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Iowa High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - Oct. 21

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•10/21/24•

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Dowling Catholic vs Southeast Polk - Iowa high school football
Dowling Catholic Maroons Ra'Shawd Davis (24) splits the Southeast Polk Rams defense at Valley Stadium The Maroons beat the Rams 35 to 34. (© Reese Strickland/For the Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Iowa On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Oct. 21 features minimal changes, with only two teams swapping spots. However, there’s a new team at the summit compared to last week’s rankings. Here’s how Iowa high school football’s best teams are ranked, with the playoffs just around the corner.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

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1. Dowling Catholic

The Maroons are on a five-game winning streak after escaping with a one-point win against Southeast Polk. Despite the Rams scoring 14 fourth-quarter points, Dowling Catholic survived to secure their seventh win in eight games.

RaShawd Davis led the way with 25 carries for 163 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Parker DePhillips had 203 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Jacob Skau had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. The Maroons will try to extend their streak to six games as they visit Sioux City North on the 25th.

2. Valley

The Tigers’ winning streak ended at five games after losing to Ankeny by three points. While both teams had six third-down conversions, two turnovers, and two interceptions, the Hawks found an edge against the Valley.

Despite the loss, there are some commendable performances from Valley, including King Coleman’s 14 carries for 110 yards, while Darius Mason added 94 rushing yards. After falling to 6-2, the Tigers can bounce back when they host Marshalltown on Oct. 25.

3. Johnston

The Dragons have turned their season around after losing two of their last three games. They are on a five-game winning streak after dominating Urbandale 56-14. Johnston’s offense is in high gear, as they scored 56 points in each of their last two games.

Will Nuss finished with 334 passing yards and two touchdowns, while D’Angelo Barkue had three rushing touchdowns. Nathan King added four receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown. The Dragons will close out the 2024 Iowa high school football regular season by hosting Sioux City East on the 25th.

4. Ankeny Centennial

The Jaguars have regained their confidence after scoring back-to-back wins, including their latest 28-10 triumph against the Northwest Wolves. Save for their two losses, Ankeny Centennial had never allowed a 20-point scorer in their wins. The Jaguars will have a home match versus Urbandale before the playoffs occur.

5. Ankeny

The Hawks pulled off an upset victory over second-ranked Valley thanks to Luke Anderson’s rushing touchdown and placekicker Ryan Harrington’s two field goals and an extra point. Meanwhile, Daniel Larmie had 22 carries for 100 rushing yards. Ankeny can improve to 6-4 with a victory against Washington on Oct. 24.

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6. Southeast Polk

It was a bitter loss for the Rams as they came up two points short of securing a victory. However, there are some commendable players in the loss, including quarterback Holden Hansen’s 315 passing yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Kaden Hills had seven receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown. Currently, at 4-4, Southeast Polk can secure a winning record by defeating Lincoln on the road on Oct. 24.

7. Bettendorf

The Bulldogs remain undefeated after eight games. They escaped with a one-point victory over Prairie (48-47), wherein Jackson Laver finished with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns. Hayden Morrison had 113 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Will Taylor had 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns.  Bettendorf will close their 2024 Iowa high school football regular season by visiting Iowa City on Oct. 25.

8. Liberty

The Lightning scored a season-high 63 points against Waterloo West, with Reece Rettig leading the way with 14 completions for 282 passing yards and six touchdowns. Sutton Koller had 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Collin Decker had two receiving touchdowns. Liberty can improve to 8-1 by scoring a road victory over Jefferson on Oct. 25.

9. West Lyon

The Wildcats are still undefeated after eight games. Their latest result was a 41-7 domination of Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, in which Evan Hildring paced the offense with 20 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns. West Lyon also generated points courtesy of touchdowns by Bryson Childress, Easton DeJong, and Jorden Meyer. The Wildcats’ next match will be in the first round of the 2024 Iowa high school football Class 2A playoffs against Garner-Hayfield/Ventura on Oct. 25.

10. Pleasant Valley

The Spartans’ six-game winning streak ended via a 49-35 loss to Iowa City West. Harrison Fierce had a passing touchdown and two rushing scores, while Elijah Rodney had 103 rushing yards. Joey VanWetzinga had a pair of touchdowns in the defeat. Next on Pleasant Valley’s schedule is a home game versus Linn-Mar on the 25th.

Teams 11-25 in the latest Iowa High School Football Rankings

11. North Polk
12. Linn-Mar
13. Waukee
14. Cedar Falls
15. Pella
16. Lewis Central
17. Decorah
18. ADM
19. Sergeant Bluff-Luton
20. Wahlert Catholic
21. Humboldt
22. Williamsburg
23. Grundy Center
24. Waukee Northwest
25. PCM