Week 5 Top 10 Rankings

[Charles86]

Here are my top 10 rankings after 4 weeks of play and going into district competition:

1. West Sioux
2. Dike-New Hartford
3. Van Meter
4. West Lyon
5. South Central Calhoun
6. West Branch
7. Western Christian
8. Treynor
9. Sigourney-Keota
10. Regina, Iowa City

Looking in: Mount Ayr, Underwood, North Linn, Panorama, Mediapolis, ACGC

As district play begins things are really going to heat up and get interesting. There’s going to be some great battles for district titles. Looking forward to these next few weeks ahead.

 

[rc1963]

So, you're leaving out some district champs because you don't think they'd advance to the top ten in the playoffs? That's fair. But I think if you employ that kind of logic, I don't think 3 teams out of District 1 will make it to the playoffs. At some point, someone is going to have to lose a game or two in that district.

I'm not so sure about jumping Regina into the rankings - Yes, there was good stuff to come out of a quality win over and explosive Williamsburg team. They played disciplined and to keep coming back after being down more than once, showed a lot of resolve. There are still several weaknesses on that team. Success in the district will hinge on if they can improve more than others in the district do. Everybody should be getting better at this point of the season/ There are some improved team across that district, it will be interesting.

The team I'm less impressed with is Sigourney Keota. Yes, they're 4-0, but against teams that are a combined 2-15, two of whom are single A's. Sure they seem to be able to score, I'm just not sold on them being a ranked team. If not them, who? Mepo? Their 3-1 record is against 2 2As and a single A, so a little tougher schedule by class, but 3-1 with wins over a collective 2-10 record and a loss to a 2A 3-1 team. They showed they can hang with quality and should be very competitive in their district schedule now.

It's all really interesting at this point of the year.

 

[Charles86]

So, you're leaving out some district champs because you don't think they'd advance to the top ten in the playoffs? That's fair. But I think if you employ that kind of logic, I don't think 3 teams out of District 1 will make it to the playoffs. At some point, someone is going to have to lose a game or two in that district.

I'm not so sure about jumping Regina into the rankings - Yes, there was good stuff to come out of a quality win over and explosive Williamsburg team. They played disciplined and to keep coming back after being down more than once, showed a lot of resolve. There are still several weaknesses on that team. Success in the district will hinge on if they can improve more than others in the district do. Everybody should be getting better at this point of the season/ There are some improved team across that district, it will be interesting.

The team I'm less impressed with is Sigourney Keota. Yes, they're 4-0, but against teams that are a combined 2-15, two of whom are single A's. Sure they seem to be able to score, I'm just not sold on them being a ranked team. If not them, who? Mepo? Their 3-1 record is against 2 2As and a single A, so a little tougher schedule by class, but 3-1 with wins over a collective 2-10 record and a loss to a 2A 3-1 team. They showed they can hang with quality and should be very competitive in their district schedule now.

It's all really interesting at this point of the year.

Really good opinion. I appreciate the feedback and its great to get some chatter going on this board. Even if Western ends up 7-2 or West Lyon does, I think they both make it.

 

[Hawkhopeful]

The strength of those top seven ranked teams are very solid. 1A looks tougher than 2A in my opinion this year. Anyone know about the youth or longevity of some of these coaching staffs...
Panorama = young and upcoming head coach building a program with a younger assistant or two
ACGC = Recent NW Missouri St. player / young and upcoming coach building a program with his dad assisting
SK = younger staff
Mediapolis = Somewhat younger
Do the top 6-7 have more veteran coaching staffs?

 

[Football211]

So, you're leaving out some district champs because you don't think they'd advance to the top ten in the playoffs? That's fair. But I think if you employ that kind of logic, I don't think 3 teams out of District 1 will make it to the playoffs. At some point, someone is going to have to lose a game or two in that district.

I'm not so sure about jumping Regina into the rankings - Yes, there was good stuff to come out of a quality win over and explosive Williamsburg team. They played disciplined and to keep coming back after being down more than once, showed a lot of resolve. There are still several weaknesses on that team. Success in the district will hinge on if they can improve more than others in the district do. Everybody should be getting better at this point of the season/ There are some improved team across that district, it will be interesting.

The team I'm less impressed with is Sigourney Keota. Yes, they're 4-0, but against teams that are a combined 2-15, two of whom are single A's. Sure they seem to be able to score, I'm just not sold on them being a ranked team. If not them, who? Mepo? Their 3-1 record is against 2 2As and a single A, so a little tougher schedule by class, but 3-1 with wins over a collective 2-10 record and a loss to a 2A 3-1 team. They showed they can hang with quality and should be very competitive in their district schedule now.

It's all really interesting at this point of the year.

Sigourney Keota’s closest game has been against 1-3 class A pekin, 34-14. If you look on quikstats, pekin had 7 turnovers. Very well could’ve been a much closer game against a below average at best A team

 

[Charles86]

The strength of those top seven ranked teams are very solid. 1A looks tougher than 2A in my opinion this year. Anyone know about the youth or longevity of some of these coaching staffs...
Panorama = young and upcoming head coach building a program with a younger assistant or two
ACGC = Recent NW Missouri St. player / young and upcoming coach building a program with his dad assisting
SK = younger staff
Mediapolis = Somewhat younger
Do the top 6-7 have more veteran coaching staffs?

West Lyon has a veteran staff with Rozeboom leading the charge. They also have a lot of former players I believe coming back and helping coach. DNH’s head coach has been with the program since the 90s when he was the defensive coordinator. A few other coaches have been there since the 90s and they also have some former players that are now on the staff. I think it’s great to see some of these programs have former players come back to be part of the staff and share their knowledge and experiences of the game.

 

[MepoDawg#]

The strength of those top seven ranked teams are very solid. 1A looks tougher than 2A in my opinion this year. Anyone know about the youth or longevity of some of these coaching staffs...
Panorama = young and upcoming head coach building a program with a younger assistant or two
ACGC = Recent NW Missouri St. player / young and upcoming coach building a program with his dad assisting
SK = younger staff
Mediapolis = Somewhat younger
Do the top 6-7 have more veteran coaching staffs?

While Mepo’s coaching staff is somewhat younger this is their 11th season there so I’d consider them a veteran group with big game experience.

 

[Pinehawk]

I just checked and Western Christian's four opponents are a combined 1-15 to start the season. That helps get off to a nice start.
As mentioned previously, Sigourney-Keota's opponents are 2-15.
Treynor's opponents are 3-13.

I still think we have a clear top 3...and then everybody else.

 

[MsideChief]

The other District 1 schools:
West Sioux’s opponents are a combined 4-12.
West Lyon’s opponents are a combined 2-14.

I would agree with Pinehawk - West Sioux, DNH, and VM are a pretty clear cut top 3.

 

[Charles86]

Outside of those top 3 mentioned and in the rankings, I firmly believe West Lyon is a top 5 team. The experience they brought back from last year is extremely valuable. They are without a doubt top 5. SSC and West Branch would be a good game. Both teams have tough defenses. I gave the nod to SSC just because I think they have a few more athletes. But I can see it being a close decision with those two teams at 5 and 6.

 

[usfhawk]

The other District 1 schools:
West Sioux’s opponents are a combined 4-12.
West Lyon’s opponents are a combined 2-14.

I would agree with Pinehawk - West Sioux, DNH, and VM are a pretty clear cut top 3.

I don't think you can throw West Lyon out of that conversation. They have 3 common opponents with West Sioux and have beat two of them by more than West Sioux did.

West Sioux/BHRV 63-35
West Lyon/BHRV 52-28

West Sioux/CLGLR 43-21
West Lyon/CLGLR 35-0

West Sioux/Sioux Center 24-6
West Lyon/Sioux Center 35-0

 

[rc1963]

So, when we're talking strength of schedule, my mind turns to BC Moore. I don't like using it as a ranking method, but there's some really good analysis built there.

Regarding Western Christian, he shows them with the 7th toughest schedule in 1A and number three in defense (anybody still believe "Defense wins championships?")

Interestingly DNH, drops to number 5 on his analysis, largely due to strength of schedule, but he shows them as the number 1 defense. Not sure about the interplay of schedule strength and defensive performance. I guess there's a reason we still ask them to suit up and actually play the games ;-)

But I don't fully understand how he computes strength of schedule. He has Osage as the number 1 toughest schedule, yet they had 2 single A opponents. I would think West Lyon, with 2 2A matchups in ND play and the rest of their schedule in the gold standard D1, they'd be higher than 5th in that category.

 

[Charles86]

So, when we're talking strength of schedule, my mind turns to BC Moore. I don't like using it as a ranking method, but there's some really good analysis built there.

Regarding Western Christian, he shows them with the 7th toughest schedule in 1A and number three in defense (anybody still believe "Defense wins championships?")

Interestingly DNH, drops to number 5 on his analysis, largely due to strength of schedule, but he shows them as the number 1 defense. Not sure about the interplay of schedule strength and defensive performance. I guess there's a reason we still ask them to suit up and actually play the games ;-)

But I don't fully understand how he computes strength of schedule. He has Osage as the number 1 toughest schedule, yet they had 2 single A opponents. I would think West Lyon, with 2 2A matchups in ND play and the rest of their schedule in the gold standard D1, they'd be higher than 5th in that category.

Well one of the single A teams that Osage played was West Hancock who I would put in the top 10 of 1A. Despite the combined record of their opponents, I have zero issue putting West Lyon on a top tier line of teams this season.

 

[rc1963]

I don't think you can throw West Lyon out of that conversation. They have 3 common opponents with West Sioux and have beat two of them by more than West Sioux did.

West Sioux/BHRV 63-35
West Lyon/BHRV 52-28

West Sioux/CLGLR 43-21
West Lyon/CLGLR 35-0

West Sioux/Sioux Center 24-6
West Lyon/Sioux Center 35-0

West Lyon is currently at the top of BC Moore as well. They have the 5th toughest schedule, 7th ranked offense and 9th ranked defense. So, anybody who can get through district 1 play either undefeated or one loss is going to pop to the top pretty easily.

One weakness of BC Moore is that offensive production always drives the statistics. So, A team who runs up a score does benefit in those rankings versus a team who rests starters, gives younger players experience. Now, those who pull starters and still perform on both sides of the ball are correctly stronger teams.

Good catch keeping West Lyon in the conversation for the top spots.

 

[usfhawk]

Interesting stat I found.

1A district 1 teams are 12-2 against 2A opponents and 1-0 against 3A opponents.

 

[rc1963]

Interesting stat I found.

1A district 1 teams are 12-2 against 2A opponents and 1-0 against 3A opponents.

and 20-4 overall tied for the best district record in ND play (tied with D8)

 

[rk#5]

I just checked and Western Christian's four opponents are a combined 1-15 to start the season. That helps get off to a nice start.
As mentioned previously, Sigourney-Keota's opponents are 2-15.
Treynor's opponents are 3-13.

I still think we have a clear top 3...and then everybody else.

If you dive into the schedules even more, Western, West Lyon, and West Sioux played a lot of common opponents. CL-GLR and BHRV played all 3. Sioux Center and MOC played 2 of the 3. Records of opponents will look bad when they are playing top teams.