Iowa

Iowa High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – Oct. 14

Published

3 months ago

October 15, 2024

Iowa High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams – Oct. 14

The top teams in Iowa high school football have solidified their positions after another round of games in October. However, while there’s not much movement in the Iowa On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Oct. 14, one team cracked the list.

Meanwhile, only seven of the 25 ranked teams remain undefeated as the season approaches its home stretch. These teams might be far from the top 100 in the nation, but the competition is shaping up for an exciting finish.

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.

CLICK HERE to watch your high school’s games on NFHS Network now!

The Tigers from West Des Moines earned their first shutout victory of the 2024 Iowa high school football season. In addition to blanking the Waterloo West Wahawks, Valley tied their season-high of 49 points. The Tigers were so dominant that Kellen Hove, Drake DeGroote, and Beau Lombardi registered touchdown passes.

After seven games, Valley has the state’s top-ranked offense and fifth on defense. While they look unstoppable as of late, the Tigers will face a formidable challenge in tenth-ranked Ankeny in their next game.

After completing a 49-28 masterclass over Urbandale, the Maroons are on a four-game winning streak. While the J-Hawks made the final margin more respectable, it should be noted that Dowling Catholic was already up 35-7 at halftime.

However, while the Maroons’ defense is ranked fourth within the state, surrendering 63 points in their last two games is quite a concern. Giving that many points might lead to an unfavorable outcome in their next match against fourth-ranked Southeast Polk.

The Dragons have not let up in their last four games. In addition to outscoring their opponents 135-21, they’ve shut out fourth-ranked Southeast Polk (34-0) and scored a season-high 56 points against the Lincoln Lynx. Johnston had a defensive touchdown versus Lincoln, courtesy of Bryan Beachem’s 30-yard interception return.

Johnson has defied the odds in their recent games. They’ve won against Ankeny, Waukee, and Southeast Polk, even if Massey Ratings predicted against them. After surviving that gauntlet, the Dragons should have an easier time against Urbandale and Sioux City East in their next two games.

After a shocking shutout loss to Johnston, the Rams bounced back by surviving 12^th-ranked Waukee’s challenge. That victory brings their record above .500 and should give them momentum as they finish their season.

Despite losing three games, Southeast Polk has the top-ranked defense in Iowa high school football. The Rams need that unit to be excellent when they face second-ranked Dowling Catholic in their next match.

The Bulldogs have improved to 7-0 after a shutout victory over Davenport Central. It’s the first time Bettendorf blanked an opponent this season and the third time they’ve limited an opponent to less than ten points.

Bettendorf has a shot at winning all its regular-season matches. However, Prairie or Iowa City might pull off a shocker that can hand the Bulldogs their first loss this year. They are not a lock to win both games, as Massey Ratings gave them win probabilities of 66 percent and 55 percent, respectively.

The Spartans are living up to their school’s name. They have pleasantly established a six-game winning streak. They could have been undefeated if they hadn’t come up short by a point against Bettendorf.

However, they have the second-best offense in Iowa high school football, averaging 40.28 points per game. That offensive power will be helpful against Iowa City West and Linn-Mar in their next two games.

After dropping back-to-back games against Southeast Polk and Dowling Catholic, the Jaguars returned to their winning ways in a 45-3 demolition of Roosevelt. It’s the lowest output they’ve given to an opponent this season.

Ankeny Centennial can complete a solid finish to their season, granted they maintain the performance level displayed against the Roughriders. It’s easier said than done, though, because they will battle with 18^th-ranked Waukee Northwest for a shot at a 6-2 record.

The Titans maintained their undefeated record after edging the Winterset 28-24. Brady Hetzel led the way on offense by completing 71.4 percent of his passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Leo Tatum and Parker Stessman combined for 12 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

The 28 points against Winterset is their second-lowest total throughout the 2024 Iowa high school football season. However, they should have no problems putting up the points at home against Norwalk in their next game.

The Lightning have found a way to win their last four games. They’ve won against Cedar Falls, Prairie, Cedar Rapids, and Ankeny by one possession. The Liberty defense showed up when it mattered most against the Hawks, with Sutton Koller leading with ten tackles.

Owen Drapeaux had five tackles and a fumble recovery, while Logan Laubenthal had an interception. While the Lightning will go on the road for the next two games, they should have no problems defeating Waterloo West and Jefferson.

The Hawks remain in the top ten despite their season going topsy-turvy. They suffered their fourth loss in seven games against Liberty, ending their two-game winning streak. Despite losing to the Lightning, Ankeny is still the state’s second-best defensive team.

Unfortunately, the Hawks’ schedule doesn’t get easier. They have a game against top-ranked Valley this week and Cedar Rapids Washington next week.

11. North Polk
12. Waukee
13. West Lyon
14. Linn-Mar
15. Pella
16. Decorah
17. Cedar Falls
18. Waukee Northwest
19. ADM
20. Wahlert Catholic
21. Iowa City High
22. Williamsburg
23. Grundy Center
24. Xavier
25. Humboldt

Source link

Iowa

A vote for Tim Winter is a vote for Iowa Democrats’ self-determination

Published

3 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

A vote for Tim Winter is a vote for Iowa Democrats’ self-determination

Julie Russell-Steuart served two terms as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Disability Caucus (2020-2024) and is a disability rights advocate, rural organizer, and artist creating community and power through creativity. Founder of Power of the Press Iowa printing workshops. IGs @Caveworks and @PowerofthePress

Organizing, as I define it, is the practice of bringing people together in solidarity for mutual benefit. The Iowa Democratic Party’s current chair, Rita Hart, recognized in her action plan that this is the keyword going forward for Democratic success: “The first goal for all organizing in 2025 should be more people doing more things—rural, urban, suburban—everywhere.”

This is a belated goal, honestly. The IDP had no dedicated, paid organizers on the ground in the last election cycle, and it was a consequential decision on resources. I got emails from the party asking for donations of $2.00, $1 per targeted race and every time I thought, “Why can’t we ask for four bucks to send the second and fourth Congressional districts a dollar each too? Why is my state party laser focused on complying with national Democrats’ goals, instead of Iowa Democrats’ actual organizing needs?”

I don’t know about you, but I found those emails disappointing. They represented lost opportunity and misplaced loyalty.

(more…)

Iowa

Preview: Wisconsin Restarts Big Ten Play Hosting Iowa

Published

13 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Preview: Wisconsin Restarts Big Ten Play Hosting Iowa

Iowa (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin (10-3, 0-2 Big Ten)

Date/Time – Friday, January 3, 6 p.m.

Arena – Kohl Center (16,838)

Watch – FS1 (Connor Onion and LaPhonso Ellis)

Radio – Badgers Radio Network (Matt Lepay and Brian Butch), Sirius 106 or 195, stream online on iHeartRadio.

Series – Wisconsin leads 89-86 (Wisconsin leads 56-30 in Madison)

Last Meeting – Iowa won, 88-86, in overtime on February 17, 2024, in Iowa City

Follow Online: The Badgers’ Den

Twitter: @Badger_Blitz

Betting line: Wisconsin -5.5

Projected Starting Five (Wisconsin)

Player to Watch: Despite struggling offensively, shooting a career-worst 32.5 percent from the floor, Klesmit leads Wisconsin with 38 assists and has a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio, the second-best mark on the team.

Projected Starting Five (Iowa)

Player to watch: Dix is averaging 15 points and 4.6 rebounds, shooting 56.6 percent from the field (43-of-76) with 13 3-point field goals over his last seven games. Dix scored 17 points on 8-for-11 shooting in last February’s win over Wisconsin.

Series Notes

Wisconsin had its four-game winning streak in the series snapped in last February’s overtime loss in Iowa City.

The Badgers have won the last three meetings in Madison. The Hawkeyes have won three games in Madison during the McCaffery era (2011-12, 2016-17, 2020-21).

Crowl scored 22 points in the last meeting against Iowa, registering career-bests in field goals (13) and field goal attempts (15). In five career games against Iowa, the senior averages 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, all while shooting 64.3% from the field.

Wisconsin Notes

The Badgers finished the nonconference schedule 10-1, losing only at No.5 Marquette. The 10 wins were the most for Wisconsin out of conference since going 11-2 in 2016-17. UW beat four Power-Five conference teams in the nonconference (Arizona, Butler, Pittsburgh, and UCF), its most since 2018-19.

Wisconsin leads the NCAA in free-throw shooting at 85.1 percent, well ahead of the Big Ten record of 81.8 percent that Wisconsin set in 2010-11.

The Badgers are averaging 15.0 assists per game, their most since 1993-94. With UW ranking 18th nationally in turnovers (9.6), the program has never had a season averaging over 15 assists with fewer than 10 turnovers per game.

UW is taking 27 three-point shots per game and making 8.8 three-pointers per game, the most in both categories for the Badgers since the inception of the three-point line in 1986-87.

With a career record of 104-72, Greg Gard is one of 23 Big Ten coaches to register 100 conference wins. He’s the sixth-fastest Big Ten coach to 100 wins in the last 50 years. Gard’s overall record is 196-110 (.641).

Iowa Notes

Friday’s game at Wisconsin is just Iowa’s second true road game of the season. The Hawkeyes had a look at the buzzer in an 85-83 loss at Michigan on Dec. 7. Iowa is 2-1 in three neutral site games this season.

The Hawkeyes have shot better than 50 percent from the floor in three straight contests and in seven games this season. Iowa shot a season-high 62.7 percent in its victory over New Orleans. Iowa is unbeaten this season when shooting at least 50 percent from the field.

The Hawkeyes have made at least eight 3-point field goals in 12 games, including 10+ in seven contests. Iowa made 18 in the win over Southern — the most since 2022 — and 14 against New Orleans. Iowa is second in the Big Ten (23rd nationally), averaging 10.5 per game.

Iowa is leading the Big Ten in assists (20.2, second in NCAA) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.98, fourth in NCAA). The team has had 20+ assists in six games.

Iowa has held 11 of its 13 opponents under 50 percent shooting (and two under 40 percent), has forced at least 18 turnovers in six games, and has held four opponents under 70 points.

Prediction

Wisconsin’s home game against Iowa tonight might be the hottest ticket in town for those wanting to see offensive fireworks.

The Badgers and Hawkeyes are both inside the top 20 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency ratings and ranked outside the top 75 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Iowa ranks second nationally in scoring (89.7) while KenPom has them ranked in the top 30 in effective field goals percentage (59.0%), offensive turnover percentage (13.6%), 2-point percentage (60.2%) and 3-point percentage (38.3%). A lot of the offense stems from transition offense, another stat where the Hawkeyes are among the national leaders (Iowa’s 17.54 fast-break points per game has them ranked ninth).

Wisconsin’s transition defense has been hit-and-miss. The Badgers allowed double-digit fast-break points to Michigan (19), Arizona (12), and Butler (12) but held Marquette (6) and Illinois (4) in check.

Last February at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa converted 52.6 percent of its shots, including 26 of 43 inside the arc (60.5 percent) and 24 of 30 (80 percent) from the line.

“Having a first game back that requires (us to be good with transition defense) is a challenge,” Gard said.

There are multiple pieces that make Iowa work. Dix is producing in his starting role by shooting 53.4 percent from the floor and Harding used his experience of backing up Tony Freeman last season to pressure defenses by making smart decisions with Iowa’s transition offense (76 assists, 29 turnovers).

The Hawkeyes are still empowered by Freeman, who leads them in scoring (17.1), rebounds (6.5) and blocks (22). He is the only Hawkeye to reach double figures in every game he has played. McCaffery said Freeman will play tonight after missing Monday’s game against New Hampshire with an ankle injury. The Hawkeyes didn’t appear to miss him, as their 45 field goals against UNH were the most under McCaffery.

“Owen is a great player for them with shooters all around him,” Crowl said. “They play really fast. They play hard. They switch things up on defense … He’s a great player. He runs the floor hard, which makes us as bigs have to run, too. They utilize him in a great way. He’s grown immensely from last year to this year.”

Wisconsin ranks among the bottom four of the Big Ten in field goal percentage (44.9) and 3-point percentage (32.5) but the Badgers have made it work by limiting turnovers and being proficient at the line, especially at home (86.9). If UW can continue tightening its defense, the Badgers should get a needed conference win tonight.

Worgull’s Prediction: Wisconsin by nine

Record: 10-3 (9-4 ATS)

Points off Prediction: 104 (8.0 per game)

_________________________________________________

*Chat about this article in The Badgers’ Den

*Check out our videos, interviews, and Q&As on our YouTube channel

*Subscribe and listen to the BadgerBlitz.com podcast (as seen on Apple, Google, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts)

*Follow us on Twitter: @McNamaraRivals, @TheBadgerNation, @RaulV45, @seamus_rohrer, @DonnieSlusher_

*Like us on Facebook

Source link

Iowa

Iowa State Cyclones Transfer Commits to Texas A&M Aggies

Published

21 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Iowa State Cyclones Transfer Commits to Texas A&M Aggies

The Texas A&M Aggies are adding to their defensive line via the transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Per On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Texas A&M has landed a commitment from Iowa State Cyclones defensive line transfer Tyler Onyedim. The Richmond, TX native will return to his home state with one year of eligibility left.

This season, Onyedim finished with 33 total tackles (15 solo), one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. He ends his four-year Iowa State career with 90 total tackles (37 solo), three sacks, one pass breakup and one interception.

Tyler Onyedim stands for a photo during Iowa State Football media day at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. / Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Onyedim and the Cyclones put together an impressive season that ended with a loss in the Big 12 Championship to Arizona State and a 42-41 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He’ll look to bring veteran experience to an A&M team that was one game away from playing in the SEC Championship.

However, the Aggies have lost some major talent on the defensive line since the end of the season. Defensive linemen Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton, and Shemar Stewart all declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Onyedim will be asked to make an immediate impact due to the experience he brings to the table.

The Aggies have now landed portal commitments from tight ends Nate Boerkircher (Nebraska) and Micah Riley (Auburn), receivers Micah Hudson (Texas Tech), KC Concepcion (N.C. State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State), quarterback Jacob Zeno (UAB) and edge rushers T.J. Searcy (Florida), Dayon Hayes (Colorado) and Sam M’Pemba (Georgia).

Texas A&M will look to add more talent to the roster as the program preps for the second season under head coach Mike Elko.

Join the Community:

You can follow us for future coverage by subscribing to our newsletter here. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @AllAggiesOnSI & follow us on Twitter at @TAMUAggiesSI

MORE TEXAS A&M AGGIES NEWS:

Mike Elko Doesn’t Hold Back Against Texas A&M Defense After USC Loss: ‘Can’t Cover!’

Texas A&M Aggies Blow 3-Score Second Half Lead to USC Trojans to Lose Las Vegas Bowl

A Year-By-Year Breakdown of Mike Evans’ Football Career

A Year-By-Year Breakdown of Myles Garrett’s Football Career

Ex Texas A&M Aggies Coach Jimbo Fisher Gives Hook’em Horns Signal at Peach Bowl

Source link