Iowa high school football 2025: Picking the area Class A districts

Second in a series diving into the area Iowa high school football districts for the 2025 season. Today, we examine Class A.

Fifty-six teams are assigned to Class A, with 32 advancing to the playoffs. The top four teams in each of eight districts advance.

The Class A regular season will consist of eight games, with five rounds of playoffs.

A closer look at area districts:

District 3

OVERVIEW

After reaching the Class A semifinals last year, annual power Saint Ansgar (10-2) would be the logical pick. But we’ll go against the grain here and make a surprising selection in South Winneshiek. The Warriors (4-5), perhaps, bring back the most from last year’s roster of any team in Class A. That includes Kyle Kuboushek, who rushed for 963 yards and 13 TDs, and led the team in tackles (84.5). Will that be enough to make a 40-point swing against Saint Ansgar, which earned a 54-14 first-round playoff win over the Warriors? The Saints do bring back leading rusher/tackler Korben Michels (1,295 yards, 16 TDs; 76 tackles). Nashua-Plainfield (6-4) gives this district a quality third team, with North Butler (5-4) a slight pick over Clayton Ridge (2-6) and Starmont (5-4) for the final playoff berth.

PROJECTIONS (*playoff qualifier)

1. *South Winneshiek

2. *Saint Ansgar

3. *Nashua-Plainfield

4. *North Butler

5. Clayton Ridge

6. Starmont

7. Postville

District 4

OVERVIEW

Maquoketa Valley (9-2) is more than a district favorite. The Wildcats are a bona fide state-championship hopeful. Let’s start with a defense that allowed 9.2 points per game and posted five consecutive shutouts in Weeks 2-6. Seven of the top tacklers return, as does Eli Dougherty (six interceptions). QB Brady Wall (1,893 passing yards, 17 TD) and RB Rogan Heidt (1,580 rushing yards, 25 TDs) headline a potent offensive attack, and Wall welcomes back three receivers with 20-plus catches in 2024. Led by Bryar Bellis (team-high 31 receptions) and Andrew Tiedt (58 tackles), Wapsie Valley (7-3) is the Wildcats’ most dangerous challenger. Three teams — East Buchanan (3-5), North Linn (6-3) and East Marshall (4-5) — are in the running for the other two playoff spots.

PROJECTIONS (*playoff qualifier)

1. *Maquoketa Valley

2. *Wapsie Valley

3. *East Buchanan

4. *North Linn

5. East Marshall

6. North Cedar

7. Midland

Other districts with area teams

DISTRICT 5

1. *Pekin

2. *Columbus Community

3. *Wapello

4. *Danville

5. Highland

6. Van Buren County

7. New London

DISTRICT 6

1. *Madrid

2. *Lynnville-Sully

3. *Earlham

4. *North Mahaska

5. Martensdale-St. Marys

6. Colfax-Mingo

7. BGM

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com