Iowa high school football 2024: The Gazette’s 8-Player preseason rankings

It’s an “even” year, and wouldn’t you know it? Remsen St. Mary’s is poised for big things in 8-Player football.

Undefeated state champions in 2020 and 2022, St. Mary’s is No. 1 in The Gazette’s preseason 8-Player poll.

Led by dual-threat quarterback Landon Waldschmitt, the Hawks were a narrow pick over Bedford by The Gazette’s panel, edging the Bulldogs by a 45-44 margin in poll points. St. Mary’s garnered three first-place votes, Bedford one.

St. Mary’s was 9-1 last year, dropping a 21-18 decision to eventual state champion Algona Garrigan in the second round of the playoffs.

Garrigan (12-1) is ranked No. 4 to start the season. The Golden Bears dropped their opener last year to Fort Dodge St. Edmond, then rattled off 12 straight wins to capture the title.

In addition to St. Mary’s, Bedford (championship game) and preseason No. 3 Anita CAM (quarterfinals) also were among Garrigan’s postseason trail of victims.

Garrigan got one first-place vote; same for No. 5 Lenox.

No Gazette-area teams open in the 8-Player top 10.

Capsules on the 8-Player contenders:

1. Remsen St. Mary’s

Poll points: 45 (3 first-place votes)

2023 record: 9-1 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 1 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player second round

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: At Ar-We-Va, Oct. 4; Woodbine, Oct. 11

2. Bedford

Poll points: 44 (1 first-place vote)

2023 record: 12-1 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 8 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player runner-up

Returning all-staters: PK Kase Coleman, sr. (1st team), RB Garrison Motsinger, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Lenox, Sept. 13; at Southeast Warren, Oct. 18

3. Anita CAM

Poll points: 40

2023 record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 10 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: QB Chase Speiker, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Lenox, Aug. 23; Audubon, Aug. 30; at Sidney, Oct. 4

4. Algona Garrigan

Poll points: 37 (1 first-place vote)

2023 record: 12-1 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 2 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player champion

Returning all-staters: OL Keaton Helleseth, sr. (1st team), D-UT Ethan Marso, jr. (1st team)

Key games: Fort Dodge St. Edmond, Aug. 30; at Northwood-Kensett, Sept. 20

5. Lenox

Poll points: 33 (1 first-place vote)

2023 record: 9-2 overall, 5-1 8-Player District 8 (2nd)

2023 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: DB Gabe Funk, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: Anita CAM, Aug. 23; Bedford, Sept. 13; Southeast Warren, Oct. 11

6. Don Bosco

Poll points: 22

2023 record: 9-2 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 3 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Aug. 30; at Riceville, Sept. 12

7. Gladbrook-Reinbeck

Poll points: 21

2023 record: 10-2 overall, 5-1 8-Player District 4 (2nd)

2023 postseason: 8-Player semifinalist

Returning all-staters: DL Drew Eilers, sr. (1st team), KR Hudson Clark, jr. (1st team), OL Michael Boyd, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Don Bosco, Aug. 30; at Clarksville, Oct. 11

8. Clarksville

Poll points: 14

2023 record: 11-1 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 4 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: At Belle Plaine, Aug. 23; at Janesville, Sept. 13; Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Oct. 11

T-9. Audubon

Poll points: 12

2023 record: 8-2 overall, 6-0 8-Player District 9 (1st)

2023 postseason: 8-Player second round

Returning all-staters: DB Aaron Olsen, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Anita CAM, Aug. 30; Coon Rapids-Bayard, Sept. 27; at Glidden-Ralston, Oct. 4

T-9. WACO

Poll points: 12

2023 record: 7-2 overall, 4-1 8-Player District 6 (2nd)

2023 postseason: 8-Player second round

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: Coon Rapids-Bayard, Aug. 31 (at West Des Moines Valley); at Iowa Valley, Sept. 6; Winfield-Mount Union, Sept. 13

Others receiving votes

Easton Valley 9, Ar-We-Va 7, Central City 6, Iowa Valley 6, Lansing Kee 6, BGM 5, Winfield-Mount Union 5, Woodbine 5, Glidden-Ralston 1.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com