Iowa high school football 2021: Picking the area Class 4A districts

Sixth in a series diving into the area high school football districts for the 2021 season. Today, we examine Class 4A.

» More district picks: 8-Player | Class A | Class 1A | Class 2A | Class 3A

Thirty-six teams are assigned to 4A, with 16 advancing to the playoffs. The top two teams in each of six districts advance, plus four at-large qualifiers.

The 4A regular season will consist of nine games, with four rounds of playoffs.

A closer look at area districts:

District 2

OVERVIEW

One through 6, this is the most balanced of the six 4A districts. You won’t find a lightweight here. Let’s tab Waverly-Shell Rock as a slight favorite despite its 4-4 record last year. The Go-Hawks return a ton, including junior running backs McCrae Hagarty and Asa Newsom, who combined for 1,372 yards. There’s little separation among the other five teams. Mason City (3-4) brings back a promising passing combo in Kale Hobart and Carter Thomas, and could be poised for a big leap. Decorah (6-2) and Western Dubuque (5-4) have established programs and should push for potential postseason slots while Marion (3-5) and Waterloo East (1-7) will try to move upward.

PROJECTIONS (*playoff qualifier)

1. *Waverly-Shell Rock

2. *Mason City

3. *Decorah

4. Western Dubuque

5. Marion

6. Waterloo East

District 3

OVERVIEW

North Scott (9-1) took a thrilling ride to the Class 3A state championship last year, winning successive playoff games by scores of 13-10, 24-21 and 17-10 before handling Harlan 30-6 for the title. The Lancers should be among the top handful of teams again. Oliver Hughes (41.5 tackles, 4 INTs) headlines a defense that allowed a skimpy 10.4 points per game. Hughes also led the team in receiving. Iowa City Liberty (2-3) got just four regular-season games in last year. The Lightning should be much better, particularly on the defensive side in which the top four tacklers return for new coach James Harris. Liberty opens with 5A foes Iowa City High and Linn-Mar.

PROJECTIONS (*playoff qualifier)

1. *North Scott

2. *Iowa City Liberty

3. Burlington

4. Fort Madison

5. Clinton

6. Mount Pleasant

District 4

OVERVIEW

If there’s any sort of silver lining in Cedar Rapids Washington’s massive, recent enrollment drop, it’s the corresponding change in football classification. The Warriors (3-5 in 2020) should be an immediate, major player in 4A this season. Leading rusher Jabari Dobbs is back, along with the top four tacklers. Watts McBride made 70.5 stops last year. Expect the Warriors to be challenged by perennial powers Pella (6-3) and Cedar Rapids Xavier (10-1). The Saints made it to the 3A semifinals last season before dropping an overtime heartbreaker to eventual champion North Scott. They have some major shoes to fill, but they always seem to find a way.

PROJECTIONS (*playoff qualifier)

1. *Cedar Rapids Washington

2. *Pella

3. *Cedar Rapids Xavier

4. Clear Creek Amana

5. Newton

6. Oskaloosa

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com