Valley-Dowling

[Tdub14]

What is the date that these 2 will most likely meet in the playoffs? Will they play before the semi-finals at the Uni-Dome? Thanks.

 

[DSMan]

well assuming Dowling is 8-0 and Valley 8-1, and considering strength of schedule, they will probably be put in the same bracket to play in the semi's. They were supposed to play in the semi's last year but Valley lost to Waukee in the 1/4 finals.

 

[PNation]

There is no set bracket, the state pairs teams after each round. My guess is that it will be Dowling hosting either Ankeny or Johnston and Valley will probably have to go to Fort Dodge in the quarters. I would assume that both teams will be favored to get to the semis. The only way I could see them not making it is if the state deemed Fort Dodge the #1 overall seed in the west instead of Dowling due to a 9-0 record compared to 8-0 and Valley as the #3 seed, so technically they could play in the quarters.

 

[paxregis]

I was curious as to how many times Valley & Dowling had met in the semis. Surprisingly, it's only been three times (2000, 2005 & 2013) They've met in a playoff rematch 17 times. Four of those were quarterfinals and ten times in the round of 16. Back in the 80s & 90s they met nine times in the first round.

 

[screwloose]

There's no guarantee that Fort Dodge will be undefeated, they do play Waukee still. Seems unlikely Fort Dodge is anything less than 8-1, though again, maybe Urbandale trips them up. So, Fort Dodge could be a #2 seed, when the playoffs come around(if they lose to Waukee). If Valley, Dowling, Ankeny and Waukee are the #1s, I'd be very surprised if those West Des Moines schools are paired up before the semis. It's not without precedence though, you know that game would be a HUGE ca$h cow quarterfinal match-up for the state.

 

[DSMan]

@paxregis, yeah the IHSAA had terrible playoff pairings in the 90s. Wasn't there a time where Dowling was ranked No 1 and had to go to Olsen Stadium against a three loss team? The irony is they ended up losing.