Iowa high school football playoffs 2018: Our predictions

The Gazette's sportswriters pick the semifinalists and championship games for the Iowa high school football playoffs.

» 2018 Iowa high school football playoff brackets

» Area first-round playoff preview

Class 4A

 

Jeff Johnson

Semifinalists: Ankeny Centennial, West Des Moines Dowling, Cedar Falls, Bettendorf

Championship: West Des Moines Dowling over Cedar Falls

Jeff Linder

Semifinalists: Ankeny Centennial, West Des Moines Dowling, Cedar Falls, Bettendorf

Championship: West Des Moines Dowling over Cedar Falls

Douglas Miles

Semifinalists: Ankeny Centennial, Waukee, West Des Moines Valley, Iowa City West

Championship: West Des Moines Valley over Iowa City West

K.J. Pilcher

Semifinalists: Ankeny Centennial, West Des Moines Valley, Cedar Falls, Iowa City West

Championship: West Des Moines Valley over Ankeny Centennial

Class 4A feature

» Keegan Simmons flourishes in Cedar Rapids Prairie's single wing attack

Class 3A

 

Jeff Johnson

Semifinalists: Spencer, Lewis Central, Cedar Rapids Xavier, North Scott

Championship: Cedar Rapids Xavier over Lewis Central

Jeff Linder

Semifinalists: Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Lewis Central, Cedar Rapids Xavier, North Scott

Championship: Cedar Rapids Xavier over Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Douglas Miles

Semifinalists: Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Lewis Central, Cedar Rapids Xavier, North Scott

Championship: Cedar Rapids Xavier over Sergeant Bluff-Luton

K.J. Pilcher

Semifinalists: Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Lewis Central, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Solon

Championship: Cedar Rapids Xavier over Solon

Class 3A features

» Solon gears up for 14th straight playoff appearance

» Dominant Cedar Rapids Xavier faces familiar foe in first round

Class 2A

 

Jeff Johnson

Semifinalists: Monroe PCM, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, Algona, Benton Community

Championship: Monroe PCM over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

Jeff Linder

Semifinalists: Monroe PCM, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, Waukon, Benton Community

Championship: Monroe PCM over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

Douglas Miles

Semifinalists: Monroe PCM, Boyden Hull/Rock Valley, Waukon, Benton Community

Championship: Monroe PCM over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

K.J. Pilcher

Semifinalists: Monroe PCM, Boyden Hull/Rock Valley, Waukon, Benton Community

Championship: Monroe PCM over Boyden Hull/Rock Valley

Class 2A feature

» Benton Community rediscovers success under Kal Goodchild

Class 1A

 

Jeff Johnson

Semifinalists: West Sioux, Bellevue, Dike-New Hartford, West Branch

Championship: Dike-New Hartford over West Sioux

Jeff Linder

Semifinalists: West Sioux, Bellevue, Dike-New Hartford, Van Meter

Championship: West Sioux over Dike-New Hartford

Douglas Miles

Semifinalists: West Sioux, Wilton, Dike-New Hartford, West Branch

Championship: West Sioux over Dike-New Hartford

K.J. Pilcher

Semifinalists: West Sioux, Bellevue, Dike-New Hartford, West Branch

Championship: Dike-New Hartford over West Sioux

Class A

 

Jeff Johnson

Semifinalists: Hudson, Algona Garrigan, Akron-Westfield, Avoca AHSTW

Championship: Hudson over Avoca AHSTW

Jeff Linder

Semifinalists: Hudson, Algona Garrigan, Hinton, Avoca AHSTW

Championship: Avoca AHSTW over Hudson

Douglas Miles

Semifinalists: Hudson, Algona Garrigan, West Hancock, Avoca AHSTW

Championship: Hudson over Algona Garrigan

K.J. Pilcher

Semifinalists: Hudson, Algona Garrigan, Westwood, Avoca AHSTW

Championship: Hudson over Algona Garrigan

Class A feature

» North Tama's rebuilding project succeeds despite offseason uncertainty

8-Player

 

Jeff Johnson

Semifinalists: New London, Ar-We-Va, Exira-EHK, Don Bosco

Championship: Don Bosco over Ar-We-Va

Jeff Linder

Semifinalists: New London, Ar-We-Va, Fremont-Mills, Don Bosco

Championship: Don Bosco over Ar-We-Va

Douglas Miles

Semifinalists: Midland, Ae-We-Va, Exira-EHK, Don Bosco

Championship: Don Bosco over Midland

K.J. Pilcher

Semifinalists: Iowa Valley, Ar-We-Va, Fremont-Mills, Don Bosco

Championship: Don Bosco over Iowa Valley