Iowa High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – October 14

The top teams in Iowa high school football solidified their position after another round of play in October. Although there isn’t much movement in the top 25 list in the Iowa On3 Massey Ratings as of October 14, one team has cracked the list.

Now only seven of the 25 ranked teams remain undefeated as the season nears its goal. These teams may be far from the top 100 in the country, but the competition is in for a thrilling finish.

The On3 Massey ReviewsOfficially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams based on analysis of game results, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

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The West Des Moines Tigers earned their first shutout win of the 2024 Iowa high school football season. Valley not only defeated the Waterloo West Wahawks, but also scored a season-high of 49 points. The Tigers were so dominant that Kellen Hove, Drake DeGroote and Beau Lombardi recorded touchdown passes.

After seven games, Valley has the state’s top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense. While they have seemed unstoppable lately, the Tigers will face a formidable challenge in their next game with 10th-ranked Ankeny.

After completing a 49-28 masterclass over Urbandale, the Maroons are on a four-game winning streak. While the J-Hawks made the final lead more respectable, it should be noted that Dowling Catholic was already ahead 35-7 at halftime.

Although the Maroons’ defense ranks fourth in the country, losing 63 points in their last two games is certainly concerning. Giving away so many points could lead to an unfavorable outcome in the next game against fourth-place Southeast Polk.

The Dragons haven’t let up in their last four games. Not only did they outscore their opponents 135-21, they also knocked off fourth-place Southeast Polk (34-0) and scored a season-high 56 points against the Lincoln Lynx. Johnston had a defensive touchdown against Lincoln, thanks to Bryan Beachem’s 30-yard interception return.

Johnson has defied the odds in his last few games. They won against Ankeny, Waukee and Southeast Polk, even though Massey had ratings projected against them. After surviving this gauntlet, the Dragons should have an easier time in their next two games against Urbandale and Sioux City East.

After a shocking shutout loss to Johnston, the Rams bounced back by surviving 12 games^ThWaukee’s highest ranked challenge. This win pushes their record to over .500 and should give them momentum at the end of their season.

Despite losing three games, Southeast Polk boasts the top-ranked defense in Iowa high school football. The Rams need this unit to excel when they face second-place Dowling Catholic in their next game.

The Bulldogs improved to 7-0 after a close win over Davenport Central. It is the first time Bettendorf has eliminated an opponent this season and the third time they have limited an opponent to fewer than ten points.

Bettendorf has the chance to win all games in the regular season. However, Prairie or Iowa City could pull off an upset that could hand the Bulldogs their first loss of the year. They have no chance of winning both games as Massey Ratings has given them a win probability of 66 and 55 percent respectively.

The Spartans live up to their school’s name. Pleasingly, they are on a six-game winning streak. They could have remained unbeaten if they hadn’t missed a point against Bettendorf.

However, they have the second-best offense in Iowa high school football, averaging 40.28 points per game. That offensive power will be helpful in the next two games against Iowa City West and Linn-Mar.

After losing two straight games to Southeast Polk and Dowling Catholic, the Jaguars returned to winning ways with a 45-3 win over Roosevelt. It is the lowest performance they have given an opponent this season.

Ankeny Centennial can finish their season solidly provided they maintain the level of performance they showed against the Roughriders. However, that is easier said than done as they will be fighting with 18 players^Th-Rank Waukee Northwest for a chance at a 6-2 record.

The Titans maintained their unbeaten record after defeating Winterset 28-24. Brady Hetzel led the way on offense, completing 71.4 percent of his passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Leo Tatum and Parker Stessman combined for 12 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

The 28 points against Winterset are the second-lowest point total in the entire 2024 Iowa high school football season. However, they shouldn’t have any problems picking up the points in their next game at home against Norwalk.

The Lightning have found a way to win their last four games. They won by one possession against Cedar Falls, Prairie, Cedar Rapids and Ankeny. The Liberty defense came into its own when it mattered most against the Hawks, with Sutton Koller leading the way with 10 tackles.

Owen Drapeaux had five tackles and a fumble recovery, while Logan Laubenthal had an interception. While the Lightning will play their next two games on the road, they should have no trouble defeating Waterloo West and Jefferson.

The Hawks remain in the top ten despite a turbulent season. They suffered their fourth loss in seven games against Liberty, ending their two-game winning streak. Despite the loss to the Lightning, Ankeny is still the second-best defensive team in the state.

Unfortunately, the Hawks’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. They have a game against top-ranked Valley this week and Cedar Rapids Washington next week.

11. North Pole
12. Waukee
13. West Lyon
14. Linn-Mar
15. Pella
16. Decorah
17. Cedar Falls
18. Waukee Northwest
19. A.D.M
20. Wahlert Catholic
21. Iowa City High
22. Williamsburg
23. Grundy Center
24. Xavier
25. Humboldt