Iowa
Top Iowa high school football Round of 16 playoff games, and our predictions
Henry Lounsbury on Van Meter football’s win over South Tama County
Hear from Van Meter quarterback Henry Lounsbury on the Bulldogs win over South Tama County in the first round of the Iowa high school football playoffs.
The Iowa high school football regular season is over, and now it’s time for the playoffs.
Last week, teams in Class 3A, 4A and 5A wrapped up their regular seasons, while teams in Class A, 1A, 2A and 8-player kicked off the postseason with first-round games. That means it’s all win-or-go-home from here on out, with 16 teams remaining in all seven classes.
This week’s schedule is packed with exciting matchups.
We’re picking 10 games each week of the IHSAA season and attempting to predict the outcomes. Each week, we’ll provide an update on how successful – or unsuccessful – those predictions are.
We finished the regular season with a 63-27 record in our picks, after going 9-1 last week.
Here are our predictions for some of the best Iowa high school football Round of 16 games.
Ankeny Centennial at Johnston
This hasn’t been the Jaguars’ season, and the Dragons have come out on top in games that mattered most. So long as Johnston does what has worked against teams like Ankeny and Southeast Polk, the Dragons should advance to the quarterfinals. Johnston 30, Ankeny Centennial 13
Central DeWitt at Wahlert Catholic
On paper, Central DeWitt looks like the more complete team in this matchup, but Wahlert Catholic came out on top when these teams met in the regular season. That game was less than a month ago, and there’s a chance that the Sabers get their revenge in the postseason. Wahlert Catholic 19, Central DeWitt 14
Dallas Center-Grimes at Sioux City East
The Black Raiders boast a 2,000-yard passer in Cal Jepsen; the Mustangs balance a trio of receivers with Ozzie Grimm’s success in the ground game. If Dallas Center-Grimes can come out with a couple of turnovers, the Mustangs could end Sioux City East’s season. Dallas Center-Grimes 27, Sioux City East 20
Fort Dodge at Newton
Both teams enter this matchup with 8-1 records, and Fort Dodge has some difference makers on both sides of the ball. But the Cardinals are battle-tested, and Nick Milburn is a defender who can keep any opposing offense on its toes. Newton 35, Fort Dodge 21
Glenwood at North Polk
If the Comets are healthy, they should win this first-round game. But North Polk had to go without starting quarterback James Armstrong in the regular season finale against Gilbert, and things didn’t go well. Because Glenwood relies a lot on the run and the Comets struggled in that department against Gilbert, the Rams might have the advantage in this one. Glenwood 28, North Polk 17
Iowa City West at Cedar Falls
The Trojans look like a tough team to beat on both sides of the ball, but Cedar Falls has walked away with some upsets this season. Iowa City West should have the advantage with the number of impactful players on offense, though. Iowa City West 28, Cedar Falls 14
Southeast Polk at Ankeny
It’s difficult to imagine a playoff bracket without Southeast Polk making a deep run, but Ankeny looks like the stronger team on paper. Between Kael Roush and Daniel Larmie – and company – on offense and a defense that capitalizes on turnovers, the Hawks could send the Rams packing early. Ankeny 30, Southeast Polk 16
Underwood at West Marshall
Underwood’s offense runs through Garrett Luett, and it’s been difficult for opposing defenses to slow him down. But West Marshall’s defense loves to get after the quarterback, and if they can alter the Eagles’ game plan, that could be good enough for a win. Underwood 27, West Marshall 17
Van Meter at Roland-Story
Experience means a lot at this point in the season, and the Bulldogs have plenty after making it to the state semifinals last season. Van Meter should benefit from that senior leadership, as well as sophomore Christian Williams’ dominance on both sides of the ball. Van Meter 14, Roland-Story 12
Waukee at Iowa City Liberty
The Warriors pulled out some unlikely wins at the end of the season, but Iowa City Liberty came up with some upsets, as well. The Lightning’s defense, though, tends to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, and that should benefit Liberty. Iowa City Liberty 35, Waukee 24
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
Former Iowa State center Audi Crooks has committed to Oklahoma State via the NCAA Transfer Portal. She has one season of eligibility remaining.
Crooks made 99 appearances and 95 starts during her three seasons at Iowa State. She averaged 25.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this past season, while shooting 64.9% from the field. Additionally, the 6-foot-3 star shot 1-11 from 3-point range.
Crooks played a leading role for the Cyclones from the moment she stepped on campus. She is a three-time All-Big 12 First-Team selection and two-time All-American. On April 2, Crooks announced her intention to enter the transfer portal.
“Cyclone Nation, thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day. I’ve met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I’ve built during my time at Iowa State,” Crooks wrote. “Words cannot fully express how grateful I feel to have called this place home.
“I want to thank my teammates for their friendship and all the great memories. … I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I’ve done that here.”
Now, Audi Crooks will aim to thrive in her new environment. Oklahoma finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-10 overall record.
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 6 and closes on April 20. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the women’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Five people were shot and injured at an Iowa City pedestrian mall near the University of Iowa campus overnight, police said Sunday. Students from the university were among the injured, according to school officials.
The Iowa City Police Department responded to a report of a large fight in the 100 Block of East College Street at 1:46 a.m. early Sunday, the department said in a news release. Arriving officers heard gunfire.
Multiple victims were hospitalized, police said. Police confirmed to CBS News that one person was in critical condition, while the other four victims are stable.
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson said in a statement that three students were among those shot. None of the victims has been publicly identified.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police said they are seeking information about five “persons of interest associated with this shooting.” The university also shared the request for information.
The pedestrian mall was closed for several hours and reopened Sunday afternoon.
Here are the candidates for High School on SI’s Iowa high school athlete of the week for April 13-18. Read through the nominees and cast your vote.
Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 26. The winner will be announced in the following week’s poll. Here are this week’s nominees:
Taylor Roose, Pella boys track and field
Roose competed in three events at the Norwalk Invitational, winning all three in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump.
Daxon Kiesau, Urbandale boys track and field
Kiesau swept the throwing events at the Norwalk Invitational, taking first place in the shot put and the discus.
Alex Burger, Southeast Valley boys track and field
Competing at home, Burger dominated, earning four gold medals. He won the 400-meter hurdles and the long jump while running on the winning 4×200-meter relay and shuttle hurdle relay.
Kolby Hodnefield, Clear Lake boys track and field
Hodenfield, a defending state champion, broke the meet, venue and school record in the 200 and the 400 at the Clear Lake Invitational. He added victories as part of the 4×100 and 4×400 relays. Both relays also set meet records.
Easton Moon, North Polk boys tennis
Moon has started off his senior season on the courts unbeaten, winning all four matches while dropping just one game in 44 played.
Ava Lohrbach, Gilbert girls golf
One of the top golfers in the state, Lohrbach has had a hot start, firing a 35 in her nine-hole debut and a 72 for her 18-hole opener.
Nathan Manske, Algona boys golf
An elite quarterback and basketball player, Manske is showing his golfing skills this spring, coming out with a state-low 30 in a nine-hole event.
Ella Hein, Tipton girls track and field
Hein set school records in the 400-meter run and long jump at the Tiger/Tigerette Relays while also locking in the Blue Standard and qualifying for the Drake Relays. She won the long jump (18-6) and was second in the 400.
Maeve Bowen-Burt, Iowa City High girls track and field
The sophomore helped the Little Hawks land three Drake Relays events on the last night of qualifying, advancing in the 400 hurdles, along with the sprint medley and 4×400 relays.
About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
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