Iowa High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 23
The Iowa On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list for Sept. 23 showed some movement in the top ten. Two teams improved their standings, while another dropped two spots. Prairie and Williamsburg also switched places in the tail end of the Iowa high school football top team rankings.
Only two of the top ten teams and four more from 11 to 25 have remained undefeated through the first four weeks of action. Here’s how the state’s best football teams fared after the latest round of games.
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. Valley
Previous: No. 1
After a bitter loss to Dowling Catholic, the Tigers have completed two straight victories after a 42-25 decision over tenth-ranked Waukee. Valley outscored Waukee in the second half, 21-8, thanks mainly to two touchdown passes by Drake DeGroote to Zay Robinson. The Tigers will close their September schedule with a road game against Ames on the 27th.
2. Dowling Catholic
Previous: No. 2
After losing to Ankeny on Sept. 13, the Maroons bounced back with a victory against Northwest, 21-14. Ra’Shawd Davis carried Dowling Catholic’s offense, tallying 23 carries for 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Dowling Catholic will host Roosevelt on Sept. 27 with an opportunity to earn their fourth victory in five games.
3. Ankeny Centennial
Previous: No. 3
The Jaguars have retained the third spot in the Iowa high school football top 25 rankings despite losing to fifth-ranked Southeast Polk, 21-13. As a consolation, Ankeny Centennial had more yards on offense (255) than the Rams (243). The Jaguars get a breather when they face Des Moines East on Sept. 27. However, they’ll have another challenging grind against second-ranked Dowling Catholic on Oct. 4.
4. Lewis Central
Previous: No. 4
The Titans cruised to a 24-14 over Bondurant-Farrar, earning their fourth victory in as many games. Brady Hetzel had two passing touchdowns, and the Lewis Central rushing attack generated 255 yards from the ground. Meanwhile, the Titans’ defense completed seven tackles for losses, two fumble recoveries, and an interception against the Bluejays. Lewis Central can go to 5-0 by defeating Glenwood on Friday, Sept. 27.
5. Southeast Polk
Previous: No. 5
It’s been a roller-coaster ride for the Rams during the first four weeks of the 2024 Iowa high school football season. After starting with a loss to Valley, they’ve won against Ankeny, lost to Prairie, and edged Ankeny Centennial. Holden Hansen had a touchdown pass to Kaden Hills in that victory, while Landon Vander Werff added a rushing score. Drew Thompson joined the scoring with a defensive touchdown off a fumble recovery. The Rams will try to secure their first winning streak when they face Sioux City East on the 27th.
6. Bettendorf
Previous: No. 6
The Bulldogs are now at 4-0 following their 27-16 win against 18th-ranked Linn-Mar. Jacob Whipple paced Bettendorf’s offense with 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Hayden Morrison had 82 receiving yards. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ defense finished with 34 tackles, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Bettendorf can maintain their undefeated run by defeating Hempstead on Sept. 27.
7. Pleasant Valley
Previous: No. 8 (+1)
The Spartans have secured three consecutive victories after losing their season-opener against Bettendorf. Thanks to their punishing ground attack, they completed a 38-21 win over the Prairie Hawks this time. Harrison Fierce tallied 89 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Elijah Rodney had 133 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pleasant Valley can improve to 4-1 by defeating Dubuque Senior on the 27th.
8. Ankeny
Previous: No. 9 (+1)
The Hawks moved up the Iowa high school football rankings despite losing 24-7 to ninth-ranked Johnston. Just when they built momentum after defeating Dowling Catholic, they ended up with only one touchdown in a rushing play by Daniel Larmie. Worst yet, Luke Anderson threw four interceptions versus the Dragons. Ankeny can secure their second victory in five games when they battle with Iowa City West in their next match.
9. Johnston
Previous: No. 7 (-2)
In their victory over the Hawks, D’Angelo Barkue had 173 rushing yards, while Will Nuss had two rushing touchdowns. Now that they’re back at .500 (2-2), the Dragons can have a winning record by defeating Waukee in their next match.
10. Waukee
Previous: No. 10
The Warriors absorbed their first loss this season against top-ranked Valley, 42-25. However, that game still has positives, starting with Beckett Bakker’s 189 passing yards and a touchdown throw to Evan Jacobson. Meanwhile, Grant Gammell had 79 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jai White’s 94-yard kick return touchdown also kept Waukee’s hopes alive. Defeating Johnston in their next match will prevent Waukee from dealing with a losing skid.
Teams 11-25 in the latest Iowa High School Football Rankings
11. North Polk Junior-Senior
12. Pella
13. Cedar Falls
14. Liberty
15. West Lyon
16. Western Dubuque
17. Solon
18. Linn-Mar
19. Humboldt
20. Prairie (+1)
21. Williamsburg (-1)
22. ADM
23. Xavier
24. Indianola
25. Waukee Northwest