Top 25 Iowa high school football state rankings (10/20/2024)

Shakeup in the Top 5 as an old familiar face returns to the top of the poll; Independence re-enters at No. 25

Dowling Catholic head coach Tom Wilson congratulates his players after an overtime win over WDM on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Valley Stadium. / Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Much of the state will begin playoff action this week while the rest put the finishing touches on the regular season. Here is a look at this week’s High School on SI Top 25 Iowa high school football state rankings:

1. West Des Moines Dowling (7-1)

Previous rank: 2

Is this the year Tom Wilson and the Maroons return to the top? They found a way to edge Southeast Polk last week, 35-34.

2. Bettendorf (8-0)

Previous rank: 4

The lone 5A unbeaten almost fell, rallying back before denying Cedar Rapids Prairie’s two-point attempt in a 48-47 victory.

3. Johnston (6-2)

Previous rank: 5

With wins over Ankeny, Waukee and Southeast Polk during this five-game run, the Dragons are looking red-hot at the right time.

4. West Des Moines Valley (6-2)

Previous rank: 1

The Tigers just could not get on track vs. Ankeny, failing to generate much on offense while also turning the ball over multiple times in a 13-10 loss.

5. Linn-Mar (7-1)

Previous rank: 7

All the Lions continue to do is win, holding off Iowa City High for a 28-27 triumph.

6. North Polk (8-0)

Previous rank: 8

You can bet Alleman will be amped up when ADM comes to town for the regular season finale.

7. Pella (8-0)

Previous rank: 9

Pella can close out a perfect regular season with a win over Gilbert after surviving vs. Bondurant-Farrar. They are 4-0 in one-score games this year.

8. Iowa City Liberty (7-1)

Previous rank: 10

The high-flying Lightning waxed Waterloo West, 63-9, to extend their win streak to five.

9. Decorah (8-0)

Previous rank: 11

Eight up, eight down for the Vikings, who got by a pesky Western Dubuque, 10-7.

10. Lewis Central (7-1)

Previous rank: 3

The Titans were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten by Norwalk. How will they respond at Dallas Center-Grimes this week? 

11. Dubuque Wahlert (8-0)

Previous rank: 12

One challenge remains on the docket for the Golden Eagles to secure perfection, as they head to Maquoketa this Friday night.

12. Humboldt (7-1)

Previous rank: 13

Derrick Elman and the Wildcats had no letdown after knocking off Algona, hitting the road to claim the district title with a win over Clear Lake. 

13. West Lyon (8-0)

Previous rank: 14

Not even rival Central Lyon/George-Little Rock could provide the Wildcats with a challenge in a 41-7 cakewalk. 

14. Spirit Lake (7-1)

Previous rank: 15

Just one team over the last seven weeks have scored more than a TD on the Indians, who are winning by an average of 35 points per game this year. 

15. Grundy Center (8-0)

Previous rank: 16

The defending 1A state champs posted their second shutout in the last three weeks, rolling Hudson, 35-0. 

16. Pleasant Valley (6-2)

Previous rank: 6

Iowa City West rode the arm of Jack Wallace to a 49-35 victory over the Spartans, snapping their six-game win streak.

17. West Hancock (8-0)

Previous rank: 18

No opposing team has scored more than seven points on the Eagles since midway through September, a stretch of five games. 

18. ACGC (8-0)

Previous rank: 19

Having scored over 40 points each of the last four games, the Chargers bring a red-hot attack into the playoffs. 

19. Algona (7-1)

Previous rank: 17

The Bulldogs rallied to get past Webster City as sophomore Nathan Manske had a hand in all four touchdowns while replacing brother and Iowa State commit Alex Manske at QB.

20. Ankeny Centennial (6-2)

Previous rank: 20

Just 14 points are keeping the Jaguars from perfection, as they look to finish strong vs. Urbandale this week.

21. ADM (7-1)

Previous rank: 21

It will be a showdown for all the marbles when the Tigers and North Polk duke it out this Friday night.

22. Williamsburg (7-1)

Previous rank: 24

Nobody has been able to stay close to the Raiders since a two-point setback vs. Cedar Rapids Xavier, including Grinnell last week.

23. Mount Vernon (7-1)

Previous rank: 25

The Mustangs trucked through another overmatched opponent, besting Washington, 42-21.

24. Ankeny (4-4)

Previous rank: Not ranked

What a ride it has been for the Hawks, who knocked off previous No. 1 West Des Moines Valley in OT, 13-10. They also have wins over Iowa City West and West Des Moines Dowling on the resume.

25. Independence (6-2)

Previous: Not ranked

With two losses by a touchdown each to Decorah and Dubuque Wahlert on the road, it is easy to see just how dangerous this Indee team could be in October.