This past weekend, the excitement in Des Moines was palpable as high school football teams battled it out on the field, solidifying their rankings as the season heats up. As of October 14, the latest update from the Iowa On3 Massey Ratings shows minimal movement in the top 25 list, with only one new team making the cut. Currently, only seven teams remain undefeated as the competition heads into the critical final stretch.
Leading the pack is the Valley Tigers from West Des Moines, who showcased their dominance by blanking the Waterloo West Wahawks in a decisive shutout. They tied their season-high, scoring 49 points, thanks to impressive performances from Kellen Hove, Drake DeGroote, and Beau Lombardi with their touchdown passes. With the top-ranked offense and fifth-best defense in the state, the Tigers appear to be a formidable threat. However, their next matchup will be against the tenth-ranked Ankeny, who is riding a four-game winning streak after defeating Urbandale 49-28, showcasing their offensive prowess.
The Southeast Polk Dragons are also on a roll, having outscored their opponents 135-21 in the last four games, including a shutout of fourth-ranked Southeast Polk. Their defensive strength will be tested against second-ranked Dowling Catholic in their upcoming game. The Bulldogs remain unbeaten, improving to 7-0 after a shutout against Davenport Central.
Meanwhile, teams like Johnston have pulled off some surprises this season, winning against several ranked opponents despite previous predictions against them. They are gearing up for what appears to be an easier stretch with upcoming matchups against Urbandale and Sioux City East.
Overall, as high school football in Iowa heads towards the playoffs, the suspense builds with the fierce competition among these teams. The next few weeks will surely be thrilling, with teams pushing to secure their legacies before the season wraps up.
