Des Moines, Iowa – As the crisp autumn days settle in, the Iowa high school football scene is heating up as teams get ready for the state playoffs. The On3 Massey Ratings, a well-respected ranking model that assesses teams based on game results, strength of schedule, and winning margins, released their latest top 25 list, revealing some shifts among the top ten teams as of October 30.
Leading the rankings, Dowling Catholic showcased their strength by crushing Sioux City North with a commanding score of 46-6. With this victory, the Maroons boosted their record to an impressive seven wins out of nine games. They will head into the Class 5A state tournament facing Cedar Falls on November 1 at Mediacom Stadium.
Coming in second place, Valley also wrapped up their regular season strong with a decisive 35-8 win against Marshalltown, bringing their record to 7-2. Renowned for their offensive firepower, the Tigers will take on Sioux City East in the opening round of the playoffs. The Dragons, who are now riding a six-game winning streak after a tough start to the season, ended their regular schedule with a significant 35-14 victory over Sioux City East.
Meanwhile, Ankeny Centennial solidified their playoff position with an impressive 49-7 win over Urbandale. The Jaguars have shown tremendous defensive skills, limiting three of their last five opponents to under ten points. They are set to clash against Iowa City High, which concluded their regular season with a 5-4 record after a shutout win over Lincoln.
The playoffs are not just about teams with strong offensive stats; Pleasant Valley highlights strong defensive abilities, leading Iowa high school teams in defense, and will face Linn-Mar in their first playoff match-up. With the playoffs around the corner, the excitement builds as top teams gear up for intense competition.
As the playoffs kick off, fans and teams alike are ready for what promises to be an exhilarating end to the high school football season in Iowa.
