by one game last year but
that doesn't take into account how much talent they have returning. Not
only are three All Staters back, a number of other starters as also returning as
well.
6.) Iowa City High
The Little Hawks bring back a very potent combination with quarterback
Jon Gilmore and running back Travis Gobush. But with Ben Evans, Josh
Koeppel, and others graduated, who is going to step up into those roles?
7.) West Des Moines Dowling
The Maroons have been working hard to avoid the rebuilding process this
season. Lineman Ryan Katch is back after an All State year and a number of
transfer will also help bolster this solid lineup.
8.) Ankeny
Ankeny was hit hard once again by graduation but remember that this is
Ankeny. The Hawks have one of the strongest football programs in the state
and continue to reload year after year.
9.) Des Moines Lincoln
With the Jordan Bernstine senior season about to begin, anything can
happen this season for Lincoln. This standout is currently rated as the
top player in the entire state of Iowa.
10.) Sioux City East
The Black Raiders had to say goodbye to Sioux City Heelan after they moved down
to Class 3A and that means East should be the team to beat in the MRC.
Agree/disagree? Feel free to post your
thoughts now!
Class 3A[/URL]
1.) Harlan
With three straight titles and their last loss happening in 2002, will this
finally be the year someone takes down Harlan? Considering that they will
be young, this will be the season for their rivals to take their best shots.
2.) Grinnell
The Tigers need to fill the question mark at running back but are loaded for a
serious run this season. And with their playoff loss to Williamsburg in
the back of their mind, don't be surprised to see the Tigers get to the Dome.
3.) Humboldt
With two of the top five football players in the Class of 2007, Humboldt
obviously was some serious talent. And now that they are a year older and
more mature, the Wildcats will be better prepared for the postseason.
4.) Clear Lake
Clear Lake made it to the quarterfinals in a year many expected them to miss the
playoffs and have to rebuild. And considering that Thomas Gruis and others
are returning, the Lions are a team to watch.
5.) Sioux City Heelan
The Crusaders are making the jump down to Class 3A but there are a number of
question marks surrounding this team. But considering the talent base they
are working with, Heelan will be primed for another great year.
6.) Washington
The Demons start their offense with All State athlete Zach Davis and have a
number of options that will be tough to stop.
7.) Williamsburg
With Grinnell and West Delaware in their district, it will not be an easy season
for the Raiders. But after making it to the semifinals, there is a lot of
experience and talent returning.
8.) Oskaloosa
The 2006 version of the Tyler Sash show will be getting underway but the biggest
question surrounding the Indians is who will be the quarterback? Ryan Van
Dalen put up huge numbers (Including 1,000 yards to Sash) but he needs to be
replaced.
9.) LeMars
After shocking some people on the way to the Class 3A semifinals, LeMars will be
looking for even more this season.
T10.) Marion
The stock of Allen Reisner continues to go up and up as this senior had some
outstanding performances at individual camps this summer.
T10.) Chariton
The Chargers barely make the list but if they stay healthy, don't be surprised
to see them stay here.
Class 2A[/URL]
1.) North Fayette
With the amount of talent that the Hawks have returning, North Fayette is the
obvious team to start the team ranked number one.
2.) Emmetsburg
The E-Hawks have a talented core of players returning and one of the
most impressive football traditions in the State of Iowa.
3.) Solon
Solon fell to North Fayette in the playoffs last year in a game that was
plagued with turnovers. Can the Spartans get revenge this fall?
4.) Sigourney-Keota
The defending champions lose twenty one of twenty starters. The
good part is that they are Sigourney-Keota.
5.) South Hardin
Although they are making the move up from 1A, South Hardin has
a load of talent returning that will want to make it into the postseason.
6.) Sheldon
Sheldon narrowly lost the title game to S-K and were also hit hard by
graduation. Running back Jacob Crowl will be tough to stop this fall.
7.) PCM-Monroe
PCM-Monroe said goodbye to one of the most talented athletes in Iowa in
Grant Burns but has enough talent to fight for a district title.
8.) West Burlington
The Falcons lost some games last year because of an illegal player but
were breathing a sign of relief when they weren't pitted in the district with
S-K.
9.) Red Oak
The Tigers will be fighting with Kuemper Catholic for the district title
but this may be the year they break through and get into the postseason.
10.) Center Point-Urbana
The Stormin' Pointers always find a way to reload and this year should be no
different.
Class 1A[/URL]
1.) Aplington-Parkersburg
The tradition-rich Falcons from Aplington-Parkersburg were a junior-laden team
and return two of the top players in their district with running back Jesse Nitcher and lineman Evan Capper.
2.) Council Bluffs St. Albert
After three straight appearances at the UNI-Dome, St. Albert continues to defy
odds. But because they reloaded this past year, a number of those athletes
are now seniors and want a fourth straight appearance in Cedar Falls to cap
their career.
3.) Gladbrook-Reinbeck
The Rebels will need to adjust to a new coach but have some serious talent.
Lineman Thomas Reese and Nick Peterson have a good chance to earn All State
honors this season.
4.) West Branch
If the numbers Caleb Walter put up were good as a junior, just wait until his
senior season. The Bears will put a lot of stock into this senior and
don't expect him to disappoint.
5.) Iowa City Regina
The defending champions at #6? The Regals were a senior dominated team
last year and although linebacker Adam Martensen is back, there are a lot of
holes to fill.
6.) Fort Dodge St. Edmond
The Gaels are making the move down from Class 2A and have been thrown in a very
difficult district. But with the athletes this school continues to
produce, look for the team to make another run at a district title.
7.) Mount Ayr
Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, Mount Ayr brings back
standout quarterback Brian Inloes as well as a host of other skilled athletes.
8.) Sioux Central
Sioux Central had a number of juniors earn playing time last year and that will
really pay off this time around.
9.) Underwood
Underwood did not qualify for the playoffs last season but that won't stop them
from making a run this year. Keep a close eye on junior running back
Austin Jager.
10.) West Lyon
Like St. Edmond, they are making the move down from Class 2A and made the
postseason last fall. Can they repeat the feat with a lot of players
graduated?
Class A[/URL]
1.) Algona Garrigan
Yes, it is true that they were hit hard by graduation after making it to the
Class 1A State title game. However, this team is really proving that they
have a great football program as they continue to compete for district titles.
And now that they are in Class A, it will be a benefit to them.
2.) Guthrie Center
The Tigers have one of the best offensive duos in Andrew Meier and Spencer
Railsback. They will have to prove they have enough play along the lines
to make a run at the UNI-Dome but the talent is there.
3.) Madrid
Another team with something to prove along the lines. Madrid has a number
of skilled athletes coming back that will make it tough for the opponent to stop
them.
4.) West Bend-Mallard
The Wolverines have a lot of holes to fill but they have accomplished a great
deal over the past years. Can they avoid rebuilding and instead reload
this time around?
5.) North Mahaska
The defending champions were decimated by graduation and will see a lot of new
faces.
6.) Rockwell City-Lytton
Having athlete Trevor Richardson and running back Dave Sexton will help this
team on both sides of the ball.
7.) Postville
Blaine Grinna returns as one of the top quarterbacks in Class A and will be
hoping to get his team back to the postseason.
8.) Galva-Holstein
All State lineman Daniel Borchers will need to open a lot of holes for the new
skill players.
9.) WACO
Junior Austin McBeth returns after a breakout sophomore year at quarterback.
10.) Riceville
Adam Haacke made a name for himself as a junior and will be even tougher to
block this fall.
8-Man[/URL]
1.) Northeast Hamilton
After making an appearance in the 8-man semifinals, Northeast Hamilton will be
primed to make another run at the UNI-Dome. And with twelve All District
players returning to their lineup, this team has everything it needs for a
potential State title.
2.) St. Mary's Remsen
The champions in 2004 may have fell short of playoffs last year but that won't
stop them from making a run at thing again this year. Drew Hanson will be
primed for a huge year on the ground.
3.) Lamoni
Lamoni lost only one game last season to Lenox but that was enough to keep them
out of the playoffs. But with Keegan Smith and Zach Kotz, they will be the
early favorites in District #7.
4.) Essex
The Trojans season came to an abrupt end to Lenox in the semifinals. But
they were able to win their district and take down a number of tough opponents.
5.) North Kossuth
With Joe Johnson back in the lineup, North Kossuth has one of the top individual
athletes in the state. They must fill some holes but the core is there.
6.) Ar-We-Va
With the passing and catching combination of Michael Hoffman and Jace Hawley,
the Rockets will fight for a playoff berth this fall.
7.) Martensdale-St. Marys
After finishing last regular season 8-1 in Class A, Martensdale-St. Marys is
making the jump down to 8-man football. It will be a different team but
they are one with a chance for a special season.
8.) Nishna Valley
With one of the top linemen in the state in Murphy Mastin, Nishna Valley will
have a chance to make some noise in district #5.
9.) Tri-County
Another team making the jump from Class A, Tri-County has a load of returning
talent that will be put to the test early and often this year.
10.) Glidden-Ralston
The defending champions will have a new look because of graduation but expect
them to fight it out with Ar-We-Va for a playoff berth.
This post was edited on 8/31 12:21 PM by LukeFeddersenif(GetAdminCookie() != 0) {document.write(' (Revisions[/URL])');}
