Iowa high school football: Tracking the area playoff races

Seven classes. An eight-game schedule for some. No district races in a newly developed Class 5A.

RPI is a key factor in some classes, a point-differential factor in others. But the No. 1 motivation in all classes remains simple: Just win.

It’s a new, non-traditional format for Iowa high school football this fall, and the regular season has reached its crescendo.

A 32-team playoff field for Class 2A, Class 1A, Class A and 8-Player will be finalized after this week’s games.

Class 5A, Class 4A and Class 3A conclude their regular season next week, with 16 teams advancing to the postseason.

The following is a primer on area races.

Class 5A

All 16 qualifiers will be determined via the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (7-0, RPI 3) has mathematically assured itself a bid, and the Cougars will be in good shape for a top-four finish — which means two home playoff games — if they win their last two games (home against Johnston and at Dubuque Hempstead).

Barring something drastic, Cedar Rapids Prairie (5-2, RPI 5), Linn-Mar (6-1, RPI 7) and Iowa City High (6-1, RPI 8) are going to qualify, but all have more on their minds than merely getting into the field. All are in line to host at least one playoff game if they win out, which makes the Week 9 battle of Prairie at Linn-Mar a biggie.

All three are favored this week: Prairie hosts Iowa City West (2-5), Linn-Mar is at Davenport Central (3-4) and City welcomes Davenport West (1-6). The Little Hawks are at Davenport Central in Week 9.

Class 4A

The 16-team field consists of the champion and runner-up of each district, plus four at-large teams based on RPI.

DISTRICT 2

The championship is likely to be settled in Week 9, when Decorah (5-2, 3-0) visits Waverly-Shell Rock (6-1, 3-0). But the Go-Hawks have a tricky test Friday against Western Dubuque (4-3, 2-1). Decorah hosts Waterloo East (1-6, 0-3) this week.

DISTRICT 3

Defending state champion North Scott (7-0, 3-0) is the front-runner, with three teams — Fort Madison (6-1, 2-1), Burlington (5-2, 2-1) and Iowa City Liberty (2-5, 2-1) — vying for the other spot. It will become much clearer after Friday, when Fort Madison travels to North Scott and Liberty welcomes Burlington.

DISTRICT 4

Cedar Rapids Xavier (6-1, 3-0) jumped into the driver’s seat last week with a convincing 34-7 win over Clear Creek Amana (5-2, 2-1), and can wrap up the title with a win at Newton (5-2, 1-2) on Friday. The Clippers host Pella (3-4, 2-1) this week, and can clinch a playoff slot with a victory, provided Xavier also wins.

Class 3A

The 16-team field consists of the champion and runner-up of each district, plus four at-large teams based on RPI.

DISTRICT 3

The district’s game of the year always figured to be West Delaware (6-1, 3-0) at Independence (7-0, 3-0), which will be played Friday, and both teams have held up their end of the bargain. The winner is the district champion, and the loser more than likely will qualify as the runner-up.

DISTRICT 4

Benton Community (6-1, 3-0) is in charge, but one significant hurdle remains, in Week 9 at Van Horne against DeWitt Central (5-2, 2-1). Davenport Assumption (4-3, 2-1) has the inside track for the second playoff spot. If Mount Vernon (4-3, 1-2) wins its last two — at DeWitt Central, then home against Vinton-Shellsburg (2-5, 1-2) — an at-large bid is a possibility.

DISTRICT 5

Solon (7-0, 3-0) travels to Grinnell (5-2, 3-0) Friday with an opportunity to clinch the district title. The Spartans end the regular season at home against Keokuk (1-6, 0-3); the Tigers close at home against Fairfield (5-2, 2-1) in a game that is likely to determine the second automatic qualifier.

Class 2A

The top four teams from each of eight districts will comprise a 32-team field.

DISTRICT 4

All four of the bids have been secured. Waukon (6-1, 4-0) is the district champion; North Fayette Valley (6-1, 3-1) has wrapped up the second slot. Dubuque Wahlert (2-5, 2-2) and Union Community (3-4, 2-2) also will advance, probably in that order.

DISTRICT 5

Still a lot to chew on here. Monticello (5-2 overall), Camanche (4-3) and Northeast (4-3) are tied at 3-1, and all have secured playoff spots. Monticello travels to Northeast on Friday, while Camanche welcomes Tipton (0-7, 0-4).

Monticello is the champion with a win, and Camanche earns the title with a victory and if Northeast wins. Northeast claims the crown with a win and a Tipton upset.

The final berth goes to the winner between West Liberty (2-5, 2-2) and Anamosa (1-6, 1-3).

DISTRICT 6

Once 0-3, Williamsburg (4-3, 4-0) has come all the way back to clinch the championship. Mid-Prairie (4-3, 3-1) and Davis County (4-3, 3-1) have clinched playoff berths, and settle matters for the second spot when they tangle Friday at Bloomfield. Centerville (3-4, 1-3) is likely to earn the final bid.

Class 1A

The top four teams from each of eight districts will comprise a 32-team field.

DISTRICT 4

Two realistic scenarios arise from this district.

Dyersville Beckman (7-0, 4-0) concludes a title run if it wins at home against MFL MarMac (6-1, 3-1). If the Bulldogs pull a minor upset, that probably creates a three-way tie that would also involve Waterloo Columbus (5-2, 3-1). Currently, Beckman has a plus/minus point differential of plus-52, MFL MarMac is at plus-49, Columbus at plus-35.

With the assumption of a forfeit win over Postville, Cascade (3-4, 1-3) will get the fourth berth.

DISTRICT 5

Iowa City Regina (7-0, 4-0) wrapped up the title with a 26-8 win over archrival West Branch (5-2, 3-1) last week.

The Bears also have a playoff berth in hand, but it gets murky after that. Wilton (5-2, 2-2) and Durant (2-5, 2-2) are in with wins, but the Beavers are at West Branch and the Wildcats travel to Regina.

If both lose, Mediapolis (4-3, 1-3) can force a three-way tie with a win at winless Louisa-Muscatine. Current district point differentials have Durant at plus-12, Mediapolis minus-14, Wilton minus-15.

DISTRICT 6

Sigourney-Keota (7-0, 4-0) is the champion, and Pella Christian (6-1, 3-1) has nailed down a playoff bid. If Cardinal (5-2, 2-2) defeats Pleasantville (3-4, 1-3), the third and fourth spots go to Cardinal and Central Decatur (4-3, 2-2).

Class A

The top four teams from each of eight districts will comprise a 32-team field.

DISTRICT 3

Right now, it’s Grundy Center (6-1, 5-0), Wapsie Valley (5-2, 4-1) and North Tama (6-1, 4-1) — in that order — for the top three spots. That’s how it will stay if Grundy Center beats North Tama at home Friday. If North Tama wins and if Wapsie Valley handles winless Conrad BCLUW, a three-way tie arises, and Grundy Center has the advantage there, too.

Nashua-Plainfield (3-4, 2-3) is the fourth qualifier if it wins at Hudson.

DISTRICT 4

This much is certain: North Linn (7-0, 5-0) is the champion and East Buchanan (6-1, 4-1) is the runner-up.

Starmont (3-4, 3-3) has concluded district action. If East Buchanan downs South Winneshiek (2-5, 2-3), the final third and fourth spots go to Starmont and the winner between Bellevue (4-3, 2-3) and Clayton Ridge (3-4, 2-3), who tangle at Bellevue. A South Winn upset would force a three-team tiebreaker for third, fourth and fifth.

DISTRICT 5

Lisbon (6-1, 6-0) is the district champion, and Wapello (5-2, 4-1) is the runner-up.

If Alburnett (3-4, 3-2) wins at home against Columbus Community (3-4, 2-3) and Highland (2-5, 2-3) takes care of business at Riverside against winless Pekin, the Pirates and the Huskies get the last two spots. A Columbus upset would force a three-way tie for two bids.

DISTRICT 6

Belle Plaine (6-1, 5-0) hosts Lynnville-Sully (6-1, 5-0) on Friday, and the winner will be crowned as district champion.

Ogden (4-3, 3-3) has a non-district game Friday while Madrid (2-5, 2-3) and Colfax-Mingo (2-5, 2-3) are favored to beat North Mahaska and Wayne, respectively. A three-way tiebreaker on points would favor Ogden and Madrid.

8-Player

The top three teams from each of 10 districts automatically qualify, along with two at-large teams based on the 17-point rule.

DISTRICT 3

The only area team in the district, Turkey Valley (7-0, 5-0) has clinched the championship, and Janesville (6-1, 5-1) has wrapped up the second spot. Tripoli (4-3, 3-2) is guaranteed third place if it wins at home against Rockford (2-5, 2-3).

DISTRICT 5

Easton Valley (7-0, 6-0) and Lansing Kee (7-0, 6-0) battle for the title Friday at Lansing. Both teams have wrapped up playoff spots. Edgewood-Colesburg (4-3, 4-2) wraps up a bid if it can win at home against Midland (3-5, 3-3).

DISTRICT 6

WACO (8-0, 6-0) is the champion, and English Valleys (5-1, 4-1) has wrapped up a spot. The Bears are runners-up if they win at home against Winfield-Mount Union (4-2, 3-2), which will be playing with urgency because the Wolves’ playoff hopes are on the line. New London (3-3, 2-3) and Iowa Valley (3-4, 2-3) enter the picture if W-MU stumbles.

DISTRICT 7

Montezuma (8-0, 5-0) is the champion, Baxter (6-1, 4-1) the runner-up. BGM (4-3, 3-2) snags the other slot if it wins at Melcher-Dallas (3-4, 2-3).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com