Iowa Team Preview | Top Contender: Dowling Catholic

Take a look as Prep Redzone Iowa previews some of the state’s top contenders who, at least on paper, have what it takes to push for a title. From 5A down there are plenty of programs who have what it takes to challenge the reigning champions. Will any of these squads take it all? Dowling Catholic didn’t exactly dominate last season given the way Iowa has grown accustomed to the Maroons running the show. While it may not have been to their standards, 2020 was still a big success. The Maroons will look to reload in 2021 and regain their status as state champs in the new 5A landscape. Recap The Maroons were finally unseated last year and for the first time since 2013 do not enter the season as the reigning champs. It is certainly strange to call them a contender instead of defending champions. An incredible and historic run of 7 consecutive titles (2013-2019) was ended by Ankeny in a double overtime thriller in the closest, most dramatic fashion. Some may have seen the writing on the wall, or at least a sign that Dowling wasn’t invincible, with an upset loss to Johnston earlier in the season and small margins of victory over Indianola and Waukee. Dowling, though, was right in it until the end in a semifinal game that could have gone either way. Who knows what would have happened in the championship against Southeast Polk had they come out on top. Regardless, the 2020 season was still very successful evidenced by a deep playoff run and signature wins over top programs like Valley, Waukee, and Indianola. The Maroons were very efficient on offense posting over 30 points in five of their nine contests. The defense was just as steady, only allowing 14 points per game. Outlook Does the state of Iowa get an early preview of the brand new 5A classification’s title game in week 1? Many would argue yes. Dowling Catholic will get an opportunity to put the heavy preseason favorite Southeast Polk in the back seat right away in what has to be one of the most high profile games, not only in the state, but nationally with all the recruiting attention this contest will yield. The Rams have a ton of firepower and a star studded lineup on both sides of the ball. There should be a lot learned about each program by the end of this August 27th juggernaut of a game. It won’t take long to see if the Maroons are on track to regain their championship status and start another stretch to continue the dynasty or not. Their schedule is bookended with difficult contests starting with Southeast Polk, Waukee Northwest, and Ankeny. It ends with big matchups with Johnston, Valley, and Waukee. To be the best you have to beat the best and the Maroons are set out to prove that mantra true as Southeast Polk and Ankeny are non-district games. Dowling figures to be dynamic on offense with the weapons to air it out or pound the rock. They also have some freaky, elite athletes on defense that should be able to stand toe to toe with anyone. Look for the Maroons to have a great chance to still be standing when it is all said and done this fall once again. Top Returning Players Dowling has some serious firepower coming back on each side of the ball and are sure to have more big time players coming up the pipeline. Top returners include: Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="104098" first="Jaxon" last="Smolik"], Running Backs [player_tooltip player_id="98713" first="Kham" last="Middleton"] and Keegan Bekish, Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id="148739" first="Carson" last="Brown"], Tight End [player_tooltip player_id="104749" first="Jalyn" last="Thompson"], Offensive Linemen [player_tooltip player_id="148703" first="Gabe" last="Carey"] and [player_tooltip player_id="187433" first="Ryan" last="Bagenstos"], Defensive Linemen [player_tooltip player_id="100043" first="Jaylen" last="Pettus-McMullen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="148781" first="Maada" last="Brewah"], Linebacker Adam Townsend, and Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id="100887" first="Blake" last="Anderson"]. The Maroons did graduate plenty of seniors last year, but this nucleus of experienced players is as strong as they come. Strengths The Maroons are very talented at key positions and don’t appear to be heading into the season with any obvious or glaring weaknesses. It will be a challenge for teams to match up with and game plan for Dowling, especially when it comes to their Defensive Line, which features a couple of the best in the state in Pettus-McMullen and Brewah. They, across the front, have an impressive ability to immediately recognize run or pass keys and react with appropriate technique. Their block destruction and the way they occupy blockers, forcing teams to adjust schemes, is noteworthy. They are also highly talented, elite at times, at transitioning to a pass rush and getting pressure on the Quarterback. They individually show off pass rush moves that are fitting to their skill sets and collectively show knowledge of rush lanes and aiming points. For Pettus-McMullen to record 28 tackles and 4 sacks in 9 games last season as an interior player speaks volumes. The Maroons should be able to count on the Defensive Line to come through in key situations. Biggest Question Will the new faces that are filling the shoes of last year’s departed seniors be able to make a seamless and immediate impact? That is the question. Leading up to last year it may not have been much of one because everyone got used to Dowling winning titles. They simply reloaded and it didn’t matter quite as much who was coming up in the program. Now, though, there may be a little bit more curiosity surrounding that subject. When you have rattled off seven straight championships it may be a little more overwhelming to consider things people have come to expect to be automatic. Though, a winning season and a trip to the semifinals is hardly cause for concern. Odds are the Maroons will be as talented as ever and right back in the mix. Top Matchup Almost every week is a big game for Dowling this season that will present new challenges and adversity. Obviously their week 1 matchup will garner a tremendous amount of attention, but one has to think their week 4 contest with Ankeny is the one they will get up most for. The Hawks put an end to their run and, despite graduating some key players, will return a ton of athletes that were part of that game. This will be a rematch in the truest sense you can get at the high school level and a big opportunity for the Maroons. Many will pitch this game as a showdown between two future Division 1 Quarterbacks and stars in the class of 2023 in [player_tooltip player_id="104098" first="Jaxon" last="Smolik"] and [player_tooltip player_id="104081" first="JJ" last="Kohl"], but it will go much deeper than that. Expect this to be one of the more competitive, intense, and impassioned games of the 2021 season. Keys to Success The key to success for Dowling this year will be to stick to the formula. Sometimes the response from a community when a dynasty like the Maroons experience a blip on the radar is to call for change. That would be a mistake. What they achieved in a decade (2010-2019) is unheard of and parallels that of other top programs on a national scale. The way Dowling has been able to identify and develop talent is impressive. It is clear that what they have established is very complete and effective. The Maroons will have a legitimate chance of hanging their 11th banner in the gym this fall.