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

Two points. That’s what separated Woodbury Central from the 2023 Class A state football championship.

The Wildcats return three all-staters — Zack Butler, Sam Monk and Jayden Lloyd were second-team selections — from a squad that dropped a 30-28 heartbreaker to West Hancock in the title game.

With that nucleus (Butler rushed for 1,355 yards and 22 touchdowns), Woodbury Central is The Gazette’s pick as Class A preseason No. 1.

The Wildcats (12-1) picked up three first-place votes and accumulated 51 poll points.

It’s a familiar cast at the front end of the list. Each of the top seven teams advanced to the quarterfinals or beyond.

Guthrie Center ACGC (10-1) reached the quarterfinals and welcomes back three all-staters, including first-teamers Carter Richter and Jathan South. The Chargers scored 45 poll points and received a first-place vote.

West Hancock (12-1) lost to Saint Ansgar in Week 3 last year, then rattled off 10 consecutive wins to claim the crown. The Eagles open at No. 3.

Madrid (11-1) and Wapsie Valley (9-2) round out the top five.

The lone Gazette-area team in the poll, Starmont (8-2) is No. 8. The Stars allowed just 11.1 points per game last season and bring back second-team all-state linebacker Avery Vaske.

No. 9 Mount Ayr and unranked Lisbon received the other two first-place votes.

Capsules on the Class A contenders:

1. Woodbury Central

Poll points: 51 (3 first-place votes)

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

2023 postseason: Class A runner-up

Returning all-staters: RB Zack Butler, sr. (2nd team), WR Sam Monk, sr., Woodbury Central; PK Jayden Lloyd, soph. (2nd team)

Key games: Logan-Magnolia, Sept. 13; at Tri-Center, Oct. 11

2. Guthrie Center ACGC

Poll points: 45 (1 first-place vote)

2023 record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 Class A District 7 (1st)

2023 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: OL Carter Richter, jr. (1st team), DB Jathan South, sr. (1st team), OL Mason Wahl, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: Earlham, Sept. 6; at Oakland Riverside, Sept. 27; Mount Ayr, Oct. 11

3. West Hancock

Poll points: 40

2023 record: 12-1 overall, 5-1 Class A District 2 (2nd)

2023 postseason: Class A champion

Returning all-staters: LB Brady Bixel, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Garner GHV, Aug. 30; Saint Ansgar, Sept. 13

4. Madrid

Poll points: 31

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

2023 postseason: Class A semifinalist

Returning all-staters: OFF-UT Preston Wicker, sr. (1st team)

Key games: Woodward-Granger, Aug. 30; Mount Ayr, Sept. 13; Lynnville-Sully, Sept. 20

5. Wapsie Valley

Poll points: 28

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

2023 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: P Chase Ackerman, sr. (1st team)

Key games: Denver, Sept. 6; At South Winneshiek, Sept. 13; at North Tama, Sept. 27

T-6. Logan-Magnolia

Poll points: 15

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

2023 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: At Woodbury Central, Sept. 13; at Tri-Center, Sept. 27

T-6. Saint Ansgar

Poll points: 15

2023 record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 Class A District 2 (1st)

2023 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Key returners: OL Dylan Hansen, sr. (1st team), DB Dylan Brumm, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: At Osage, Aug. 30; at West Hancock, Sept. 13

8. Starmont

Poll points: 14

2023 record: 8-2 overall, 6-1 Class A District 4 (T-1st)

2023 postseason: Class A second round

Returning all-staters: LB Avery Vaske, sr. (2nd team)

Key games: North Linn, Sept. 13; at East Buchanan, Sept. 20; at Maquoketa Valley, Oct. 18

9. Mount Ayr

Poll points: 15 (1 first-place vote)

2023 record: 4-5 overall, 3-3 Class A District 6 (4th)

2023 postseason: Class A first round

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: At Madrid, Sept. 13; Lynnville-Sully, Oct. 4; at Guthrie Center ACGC, Oct. 11

10. Tri-Center

Poll points: 11

2023 record: 3-6 overall, 3-3 Class A District 8 (4th)

2023 postseason: Did not qualify

Returning all-staters: None

Key games: Avoca AHSTW, Aug. 30; Logan-Magnolia, Sept. 27; Woodbury Central, Oct. 11

Others receiving votes

Lisbon 10, Earlham 9, Marcus MMCRU 8, Oakland Riverside 8, Le Mars Gehlen 7, Maquoketa Valley 7, IKM-Manning 6, Lynnville-Sully 3, Nashua-Plainfield 3, Pekin 3, East Buchanan 2, North Butler 1.

Note: Lisbon received one first-place vote.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com