Weigh-In Wednesday: Who Wins 5A Championship?

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Tracking X-Factors in Class 5A Postseason

We made it. After the smaller classifications kicked off the postseason last week, playoffs in the larger classes get underway on Friday. That includes the schools with the largest enrollments, 5A.

It's been an interesting ride through the regular season for this group. Waukee Northwest looked untouchable until falling to rival Waukee a few weeks ago. Dowling Catholic has cruised to eight wins in a row after losing by a point to rival Valley in Week 1. Valley, Sioux City East, Ankeny, Johnston and Iowa City Liberty also have flashed championship upside throughout the campaign.

So, who ya got winning it all? Weigh in. It's Wednesday. As always, write-in votes are welcome.

Dowling Catholic (8-1)

Skinny: The Maroons dropped a 20-19 decision to rival Valley in Week one and have ripped off eight wins in a row since then. A 16-point win against Waukee is the closest anyone has come to beating them. Waterloo West gets the task of trying to upset Dowling in Round 1 Friday. It's a tall one.

Waukee Northwest (8-1)

Skinny: The Wolves had the hiccup against Waukee but otherwise looked impressive. It happens. It's a rivalry, and the Warriors are a playoff team, too. Maybe Northwest suffering a setback serves as a wakeup call now that we've reached the win-or-go-home stage of the year. It opens playing host to a dangerous Indianola outfit, so focus and execution will be needed.

Sioux City East (8-1)

Skinny: The Black Raiders' lone setback this season came by six points on the road at Ankeny. Their only win against a fellow 5A playoff team happened by four points at Johnston. They play host to a dangerous Dallas Center-Grimes team this Friday.

WDM Valley (7-2)

Skinny: The Tigers entered the season as one of the favorites to win it all after reaching the 5A championship game a year ago and returning a lot of firepower. They dropped a three-point decision to Northwest and lost by eight at Ankeny's senior night but certainly have what it takes to be the last team standing.

Iowa City Liberty (8-1)

Skinny: A three-point loss at Johnston back on Sept. 19 is the lone blemish on Lightning's record. They've reeled off five wins in a row since then, all of them coming by at least two scores. They've defeated fellow 5A playoff teams in Iowa City West, Southeast Polk and Cedar Falls.

Johnston (7-2)

Skinny: Johnston's two losses were against fellow playoff teams Dowling and Sioux City East, but the Dragons have defeated postseason teams in Waukee, Liberty, Ankeny and Southeast Polk. They open up Friday by playing host to Ankeny Centennial.

Ankeny (7-2)

Skinny: Ankeny impressively navigated a tough schedule. The Hawks own victories against four playoff teams in Waukee, Centennial, Sioux City East and Valley. They dropped decisions to postseason qualifiers Northwest and Johnston.

Cedar Falls (7-2)

Skinny: The Tigers lost the season-opener, 15-14, at Liberty, and also fell, 21-13, at Linn-Mar. They topped Prairie, 20-17, for their only win against a 5A playoff team.