Prep Football Preview

He doesn't want to be that doomsday guy, wishes he felt differently.

Bob Forsyth has made a career out of teaching and coaching football. He has been at the high school and college levels, was a graduate assistant back in the day for Hayden Fry at Iowa.

The man loves the game. Let's just say you need to take heed when a guy like that says he fears for the future of football.

'I think as the negative media frenzy continues, the number of players will continue to go down,' the Linn-Mar head coach said. 'We're already seeing it. For instance, the number of teams we have in the Metro Youth Football League has dropped from 15 to eight.

'I worry about college football, too. Years from now, long after I'm out of the game, I think you could see as many as half of your college football programs be gone because there won't be enough high school talent for them to recruit. The state of football is not as great as we think it is. It's really not.'

5 questions heading into 2015 prep football season

Dire predictions or not, football continues to be the most popular sport for preps in Iowa. Last season, there were 342 sponsored programs and 19,887 participants in grades 9 through 12.

Those numbers are on par with previous recent seasons. In fact, the number of players last year was higher than in 2003 (19,807), even though there were 18 less programs.

Participants mostly have been in the 20,000 to 23,000 range since the IHSAA began keeping track in 1970. The high water mark came in 1981 (23,510). The most teams the state ever had was 435 in 1979.

"The state of football is not as great as we think it is. It's really not."

- Bob Forsyth

Linn-Mar Coach

The number of players nationwide has decreased at the youth and prep levels in the past few years, with ever-increasing scrutiny about the safety of the sport. A first-of-its kind, class-action lawsuit was filed by a former player last year against the Illinois High School Association, claiming the association was negligent in its handling of concussions.

All in all, Iowa seems immune to lawsuits and criticism like that, at least now. While there are dwindling numbers elsewhere, things seem fine right now at the high school level here.

'I am happy with our numbers,' said Todd Tharp, Assistant Executive Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, in charge of football. 'The entire nation has taken a little bit of a hit with concerns about concussions and safety. I have talked to several coaches ... some say their numbers are down, but some of that is because enrollment, in general, is down.'

The IHSAA has tried to address safety concerns by doing things like limiting the amount of contact allowed in practices and eliminating preseason 'two-a-days.' Teams could not practice any longer than four hours per day.

There is a special emphasis this season nationwide on enforcing targeting rules and protecting defenseless players. Concussion protocols have become much more stringent.

Tharp and the IHSAA produced a video on things such as the proper way to tackle and block in what he calls a 'Get The Head Out of Football' campaign.

'I know there has been a lot of talk about concussions,' said Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Brian White. 'In my mind, when there is an elephant in the room like that, you talk about the elephant.'

'I believe we are very proactive in making sure our game is safer,' said West Central Coach Steve Milder, President Elect of the Iowa High School Football Coaches Association. 'Young men enjoy playing our game and adults enjoy watching them. The one thing we want to ensure is that the game is as safe as it can be.'

"In my mind, when there is an elephant in the room like that, you talk about the elephant."

- Brian White

C.R. Kennedy Coach

All agree education and communication between coaches and parents of players and prospective players is paramount to helping the sport survive and thrive. Tharp has a son who plays at Gilbert and said coaches have done football clinics specifically designed for moms.

White talks to parents about equipment. Kennedy disperses a particular kind of Riddell helmet to players, though the coach encourages them to pay for a top-of-the-line 'Speedflex' helmet by Riddell that advertises itself as being able to 'reduce impact force transfer to the athlete.'

Those cost roughly $400.

'I played at Linn-Mar for Greg Purnell, and he used to work our tails off,' White said, adding a few old-school tales of playing for a guy known as the 'Little General.' 'But I look now at a kid like Dalles Jacobus (a Kennedy lineman). He's 6-foot-1, 255 pounds and can run a 5.1 40-yard dash. That's called power, and that changes everything. We didn't have that in the 1980s and '90s. We don't live in the '80s anymore. Times change, and we have to change with them.'

While all coaches know safety trumps everything, some who have been around awhile seem somewhat discouraged to see the game change as drastically in some of the ways it has.

'There's a lot of good in that change because we are trying to protect kids and respect everybody,' said Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Duane Schulte. 'But there's just a different feel to it for me overall now then, say, 10 to 15 years ago.

KCRG 9.2 Schedule

'I guess I just compare it to when I played for Tom Kopatich (at LaSalle). We had two-a-days where we would start at 6:30 in the morning and get done at 11. Then we'd come back at 2:30 and get done at, like, 7:30. Tom would say that some schools around here would brag about three-a-days because they'd go two hours each. He'd just guffaw and say 'Big deal. We have all-a-days.' That mentality is not around anymore.'

That's because football, obviously, is a collision sport and the kids colliding these days are bigger, faster and stronger than they've ever been. As Tharp mentioned, there is risk.

But men like Forsyth believe that risk is overstated.

'I worry about football being singled out,' he said. 'I advise everyone to do some research to find out what's real. Is there an injury risk? Yes. Is it higher than other activities? My kids could get hurt on their drive home from practice.'

He believes the benefits outweigh the risks.

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'Football is a game that teaches so many things,' he said. 'It teaches teamwork, overcoming adversity, discipline, all those things that you don't get in other sports.'

'You always read those stories about concussions and parents wondering if their kids will be safe and all that,' said Xavier tight end Daniel Richardson. 'But I think when it comes down to it, it comes down to whether you love the game or not. There are a lot of people who grew up in a football family, so it pretty much comes down to your family situation and how much love you have for the game.'

'Football is football. You've still got to give these guys a chance to go out and play football,' Schulte said. 'I don't know what I'm saying, but there's just a different feel in football today.

'You want to be smart, and I think everyone is trying to be smart about what they do. But, to me, you've still got to keep in mind that 'Hey, it's a football game. Let's go play some football.''

Team to Beat

West Des Moines Valley: The Tigers were 10-2 last year but were the only team to upend state champion West Des Moines Dowling. First team all-state lineman John Raridan is back to block for junior QB Rocky Lombardi, poised for an excellent year.

Gazette/KCRG/KGYM Preseason Rankings

Rank. Team. 2014 W-L. Points

1. West Des Moines Valley (6) . 10-2 . 75

2. Cedar Rapids Washington (1) . 13-1 . 68

3. West Des Moines Dowling (1) . 13-1 . 66

4. Waukee . 11-2 . 51

5. Bettendorf . 12-1 . 41

6. Ankeny. 9-3 . 25

7. Cedar Falls . 8-3 . 24

8. Ankeny Centennial . 7-3 . 23

9. Lewis Central . 9-2 . 19

10. Ames . 6-4 . 16

First place votes in parentheses.

District 5 Preview

Others receiving votes: Johnston 9, Southeast Polk 7, Iowa City West 6, Pleasant Valley 6, Linn-Mar 2, Cedar Rapids Kennedy 1, Fort Dodge 1

Very few teams in 4A were hit as hard by graduation as defending district champion Linn-Mar, and that would signal a shift of power up I-380 to the Cedar Valley. Consider Waterloo West a dark-horse threat despite a 3-6 record last season. Cedar Rapids Kennedy brings back its top rusher (Tyler Dralle) and top receiver and tackler (North Dakota State commit Shaun Beyer) with hopes of avoiding another slow start.

Projected Finish1. Cedar Falls

2. Waterloo West

3. Cedar Rapids Kennedy

4. Linn-Mar

5. Cedar Rapids Jefferson

6. Waterloo East

Live on KCRG 9.2Aug. 27: Iowa City West at Cedar Rapids Kennedy (non-district)

Sept. 10: Davenport North at Cedar Rapids Jefferson (non-district)

Sept. 17: Linn-Mar at Cedar Rapids Washington (non-district)

Oct. 22: Linn-Mar at Cedar Rapids Jefferson

Emphasis on togetherness fuels Kennedy's expectations

A small block of wood has become the cornerstone of the Cedar Rapids Kennedy football team.

This season will be built on the message written on it.

The Cougars are unified this season, adopting a 'family' attitude in an attempt to return to the postseason and advance beyond the playoffs' second round.

Read More.

Linn-Mar will be a mix of old, new this fall

Linn-Mar's "meet the team night" will be important, because there will be plenty of new Lions on the field this fall.

The familiar faces, however, will be responsible to lead the way.

Linn-Mar returns just seven letterwinners from last season will try to mesh them with a group of eager green players to earn another trip to the playoffs.

Read more.

Jefferson hopes to keep making strides

Last season was a watershed year for Cedar Rapids Jefferson football.

After three total wins from 2009 to 2013, the J-Hawks improved to 4-6 and made the playoffs for the first time in Coach Brian Webb's tenure.

Even with most of the strong leadership gone to graduation, finding the right guys to fill those spots — in a group Webb has had since they came in as freshmen — has been fairly easy.

Read more.

District 6 Preview

Cedar Rapids Washington sped to the 4A state championship game last year, and returns the majority of its playmakers. Their return makes the Warriors the best bet to represent the east side of the state in the 4A final again. The gap between Washington and the rest of the pack in 4A-6 is wide.

Projected Finish1. Cedar Rapids Washington

2. Iowa City High

3. Cedar Rapids Prairie

4. Ottumwa

5. Muscatine

6. Burlington

Live on KCRG 9.2Sept. 17: Linn-Mar at Cedar Rapids Washington (non-district)

Sept. 18: Iowa City West at Iowa City High (non-district)

Oct. 8: Cedar Rapids Prairie at Cedar Rapids Washington

Washington offense will once again feature variety of playmakers

Cedar Rapids Washington Coach Paul James has plenty of options when it comes to calling plays.

He has the luxury of a strong core of accomplished skill players at his disposal.

The Warriors return many key components of a potent offense, looking to match the numbers and performance from a state runner-up team.

Read more.

Repeat of 2014 performance not welcome at City High

Dan Sabers doesn't want to go through another season like last year.

The 15th-year Iowa City High coach hopes a new attitude and approach on defense and some returning firepower on offense can put the traditionally strong Little Hawks back into contention.

City finished 2-7 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and only the second time in the last 23 seasons.

Read more.

New coach, new scheme at Prairie

Mark Bliss met Jim Dostal at something called the Down Under Bowl, about 20 years ago in Australia.

It led to a friendship that lasts today. It's a friendship that brought Bliss to Cedar Rapids.

A four-time state champion at Conway Springs (Kan.), the 51-year-old Bliss brings his single-wing attack to Prairie High School.

Read more.

District 7 Preview

Iowa City West rallied past Linn-Mar on its way to the 4A quarterfinals after a pedestrian 5-4 regular season, and rates as the favorite to supplant Pleasant Valley at the top of this district. Only one team from this district will miss the playoffs, and Davenport Central and Dubuque Hempstead probably have enough to hold off Davenport North for the last two spots.

Projected Finish1. Iowa City West

2. Pleasant Valley

3. Davenport Central

4. Dubuque Hempstead

5. Davenport North

Live on KCRG 9.2Aug. 27: Iowa City West at Cedar Rapids Kennedy (non-district)

Sept. 10: Davenport North at Cedar Rapids Jefferson (non-district)

Sept. 18: Iowa City West at Iowa City High (non-district)

West has simple goal: Win district, move on

Even after a stellar first season, Garrett Hartwig didn't know if he'd be back as coach for Iowa City West.

Hartwig led the Trojans to a quarterfinal playoff appearance last season — matching the school's best finish in the last 12 years.

But those results came under the "interim" coach label. After a comprehensive coaching search, athletics director Scott Kibby said Hartwig was the clear choice.

Read more.

Team to Beat

Pella: The Little Dutch rolled to a state championship last season, winning 14 games by an average of 36.7 points. A lot of talent is back on both sides of the ball, led by senior quarterback Noah Clayberg, a dynamic rusher.

Gazette/KCRG/KGYM Preseason Rankings

Rank . Team . 2014 W-L . Points

1. Pella (8) . 14-0 . 80

2. Cedar Rapids Xavier . 9-4 . 57

3. Dallas Center-Grimes . 10-2 . 54

T-4. Sioux City Heelan . 12-1 . 44

T-4. West Delaware . 10-2 . 44

6. Carlisle . 8-3 . 31

7. Solon . 9-2 . 24

T-8. Carroll . 10-2 . 17

T-8. Waverly-Shell Rock . 8-3 . 17

10. Gilbert . 8-3 . 13

First place votes in parentheses. Others receiving votes: Creston/Orient-Macksburg 11, Humboldt 11, Davenport Assumption 10, Bondurant-Farrar 9, Washington 8, Norwalk 4, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 3, Western Dubuque 2, Harlan 1

District 3 Preview

Quarterback Brent Lammers has moved on, but West Delaware remains the favorite to capture the district championship. Coy Roussell ran for 1,220 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, and the Hawks also return two of the district's top two receivers (John Nagel and Max Ridenour) as well as Colin Weber and Bennett Cole, who combined for 171 tackles. Last season, Independence made its first playoff appearance in 29 years. Now, the Mustangs pursue their first playoff win ever. They've got the horses to do it.

Projected Finish1. West Delaware

2. Independence

3. Waverly-Shell Rock

4. Vinton-Shellsburg

5. Charles City

6. Decorah

7. Crestwood

Live on KCRG 9.2Oct. 23: West Delaware at Decorah

District 4 Preview

Year 2 of life as a Class 3A school has Cedar Rapids Xavier in unfamiliar territory. Generally a ferocious defensive outfit (it allowed 11.9 points per game in 2014), Xavier lost almost all of its key cogs on that side of the ball. That leaves the Saints, a state semifinalist last year, a little vulnerable.

Projected Finish1. Cedar Rapids Xavier

2. Solon

3. Dubuque Wahlert

4. Western Dubuque

5. Maquoketa

6. Marion

7. DeWitt Central

Live on KCRG 9.2Aug. 28: Solon at Iowa City Regina (non-district)

Sept. 4: Marion at Washington (non-district)

Sept. 11: Cedar Rapids Xavier at Solon

Xavier's schedule more familiar after run to 3A semifinals

They're used to everything now, which should scare Cedar Rapids Xavier's football opponents mightily.

Despite unfamiliarity, the Saints thrived in their first go around in Class 3A last season. They won nine times, including three times in teh playoffs, before falling to eventual champ Pella in the semifinals.

The schedule this fall is the same, just reverse the locations of the games from 2014.

Read more.

Solon having fun, getting serious

Running around, to put it loosely, is probably the strength of a Solon team ranked seventh in Class 3A in the preseason poll.

Three of the top four receivers — Jacob Coons, Nate Christensen and Halston Durr — return and quarterback Brandon Childs is even more confident.

Childs accounted for 17 touchdowns (10 passing, seven rushing) in his first season under center with just two interceptions.

Read more.

Marion putting 1-8 campaign in rearview mirror

When a football team has a rough season, coaches can approach the ensuing season, in general, one of two ways: do your best to forget it completely and look forward; or use what kept you from being what you could've been as motivation.

In his 16th season as head coach at Marion, Tony Perkins has only ever done the former.

Eyes forward at all times, he said, even after a 1-8 2014 season in which his Indians committed 22 turnovers.

Read more.

District 5 Preview

Washington and upstart Clear Creek Amana tied for the district title last season, but Davenport Assumption, which moved from 4A to 3A prior to last season, returns a host of starters after finishing just one game back in the 2014 standings.

Projected Finish1. Davenport Assumption

2. Washington

3. Fairfield

4. Fort Madison

5. Keokuk

6. Clear Creek Amana

7. Mount Pleasant

Clear Creek Amana chasing another hit

Clear Creek Amana recorded one of its best seasons in recent years in 2014.

Under third-year co-coaches Matt and Ronnie Hughes, the Clippers' goal is to be more like Billy Joel than Billy Ray Cyrus.

"We don't want to be a one-hit wonder," Matt Hughes said.

Read more.

District 6 Preview

Parity was the name of the game last season as three times tied for second place behind Ballard. Benton Community looks to jump into the playoff race this season after a sixth-place finish a year ago.

Projected Finish1. Bondurant-Farrar

Team to Beat

2. Gilbert

3. Benton Community

4. Grinnell

5. Ballard

6. Newton

7. Nevada

North Fayette Valley: North Fayette Valley lost its yardage-churning backs from its 2014 title run, but welcomes back 365-pound defensive tackle Juan Harris, a University of Iowa commitment.

Gazette/KCRG/KGYM Preseason Rankings

Rank . Team . 2014 W-L . Points

1. North Fayette Valley (3) . 13-1 . 59

2. Central Lyon-GLR (1) . 6-4 . 49

3. Spirit Lake (2) . 11-1 . 46

4. Albia (1) . 11-2 . 42

5. Dyersville Beckman . 10-3 . 38

6. Sioux Center . 12-2 . 33

7. South Tama . 8-3 . 31

8. Clear Lake . 10-1 . 30

9. Baxter CMB (1) . 10-1 . 18

10. Anamosa. 7-3 . 17

First place votes in parentheses. Others receiving votes: Williamsburg 16, Hampton-Dumont 15, Center Point-Urbana 8, New Hampton 7, Waukon 7, Clarinda 6, Mount Vernon 6, Aplington-Parkersburg 5, Cascade 4, Union 3

District 3 Preview

Once again, without a doubt, this is the strongest 2A district in the state. North Fayette Valley is the defending state champion, but the TigerHawks will have a multitude of competition in their own backyard. Dyersville Beckman, a semifinalist last year, is stacked in the backfield and on defense. Center Point-Urbana was the lone team to defeat NFV last year, and the Stormin' Pointers return a good amount of their talent.

Projected Finish1. Dyersville Beckman

2. North Fayette Valley

3. Waukon

4. Center Point-Urbana

5. New Hampton

6. Oelwein

7. Waterloo Columbus

Senior QB Kramer playing big for CPU

Clayton Kramer hasn't always been the big man on the Center Point-Urbana campus.

Kramer, the Stormin' Pointers' returning senior starter at quarterback, played football in fifth and sixth grade, but sat out in junior high.

Now Kramer is the guy CPU is relying upon to win and get it back to the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years under Coach Dan Burke.

Read more.

District 4 Preview

It was a memorable 2014 for the Anamosa Raiders, who snapped a 26-game losing streak, followed it with seven consecutive wins and reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The Raiders won't be a one-hit wonder. Instead, they're the firm favorites to take the next step and win a district championship. Tipton is on the rise and Mount Vernon also brings back a wealth of talent offensively. Despite some heavy losses, defending champ Cascade probably returns enough to return to the postseason.

Projected Finish1. Anamosa

2. Tipton

3. Mount Vernon

4. Cascade

5. Monticello

6. Camanche

7. Northeast

Live on KCRG 9.2Oct. 2: Monticello at Anamosa

Mount Vernon eyes another playoff berth

In the first year of the Lance Pedersen era at Mount Vernon, the Mustangs reached the Class 2A football playoffs en route to a 6-5 record.

With 12 returning starters, including two quarterbacks, their leading rusher and receiver, and a mountain of a lineman to lead the way, the expectations may be higher for the Mustangs this season.

Read more.

District 5 Preview

Williamsburg fell two points short of the UNI-Dome last year, winning its first 11 games and reaching the 2A quarterfinals before dropping a 9-7 decision to Albia. The Raiders go into reload mode, but have a fighting chance to repeat as district champions. Mid-Prairie is poised for a big jump.

Projected Finish1. Williamsburg

2. Mid-Prairie

3. Mediapolis

4. Central Lee

5. West Liberty

6. West Burlington-Notre Dame

7. Louisa-Muscatine

Live on KCRG 9.2Oct. 9: South Tama at Williamsburg (non-district)

District 6 Preview

Union is the defending district champion, but South Tama and Aplington-Parkersburg look to challenge for the title this season with the most talent returning.

Projected Finish1. South Tama

2. Aplington-Parkersburg

3. Iowa Falls-Alden

4. Union

5. Roland-Story

6. South Hardin

7. East Marshall

Live on KCRG 9.2Oct. 9: South Tama at Williamsburg (non-district)

Team to Beat

Iowa City Regina: How far have the dynamic, dynastic Regina Regals distanced themselves from the rest of the field in Class 1A football? In what would figure to be a reloading campaign, they're still the top-ranked team. Unanimously.

Gazette/KCRG/KGYM Preseason Rankings

Rank . Team . 2014 W-L . Points

1. Iowa City Regina (8) . 13-1 . 80

2. South Winneshiek . 12-1 . 52

3. Dike-New Hartford . 9-3 . 47

4. West Branch . 10-1 . 46

5. Fort Dodge St. Edmond . 12-1 . 41

T-6. IKM-Manning . 11-1 . 30

T-6. West Lyon . 12-2 . 30

8. Avoca AHSTW . 8-3 . 29

9. Hinton . 9-2 . 23

10. South Central Calhoun . 8-4 . 21

First place votes in parentheses. Others receiving votes: Pella Christian 16, Saint Ansgar 10, Ogden 6, Madrid 3, North Cedar 3, Ridge View 2, Panorama 1

District 4 Preview

Despite the graduation of 2015 Gazette Athlete of the Year finalist Jordan Rommes, South Winneshiek isn't going anywhere. The Warriors, who are coming off a 12-1, state-semifinal season in which they scored 30 points or more on 10 occasions, still are rich in talent.

Projected Finish1. South Winneshiek

2. Dike-New Hartford

3. Sumner-Fredericksburg

4. Jesup

5. Clayton Ridge

6. Hudson

7. MFL MarMac

District 5 Preview

Though overshadowed by Iowa City Regina in 1A, West Branch remains a consistent winner. The Bears were 10-1 last year and won the district title. No reason to think they won't repeat behind Luke Lenoch. The Bears' biggest challenge may come from Alburnett, which returns the majority of its skill personnel.

Projected Finish1. West Branch

2. Alburnett

3. Wilton

4. Durant

5. Bellevue

6. North Cedar

7. Wapello

Alburnett has plenty of 'skill' to improve

Alburnett quarterback Dillion Caves may be the conductor on the field, but make no mistake, the Pirates are not a one-man band.

The senior signal-caller finished 2014 with 2,006 combined passing and rushing yards, which was good enough for 12th in Class 1A.

However, head coach Ken Kasper is quick to point out Caves isn't all alone on the field.

Read more.

District 6 Preview

The dynasty at Iowa City Regina has reached historical proportions. The Regals are on a run of five consecutive state championships and have won 69 of 70 games through that blitz. A lot of the Regals' key pieces have moved on, but Regina is a heavy favorite to win another district title.

Projected Finish1. Iowa City Regina

2. Pella Christian

3. Sigourney-Keota

4. Highland

5. Columbus Community

6. Eddyville EBF

7. West Marshall

Live on KCRG 9.2Aug. 28: Solon at Iowa City Regina (non-district)

Regina takes aim at history, but must find new QB first

It's only August, but Marv Cook has probably been asked hundreds of times if Iowa City Regina will win another state championship this fall.

The question that follows is just as interesting, and foreshadows the first: who takes over for all-state quarterback Drew Cook?

There's not a clear answer yet.

Read more.

Team to Beat

Gladbrook-Reinbeck: Logan-Magnolia beat Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 28-24, in a championship thriller last season. This fall, G-R opens on top, looking to finish the job at the UNI-Dome.

Gazette/KCRG/KGYM Preseason Rankings

Rank . Team . 2014 W-L . Points

1. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (6) . 12-2 . 78

2. Logan-Magnolia (1) . 14-0 . 63

3. Pekin . 11-1 . 59

4. Ackley AGWSR . 9-4 . 44

5. Denver . 8-5 . 39

6. Mount Ayr . 11-2 . 35

7. BGM (1) . 8-3 . 22

8. Belmond-Klemme . 6-4 . 19

9. Montezuma . 10-1 . 18

10. Maquoketa Valley . 10-1 . 12

First place votes in parentheses. Others receiving votes: Woodbury Central 9, Bedford 7, Westwood 7, Nashua-Plainfield 6, South O'Brien 6, Audubon 5, West Sioux 4, Earlham 3, Council Bluffs St. Albert 2, West Hancock 2

District 4 Preview

Gladbrook-Reinbeck opens the season ranked No. 1 in the state, but watch out for Denver. The Cyclones improved drastically last season, losing four regular-season games before bursting through the playoffs, falling to G-R in the semifinals.

Projected Finish1. Gladbrook-Reinbeck

2. Denver

3. Ackley AGWSR

4. Grundy Center

5. North Tama

6. Wapsie Valley

7. Conrad BCLUW

District 5 Preview

After running roughshod through this district behind Ryan Parmely in 2014, Maquoketa Valley will experience a little more resistance this fall. The Wildcats remain a slight favorite to repeat, but on paper, there doesn't appear to be much of a gap between 1 and 7. East Buchanan could be ready for a big leap and Lisbon will try to build on its 10-year streak of playoff berths.

Projected Finish1. Maquoketa Valley

2. East Buchanan

3. Lisbon

4. North-Linn

5. Edgewood-Colesburg

6. Starmont

7. Easton Valley

8. Postville

Lisbon taking workmanlike approach to 2015

Entering his 20th season as head coach, Lisbon's Kent Allison believes success hinges on whether or not his team buys into a "blue collar" approach to the season.

Coming off a 7-4 season that ended in a second-round playoff loss to Pekin, the Lions will need some new players to step up, especially at skill positions.

Allison believes this team possesses the personnel to battle in a competitive district.

Read more.

North-Linn hopes to air it out this season

The only obstacle that may have an impact on North-Linn's offensive game plan this season is ... the weather.

The Lynx will return last year's quarterback, Logan Novak, wide receivers Brandon Stepanek and Ben Wolff, as well as tight end Luke Oswald.

With many key skill players returning to the lineup after a 4-6 season, the Lynx have their sights set on the playoffs — and beyond.

Read more.

District 6 Preview

Pekin tore through the regular season undefeated last year, its closest game a five-point win over Lone Tree, and is the favorite once again. Lone Tree will fight for a playoff spot.

Projected Finish1. Pekin

2. Winfield-Mount Union

3. Van Buren

4. WACO

5. Lone Tree

6. Danville

7. New London

8. Cardinal

Lone Tree's Hudson focused on wins, not yardage

He may be a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, but Jared Hudson feels his biggest contribution to claiming Lone Tree's elusive playoff victory is on defense.

Up to this point, offense has been pretty fun for the Lone Tree senior fullback. After rushing for 1,026 yards as a sophomore, Hudson torched Class A defenses by running for 984 yards over the final five regular-season games despite adjusting to a protective knee brace.

Still, Lone Tree bowed out in the playoff opener for the third straight year.

Read more.

District 7 Preview

There's some star power returning here, and a lot of it is in the form of BGM Bears and Colfax-Mingo Tigerhawks. BGM brings back the district's leading rusher in Colton Massengale, who ran for 1,725 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Bears are the favorites.

Projected Finish1. BGM

Team to Beat

2. Colfax-Mingo

3. Lynnville-Sully

4. Montezuma

5. Belle Plaine

6. North Mahaska

7. Iowa Valley

8. Garwin GMG

Newell-Fonda: The Mustangs lost their first three games of 2014, but reeled off 11 straight to claim the state championship. Newell-Fonda opens as the favorite, but the front end of the 8-Player list is tightly bunched, with the top six teams separated by only nine points

Gazette/KCRG/KGYM Preseason Rankings

Rank . Team . 2014 W-L . Points

1. Newell-Fonda (2) . 11-3 . 56

2. Coon Rapids-Bayard . 9-2 . 54

3. West Bend-Mallard (3) . 10-2 . 52

4. Glidden-Ralston (1) . 10-1 . 50

5. Don Bosco (1) . 11-1 . 48

6. Fremont-Mills (1) . 13-1 . 47

7. Marcus MMC . 10-3 . 37

8. HLV . 11-2 . 28

9. Janesville . 10-1 . 23

10. Ruthven GTRA . 8-2 . 18

First place votes in parentheses. Others receiving votes: Elkader Central 12, Turkey Valley 6, Northwood-Kensett 4, Colo-Nesco 3, Lamoni 1, Springville 1

District 4 Preview

Elkader Central has found its niche in the eight-player game, and it reached a crescendo with an 11-1 season that ended in the quarterfinals last fall. The Warriors will try to maintain that level despite the graduation of Nathan Fitzgerald.

Projected Finish1. Elkader Central

2. Turkey Valley

3. Midland

4. Springville

5. Lansing Kee

6. Central City

7. West Central

8. Cedar Valley Christian.

Springville ready to show its versatility

After consecutive seasons of leaning on one primary offense producer, Springville football is looking to spread it around by spreading it out.

After narrowly missing out on a berth in the 8-player playoffs, the Orioles (4-5 last season) are implementing a new offensive alignment more in line with the increasingly-popular spread formations.

The trigger man is Jacob Loehr, who was forced to miss the last four games with a broken collarbone.

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New Central City coach wants to change program's mindset

Central City football has a new coaching staff and a new outlook for the 2015 season, which began with a 42-0 Week 0 win over Rockford on Friday.

Matt Miers is the new head coach for the eight-man team. He was previously the passing game coordinator at Solon and the offensive coordinator at Kennedy.

Miers decided on the theme building a new tradition to begin a new chapter in Wildcat football.

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Cedar Valley Christian looks to youth to build future

Freshmen and sophomores have plenty of opportunities to get some varsity action at Cedar Valley Christian this fall.

The five freshmen on this year's team have just four seniors to look up to and learn from while a sophomore takes on the role of quarterback.

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District 5 Preview

The pivotal game, once again, figures to be contested in Week 6, between Don Bosco and HLV. This year, it's at Victor. Don Bosco brings back its top two tacklers from a unit that allowed just 12 points per game while HLV welcomes back seven of its top eight. HLV also has multiple options in its running attack.

Projected Finish1. Don Bosco

2. HLV

3. Colo-Nesco

4. Meskwaki Settlement

5. English Valleys

6. Grand View Christian

7. Tri-County

8. Dunkerton

Cover Story: Jeff Johnson, District Picks: Jeff Linder, Rankings Committee: Jeff Johnson, KJ Pilcher, Jeff Linder, Jeremiah Davis, Douglas Miles, Nathan Ford (Gazette), Scott Westerberg (KCRG-TV9), Scott Unash (KGYM)