Playoff races, playoff games: Welcome to Iowa high school football Week 9

For the big schools, it’s the end of the regular season. For the small schools, the postseason set to kick off.

The 32-team playoff field has been determined for Class 2A, Class 1A, Class A and 8-Player. After this week, brackets will be determined for the second round and quarterfinals.

Class 5A, Class 4A and Class 3A conclude their traditional nine-game regular season Friday. Some teams continue to chase playoff berths. Others are looking to improve their postseason seeding.

The following is a Week 9 primer:

Class 5A

All 16 qualifiers will be determined via the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

The big stage of the big-school class will be Linn-Mar Stadium, where Cedar Rapids Prairie (6-2, RPI 4) visits Linn-Mar (7-1, RPI 5). Both teams are securely in the playoffs, but the reward to the winner is the likelihood of two home playoff games (assuming it wins the first).

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (8-0, RPI 2) is at Dubuque Hempstead (4-4) Friday. The Cougars probably need a win to lock up a second game at Kingston Stadium.

Iowa City High (7-1, RPI 9) needs a win Thursday at Davenport Central (3-5), and likely a bit of help, to secure home field for the first round of the playoffs. The Little Hawks might be able to bypass the Prairie/Linn-Mar loser, and another potential source of assistance could be Waukee Northwest (4-4), which plays at RPI No. 6 Urbandale (7-1).

Class 4A

The 16-team field consists of the champion and runner-up of each district, plus four at-large teams based on RPI.

DISTRICT 2

Decorah (6-2, 4-0) goes to Waverly-Shell Rock (7-1, 4-0) with the district title at stake. Western Dubuque (4-4, 2-2) still has a flicker of hope for an at-large berth, but the Bobcats must win at Mason City (3-5, 2-2) and get a lot of help throughout the state.

DISTRICT 3

North Scott (8-0, 4-0) is the champion, and the second spot will be determined at Burlington, where the Grayhounds (6-2, 3-1) welcome Fort Madison (6-2, 2-2). The Burlington/Fort Madison loser has an outside shot at an at-large slot.

DISTRICT 4

Cedar Rapids Xavier (7-1, 4-0) is the champion, but it could get confusing after that. Pella (4-4, 3-1) makes it simple and earns the second automatic bid if it wins at Cedar Rapids Washington (4-4, 2-2).

If Washington wins, and if Newton (5-3, 1-3) knocks off Clear Creek Amana (5-3, 2-2), the Warriors are automatically in. A three-way tie among Pella, CCA and Washington at 3-2 probably would swing the RPI pendulum in CCA’s favor. Regardless, it’s a good bet that a third team from this district will qualify.

Class 3A

The 16-team field consists of the champion and runner-up of each district, plus four at-large teams based on RPI.

DISTRICT 3

West Delaware (7-1, 4-0) clinched the title last week with a 25-14 win over Independence (7-1, 3-1), and the Mustangs have wrapped up the second slot. Hampton-Dumont/CAL (4-4, 2-2) has the inside track to an at-large berth if it wins at home against South Tama (2-6, 1-3).

DISTRICT 4

Benton Community (7-1, 4-0) is the champion; Davenport Assumption (5-3, 3-1) is the runner-up. Mount Vernon (5-3, 2-2) has a shot at an at-large berth if it can beat Vinton-Shellsburg (2-6, 1-3) at home, but the Mustangs also need to teams above them on the at-large ladder to slide.

DISTRICT 5

Solon (8-0, 4-0) is the champion after defeating Grinnell (5-3, 3-1) last week. Grinnell can earn the second spot if it wins at home against Fairfield (5-3, 2-2). A Fairfield upset — and a victory by Washington (3-5, 2-2) over West Burlington-Notre Dame (0-8, 0-4) — would create a three-way tie, and that would probably shift the Trojans’ way.

Class 2A

AREA FIRST-ROUND HEADLINER

New Hampton (5-3) at No. 10 North Fayette Valley (7-1)

After four straight losing seasons (11-24 combined), North Fayette Valley has returned to prosperity. The TigerHawks have won four straight games, including a 27-21 nailbiter over Union Community in Week 7, to earn a second-place district finish. Generally a run-first attack, the TigerHawks have three guys with more than 500 rushing yards, led by Kaleb White’s 774 (and 11 touchdowns). NFV averages 308 rushing yards per game. New Hampton has recovered nicely from an 0-2 start behind sophomore RB Braden McShane (1,157 yards, 13 TDs).

ELSEWHERE IN THE AREA

Clarke (5-3) at Williamsburg (5-3)

Northeast (4-4) at Mid-Prairie (5-3)

Union Community (3-5) at Monticello (6-2)

West Liberty (3-5) at No. 3 Waukon (7-1)

Class 1A

AREA FIRST-ROUND HEADLINER

Cardinal (5-3) at West Branch (6-2)

The Bears’ defense has a challenge on its hands: Cardinal is one of the more prolific offensive clubs in 1A, averaging 41 points and 371 yards per game. The Comets are particularly adept in the air behind QB Maddux Jones (1,769 yards, 22 TDs) and three receivers with 20-plus catches. That will test a Bears secondary led by Holden Arnaman and Cash Woody, who have three interceptions apiece. Playoff tradition is a big advantage for West Branch, which is making its 28th postseason appearance, compared to the second for the Comets. West Branch’s Andy Henson has rushed for 1,108 yards and 14 TDs.

ELSEWHERE IN THE AREA

Cascade (4-4) at No. 3 Iowa City Regina (8-0)

Durant (2-6) at No. 5 Sigourney-Keota (8-0)

MFL MarMac (6-2) at Denver (7-1)

South Hardin (3-5) at No. 6 Dyersville Beckman (8-0)

Class A

AREA FIRST-ROUND HEADLINER

Mason City Newman (6-2) at No. 7 East Buchanan (7-1)

East Buchanan is back in the postseason after a three-year absence, and the Buccaneers carry a six-game win streak and a load of momentum. The Bucs have yielded just 23 points in the last four weeks. Cody Fox has 13.5 tackles for loss, and Aidan Cook has five of the Bucs’ 16 interceptions. East Buchanan averages nearly 340 yards per game on the ground, led by Adam Hackett’s 1,282 yards and 14 TDs. Newman, simply, can score. The Knights have put up 158 points in their last three games. James Jennings and Jack Maznio have combined for more than 1,400 rushing yards, and receiver Nash Holmgaard is a threat on the perimeter.

ELSEWHERE IN THE AREA

Alburnett (4-4) at Wapsie Valley (6-2)

Bellevue (5-3) at No. 4 Lisbon (7-1)

Earlham (5-3) at Belle Plaine (6-2)

Highland (3-5) at No. 9 Lynnville-Sully (7-1)

Nashua-Plainfield (4-4) at No. 3 North Linn (8-0)

North Tama (6-2) at Wapello (6-2)

Starmont (3-5) at No. 8 North Butler (7-1)

8-Player

AREA FIRST-ROUND HEADLINER

Northwood-Kensett (6-2) at No. 9 Lansing Kee (7-1)

Kee — which is making its first postseason appearance since 2014 — very nearly claimed a district title, leading Easton Valley by 10 points after three quarters before bowing, 51-46, in last week’s regular-season finale. Still, the loss furthered the Hawks’ legitimacy as a top-tier 8-Player team. Kee has weapons galore; the pass-catch combo of Damon Weber (25 TD passes) and Dalton Dibert (14 of his 32 catches were for TDs) highlights an attack that averages 52.5 points per contest. Northwood-Kensett is on a three-game win streak and has an effective ground attack led by Drew Wilder and Tyler Mills (10 rushing TDs apiece).

ELSEWHERE IN THE AREA

BGM (5-3) at Martensdale-St. Marys (6-2)

Edgewood-Colesburg (5-3) at No. 7 WACO (8-0)

English Valleys (6-1) at Southeast Warren (5-3)

New London (4-3) at No. 2 Montezuma (9-0)

Springville (4-4) at No. 6 Turkey Valley (8-0)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com