Preseason Power Rankings: Class 4A Super 16

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/preseason-rankings-class-5a-super-16/">5A Super 16</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2025-season-preview-class-4a-district-6/">Season Previews for All 4A Teams</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Name the sport, preseason rankings are a fool's errand. That's why I'm the man for the job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seriously though, I've tracked teams around the state as closely as possible for several years. And folks love them some rankings. So, why not? Just know that it's a starting point, and everything will be decided on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A shapes up to be a wild ride. That means plenty of movement in these ratings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, I ranked the Top 10 each week. I've decided to grow it into the Super 16, as that's the number of teams that qualify for the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without any further ado, the 2025 Prep Red Zone Iowa Class 4A Preseason Super 16: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints' 2024 results were a bit misleading. A difficult schedule and some key injuries kept them from reaching their potential. While it must account for losing key contributors to graduation, Xavier returns a lot of proven talent in guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1238169' first='Carter' last='Hoffmann']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carter-hoffman-2/"></a>, Cash Parks, Dustin Cook, [player_tooltip player_id='1619867' first='Ryan' last='Kelly']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-kelly-2/"></a>, Will Forman, AJ Evans, Michael Bean, Caleb Loffswold, Jaden DeHeus, Beau Morio, [player_tooltip player_id='1620097' first='Zander' last='Armstrong']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zander-armstrong/"></a>, Nolan Wilgenbusch and [player_tooltip player_id='1751466' first='Andrew' last='Pladsen']. State championship is a reasonable and attainable goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. LEWIS CENTRAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans have established themselves as annual 4A title contenders. That's certainly the case this season despite notable graduation losses. Returnees [player_tooltip player_id='755592' first='Jacob' last='Jefferis']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jacob-jefferis/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='401672' first='Jimmy' last='Scott']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jimmy-scott-2/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1583687' first='Braydan' last='Doss']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braydan-doss/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619876' first='Peyton' last='Phippen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-phippen/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619939' first='Leo' last='Tatum'], [player_tooltip player_id='1359966' first='Thad' last='Nettles'], [player_tooltip player_id='1814161' first='Braxton' last='Buthe'], Brody Applegate, [player_tooltip player_id='1620003' first='Paxton' last='Blanchard']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/paxton-blanchard/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1804233' first='Kyle' last='Walling'], Jackson Cooper, [player_tooltip player_id='1197453' first='Kyler' last='McNeal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1207814' first='Hunter' last='Infanger']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/hunter-infanger/"></a> will have Lewis Central in the hunt again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. PELLA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dutch came up a win shy of the state championship a year ago. There's hope it can take the next step with [player_tooltip player_id='1240470' first='Emmanuel' last='Diers'], [player_tooltip player_id='897440' first='Harrison' last='Mullens']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/harrison-mullens/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1620031' first='Rex' last='Rhamy']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/rex-rhamy/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1644914' first='Kyler' last='VanMaanen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kyler-vanmaanen/"></a>, Ty VanVliet, [player_tooltip player_id='1581293' first='Nate' last='Warner']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nate-warner/"></a>, Gage Branderhorst, [player_tooltip player_id='1240472' first='Palmer' last='Hemming']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/palmer-hemming/"></a>, Benjamin Dothager,&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1620070' first='Jace' last='Peterson'] and Austin Schulte back in the fold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. GILBERT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert lost all-everything Will Hawthorne (Iowa State) to graduation, which will be challenging to replace. Ethan Rash, Gabe Fierce, Tayton Warg, [player_tooltip player_id='1238526' first='Tayshawn' last='Gillen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1620069' first='Blake' last='Bell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1705163' first='Aidan' last='Rash'], [player_tooltip player_id='1694616' first='Kyler' last='Grooters']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kyler-grooters/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1643647' first='Trent' last='Wesselmann'], [player_tooltip player_id='1636920' first='Easton' last='Van Cleave'] and Mason Griffin returning gives the Tigers a chance to absorb the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. WESTERN DUBUQUE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats are aiming for their fourth playoff appearance in a row with a roster that can make a run in 2025. Experienced veterans [player_tooltip player_id='1621113' first='Drew' last='Bergfeld']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drew-bergfeld/"></a>, Brady Shekleton, [player_tooltip player_id='1240425' first='Caleb' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caleb-smith-8/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619904' first='Bradley' last='Brosius']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/bradley-brosius/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240424' first='Owen' last='Habel']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/owen-habel/"></a>, Ben Wernimont, [player_tooltip player_id='1240426' first='Jared' last='Schanbeck'], Zach Gassman, [player_tooltip player_id='1617064' first='Chance' last='Nerney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1630874' first='Charlie' last='Ernzen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/charlie-ernzen/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240421' first='Carter' last='Heidt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1597005' first='Clayton' last='Hogan']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/clayton-hogan/"></a>&nbsp;are the reason why. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. NEWTON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals reached the postseason in each of the last three seasons. With [player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein'], [player_tooltip player_id='1366537' first='Isaiah' last='Hansen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/isaiah-hansen/"></a>, Qhjuan Coley, [player_tooltip player_id='1619913' first='Finn' last='Martin'], Jace Auen, Dawson Maki,&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1620116' first='Colton' last='Northcutt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1756986' first='Zach' last='Felten']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zach-felten/"></a>,&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'] and Coleby Revell returning, Newton could make a deeper run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. NORTH POLK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champions were hit hard by graduation. While those losses will be felt and difficult to overcome, veterans Benjamin Glasgow,&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1240437' first='Bryce' last='Burke'], [player_tooltip player_id='1760678' first='Brady' last='Cathcart']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brady-cathcart/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1620124' first='Micah' last='Sands']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/micah-sands/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1699692' first='Chase' last='Miller']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/chase-miller-7/"></a>, Mason Ackerman and [player_tooltip player_id='1644899' first='Hunter' last='Bacino'] being back will make the Comets a tough out again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Go-Hawks join Xavier and Decorah in what should be a rugged 4A District 2. All three were playoff teams a year ago and can be again. Waverly-Shell Rock has high hopes for a rise and should have confidence in that happening with [player_tooltip player_id='1631367' first='Caleb' last='Schipper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1619985' first='Brady' last='Bodensteiner']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brady-bodensteiner/"></a>, Gehrig Tibbitts, [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jayden-stephens/"></a>, Kael Dewey, [player_tooltip player_id='1631381' first='Mason' last='Hinrichs']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mason-hinrichs/"></a>, Brady Willis, Owen Lawless, [player_tooltip player_id='1240475' first='Ian' last='Sedgwick']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ian-sedgwick/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240483' first='Matt' last='Langner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1751494' first='Gavin' last='Bockholt']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gavin-bockholt/"></a>&nbsp;returning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. NORTH SCOTT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could very well end up being too low for North Scott. It must replace a lot from last year, especially on offense. However, it's a program that reloads and has [player_tooltip player_id='1619849' first='Evan' last='Kruse']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/evan-kruse/"></a>, Brady Hubner, Landon Golinghorst, Ayden Tschopp, Trey Feist, [player_tooltip player_id='1238170' first='Peyton' last='Brenner']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/peyton-brenner/"></a>, Bryce Stewart, Benjamin Lightle and [player_tooltip player_id='1699658' first='Grady' last='James']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-james/"></a> returning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. DECORAH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings bring back a sound foundation of student-athletes, including <strong>&nbsp;</strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619841' first='Trevor' last='Kuennen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1620112' first='Tommy' last='Sexton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tommy-sexton/"></a>, Will Larson, Peyton Webb, [player_tooltip player_id='1619944' first='Noah' last='Milburn'], Luke Franzen and Henry Brynsaas. There will be growing pains having to replace veterans lost to graduation, but Decorah should once again be solidly in the playoff hunt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11. SERGEANT BLUFF-LUTON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12. CLEAR CREEK AMANA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13. FORT DODGE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14. LEMARS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15. BALLARD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other considered:</strong> Glenwood, ADM, Boone, Spencer, Carlisle, Grinnell, Storm Lake, Bondurant-Farrar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->