Iowa’s eight‑player football landscape is gearing up for another dramatic season, with eight districts promising tight races and offenses that routinely push the scoreboard into the 70s. The combination of seasoned returnees and fresh talent creates a narrative rich with potential playoff upsets and breakout performances.
Defending Champions and Early Favorites
Bishop Garrigan entered the season as one of the two defending state champions, while Marty Wadle also finished the previous year atop the standings. Both programs will look to translate that championship pedigree into another dominant campaign.
Remsen St. Mary’s, after a forfeit‑riddled 2025, is back with a vengeance. The team returns quarterback Dalton Klein and his top receiver Beau Johnson, the duo that helped the club average 70 points per game last season. Their chemistry should keep the offense humming.
Key Players to Watch
Newell‑Fonda brings back a potent trio — Gunnar Baron, Jackson Bellcock and Andrew Greenfield — who refined their playbooks over the offseason and are expected to push the offense even higher. Iowa Valley, which posted a 60‑point per game average in 2025, will lean on returning quarterback Nolan Kriegel, whose experience could make them a dark‑horse contender.
Woodbine, the 2025 runners‑up, boasts the state’s most coveted prospect, Landon Blum, who logged 60 receptions for 1,049 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Don Bosco, averaging nearly 50 points per game, returns quarterback Brady Brasch and running back Zander Youngblut, both of whom contributed to a relentless attack.
Nathan Moon of Clarksville shattered records with 2,268 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns, positioning him as a focal point for any playoff push. Audubon’s offense features Aiden Kjergaard, who threw for 815 yards and 12 scores, and Mason Kasperbauer, who amassed 900 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, giving the team a balanced threat.
Edgewood‑Colesburg’s Jax Steger led an explosive unit that scored over 50 points per game, throwing for 1,858 yards and 29 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gladbrook‑Reinbeck, riding a streak of three consecutive 10‑win seasons and a 15‑year run of winning campaigns that dates back to 2016, will look to add another championship to its storied history.
Projected Playoff Contenders
Analysts expect a tight race for the final playoff spots, with teams like Bishop Garrigan, Woodbine, and Don Bosco leading the pack. Dark‑horse candidates such as Iowa Valley and Newell‑Fonda could surprise if their offenses click early, while the defensive adjustments required on shorter fields will test each squad’s adaptability.