Preseason Rankings: Class 5A 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/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-6/">Preseason Previews on All 36 Class 5A 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>I'm probably most familiar with Class 5A with three of the 36 teams in the class hailing from Iowa City. Still, expect a lot of movement in these rankings throughout the season. This group will be very competitive.</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 5A Preseason Super 16: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. DOWLING CATHOLIC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maroons return their entire starting offensive line and a couple of talented backups there. They'll have to replace some key pieces on both sides of the ball, but with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='401674' first='Joey' last='Nahas'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1619623' first='Sam' last='Drexler'], [player_tooltip player_id='856072' first='Ian' last='Middleton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240476' first='Cohen' last='Shelton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cohen-shelton/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240478' first='Joel' last='Sankoh'], [player_tooltip player_id='1619515' first='Jackson' last='Miller'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1619297' first='Ryan' last='Bobo']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-bobo/"></a>,&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1362510' first='Jack' last='Trump']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-trump/"></a>&nbsp;, [player_tooltip player_id='1240479' first='Josh' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1617528' first='Brady' last='Hagan']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brady-hagan/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1583613' first='Carter' last='Barrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1286887' first='Evan' last='Mitchell']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/evan-mitchell/"></a>&nbsp;back in the fold, state championship should be the goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. WEST DES MOINES VALLEY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers return to the field with their last memory being a crushing, 38-35 loss to Southeast Polk in the 5A title game. That should fuel their fire to achieve the final step. They have a chance with [player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], [player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'], [player_tooltip player_id='283945' first='Jayden' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1619456' first='Miciah' last='LeLaCheur'], [player_tooltip player_id='1241420' first='Luke' last='Wolter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1241401' first='Alonzo' last='Jimenez']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/alonzo-jimenez/"></a>&nbsp;and Benjamin Booth returning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. CEDAR FALLS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This ranking might be a tad aggressive for a program that hasn't reached the state semifinals since 2018, but this squad could break through. [player_tooltip player_id='1221971' first='Leyton' last='Wolf']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/leyton-wolf/"></a>, Will Remmert, Trey Reuter, [player_tooltip player_id='1619415' first='Jack' last='Carter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-carter-2/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1221969' first='Jaden' last='Ubben']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jaden-ubben/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619350' first='Tyler' last='Hermansen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-hermansen/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1221958' first='Ian' last='Fuchtman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1584432' first='Brayden' last='Hanks']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brayden-hanks/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619460' first='Camden' last='Wroe']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/camden-wroe/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619341' first='Kyle' last='Bailey']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kyle-bailey/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1617646' first='Izzah' last='Grandon']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/izzah-grandon/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1248121' first='Cael' last='Harms'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1221959' first='Hayden' last='Bishop']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/hayden-bishop/"></a>&nbsp;lead a talented roster with a high ceiling if the parts connect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. SOUTHEAST POLK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A five-peat in Pleasant Hill? Embrace the possibility. The thought makes Rams fans happy. The opposition? Not so much. There is much to replace from graduation losses, but a group that includes [player_tooltip player_id='401671' first='Drew' last='Thompson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/drew-thompson/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1630199' first='Teague' last='Cantrall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/teague-cantrall/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619426' first='Brayden' last='Lewis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1238623' first='Lafoy' last='Hall Jr']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/lafoy-hall-jr/"></a>., [player_tooltip player_id='1619443' first='Jack' last='Hope']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-hope/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619382' first='Joel' last='Thompson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joel-thompson-2/"></a>, D'Anthony Davis, Samer Arafa, [player_tooltip player_id='1221954' first='Cael' last='Roberts']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cael-roberts/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1198121' first='Nathaniel' last='']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/[player_tooltip player_id='1198121' first='Nathaniel' last='']/"></a>&nbsp;Sleh and [player_tooltip player_id='1699955' first='Giovanni' last='Wilson'] give this bunch a chance to keep the program in the hunt for Dowling's record seven big school championships in the row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. CENTENNIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars were good enough to win it all last season. The ball didn't bounce their way on enough occasions against a difficult schedule. That should motivate the returning players to bring inexperienced guys along. The veteran group of [player_tooltip player_id='401673' first='Javaris' last='Morgan']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/javaris-morgan/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1692342' first='Kane' last='Brooks']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kane-brooks/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='513361' first='Carlos' last='Blount Jr']., Brandon Bogseth, [player_tooltip player_id='1227598' first='Houston' last='Luce']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/houston-luce/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='533048' first='Braylin' last='Dieken-Keahey']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/braylin-dieken-keahey/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1221970' first='Carter' last='Schutty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696608' first='Camden' last='McAtee'] should be able to run the ball and stop the run. That's a enviable position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. ANKENY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Hawks' were one of the better six-win teams you'll come across. A mix of a tough schedule and injuries kept them from flying higher. A gifted senior class will be challenging to replace, but student-athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='401669' first='Daniel' last='Larmie']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/daniel-larmie/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='897474' first='Andrew' last='Brandhorst']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/andrew-brandhorst/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619654' first='Owen' last='Fischer']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/owen-fischer/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1105160' first='Dawson' last='Whitinger']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dawson-whitinger/"></a>, La'Marious Clark, [player_tooltip player_id='1619403' first='Nathan' last='Becker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1687041' first='Owen' last='Liechti'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1238537' first='Zach' last='Breitbach'] coming back give Ankeny reason to believe it can go farther this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. SIOUX CITY EAST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This ranking might not be aggressive enough for a team returning guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cal-jepsen/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kason-clayborne/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619632' first='Quinton' last='Ashcraft'], Austin Sheppard, [player_tooltip player_id='1617667' first='Tanner' last='Hamilton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tanner-hamilton-2/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1105157' first='Christopher' last='Ford']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/christopher-ford/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='856405' first='Jack' last='Ohman']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-ohman/"></a>, Jacob Breyfogl, [player_tooltip player_id='1619359' first='James' last='Hogancamp']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/james-hogancamp/"></a>&nbsp;Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='1241400' first='Colin' last='Pittenger'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1617668' first='Kuper' last='Fritz']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kuper-fritz/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1583610' first='Landan' last='Monk']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landan-monk/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1105159' first='Darrian' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1075432' first='Isaiah' last='King']. That's a lot of veteran production back in a program that's also good at developing talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. BETTENDORF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs won their first eight games a year ago only to drop their final two contests. It'll have them on their toes, fining tuning the details to finish stronger. Despite key graduation losses, veterans [player_tooltip player_id='217007' first='Jack' last='Wessel']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jack-wessel-2/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240429' first='Hayden' last='Morrison']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/hayden-morrison/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240430' first='Henry' last='Gillies'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361135' first='Tyler' last='Nielsen']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-nielsen/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='401666' first='Armon' last='Williams']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/armon-williams/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1609271' first='Gavin' last='Stecker']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/gavin-stecker/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1617635' first='Nick' last='Schaich']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-schaich/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240428' first='Cam' last='Scupham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1240432' first='Owen' last='Schertz']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/owen-schertz/"></a>&nbsp;form an excellent foundation on which to build that journey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. WAUKEE NORTHWEST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves bring back known commodities in [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mack-heitland/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1361719' first='Ryan' last='Woodruff']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-woodruff/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1204437' first='Jordon' last='Green']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jordon-green/"></a>, Elliot Combe, [player_tooltip player_id='1295632' first='Isaiah' last='Oliver'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240480' first='Brady' last='Fitz']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brady-fitz/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1204438' first='Joe' last='Vinyard'], [player_tooltip player_id='1619520' first='Blake' last='Ludwig']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/blake-ludwig/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619483' first='Austin' last='Van Horn']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/austin-van-horn/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1685849' first='Anel' last='Heco']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anel-heco/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1240481' first='Jackson' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1240556' first='Greyson' last='Beattie']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/greyson-beattie/"></a>. They added Minnesota transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1687055' first='Dalton' last='DeBoer'], who will be among Iowa's best offensive linemen this season. Considering all that, this ranking might be too low. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This ranking could raise an eyebrow or two. The Prairie Hawks bring back a strong group led by [player_tooltip player_id='1619293' first='BJay' last='Bush Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361747' first='David' last='Fason'], [player_tooltip player_id='1616459' first='Drew' last='Bennis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1616458' first='Quantae' last='Alexander'], [player_tooltip player_id='1216911' first='Max' last='Schwieger']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/max-schwieger/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619412' first='Brady' last='Peterka']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brady-peterka/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1616453' first='Carsyn' last='Hand']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carsyn-hand/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1619401' first='Romeo' last='Klein-Foote']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/romeo-klein-foote/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1241371' first='Aiden' last='Packard']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aiden-packard/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1617665' first='Bubba' last='Donald'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617666' first='Junior' last='Boxa']. They added key transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='1207826' first='Will' last='Clausen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1361313' first='Dawson' last='Kahl']. Prairie is clearly back in the playoff picture after missing the postseason a year ago. There's potential for much more. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11. Pleasant Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12. Cedar Rapids Kennedy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13. Waukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14. Johnston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15. Iowa City Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16. Waterloo West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered:</strong> Iowa City West, Linn-Mar, Iowa City High, Indianola, Norwalk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->