Iowa high school football 2024: The Gazette’s 4A preseason rankings

True, Lewis Central graduated a lot.

Quarterback Brady Hetzel is back, though, and that’s a very good start in the Titans’ reloading effort.

Defending-champion Lewis Central is the consensus pick by Gazette panelists to repeat as Class 4A state football champions. The Titans (11-2) received five of six first-place votes and collected 54 poll points.

Hetzel, a senior, passed for 2,587 yards and 26 touchdowns, against 10 interceptions, and earned 4A first-team all-state honors.

Also the 4A champion in 2021, Lewis Central started 2-2 last season, then won each of its last nine games by double digits, including a 40-21 title-game win over Western Dubuque.

District 3 favorite North Scott (8-3 and a quarterfinalist last year) is No. 2, with Western Dubuque (11-2) third. Bondurant-Farrar (9-3) and Indianola (6-4) share the No. 5 spot.

Perennial power Cedar Rapids Xavier (8-3) is No. 7.

Capsules on the Class 4A contenders:

1. Lewis Central

Poll points: 54 (5 first-place votes)

2023 record: 11-2 overall, 5-0 Class 4A District 6 (1st)

2023 postseason: 4A champion

Returning all-staters: QB Brady Hetzel, sr. (1st team), OL Nathan Beyenhof, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Harlan, Aug. 30; Bondurant-Farrar, Sept. 20; Norwalk, Oct. 18

2. North Scott

Poll points: 47

2023 record: 8-3 overall, 4-1 Class 4A District 3 (2nd)

2023 postseason: 4A quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: WR Cash Bowe, sr. (1st team)

Key games: Western Dubuque, Sept. 20; Cedar Rapids Xavier, Oct. 4; at Oskaloosa, Oct. 25

3. Western Dubuque

Poll points: 32

2023 record: 11-2 overall, 5-0 Class 4A District 2 (1st)

2023 postseason: 4A runner-up

Returning all-staters: OL Garrett Kluesner, sr. (1st team)

Key games: West Delaware, Aug. 30; at North Scott, Sept. 20; Cedar Rapids Xavier, Sept. 13; at Waverly-Shell Rock, Sept. 27; at Decorah, Oct. 18

T-4. Bondurant-Farrar

Poll points: 27

2023 record: 9-3 overall, 4-1 Class 4A District 4 (T-1st)

2023 postseason: 4A semifinalist

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: At North Polk, Aug. 30; Waverly-Shell Rock, Sept. 13; at Lewis Central, Sept. 20; at Gilbert, Oct. 11; Pella, Oct. 18

T-4. Indianola

Poll points: 27

2023 record: 6-4 overall, 4-1 Class 4A District 5 (T-1st)

2023 postseason: 4A first round

Returning all-staters: OL Lathan McDaniel, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Pella, Sept. 13; at Ballard, Sept. 27; North Polk, Oct. 11; at Adel ADM, Oct. 18

6. North Polk

Poll points: 25

2023 record: 9-3 overall, 4-1 Class 4A District 5 (T-1st)

2023 postseason: 4A semifinalist

Returning all-staters: DB Nathan Feldmann, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: Bondurant-Farrar, Aug. 30; Ballard, Oct. 4; at Indianola, Oct. 11; Adel ADM, Oct. 25

7. Cedar Rapids Xavier

Poll points: 20

2023 record: 8-3 overall, 5-0 Class 4A District 3 (1st)

2023 postseason: 4A quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: Waverly-Shell Rock, Aug. 30; at Williamsburg, Sept. 6; at Western Dubuque, Sept. 13; at North Scott, Oct. 4

8. Ballard

Poll points: 18 (1 first-place vote)

2023 record: 5-5 overall, 3-2 Class 4A District 5 (T-3rd)

2023 postseason: 4A first round

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: Pella, Aug. 30; Indianola, Sept. 27; at North Polk, Oct. 4; Adel ADM, Oct. 11

T-9. Pella

Poll points: 16

2023 record: 6-4 overall, 4-1 Class 4A District 4 (T-1st)

2023 postseason: 4A first round

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: Ballard, Oct. 30; Indianola, Sept. 13; at Cedar Rapids Xavier, Sept. 20; at Bondurant-Farrar, Oct. 18; Gilbert, Oct. 25

T-9. Waverly-Shell Rock

Poll points: 16

2023 record: 3-6 overall, 2-3 Class 4A District 2 (T-2nd)

2023 postseason: Did not qualify

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: At Cedar Rapids Xavier, Aug. 30; North Scott, Sept. 6; Western Dubuque, Sept. 27; at Decorah, Oct. 4

Others receiving votes

Gilbert 15, Decorah 11, Norwalk 9, Adel ADM 7, Glenwood 5, Marion 1.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com