Week’s Top Games Set the Stage
The newest Radio Iowa high school football rankings have sparked excitement as several programs break into the Top‑10 across multiple classes. Fresh entrants such as Ankeny in Class 5A, Carlisle in Class 4A, West Delaware in Class 3A, Okoboji in Class 2A and Clarksville in the eight‑player division join established powers, while traditional contenders continue to jostle for position.
In Class 5A, Dowling Catholic holds the No. 1 spot and will square off against second‑ranked Johnston in a much‑anticipated showdown. The clash pits the top‑seeded team against its nearest rival and promises to be a litmus test for the division’s hierarchy.
Class 4A sees Cedar Rapids Xavier still perched at the summit, but Lewis Central has climbed to third after a steady rise, while Western Dubuque sits fourth. The upcoming fixtures — Xavier versus Western Dubuque and Lewis Central against Sergeant Bluff‑Luton — could offer early clues about which squads might dominate the later stages of the tournament.
Rising Talent in Lower Divisions
Movement is also evident in the lower classes. Alburnett has vaulted from fifth to second in Class 2A, and Williamsburg improved from seventh to fourth in Class 3A, underscoring the competitive depth. Meanwhile, Kuemper Catholic, West Lyon, West Sioux and Audubon remain the top‑ranked teams in their respective brackets, maintaining a strong presence across the state.
Beyond the rankings, the schedule adds another layer of intrigue. The Titans are slated to meet Sergeant Bluff‑Luton on Friday night, a matchup that could further reshape the playoff picture. As the season progresses, these games are likely to provide the first tangible hints about which programs might emerge as serious contenders for the state semifinals.