As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Iowa for the 2009 season.
1. Valley
The Tigers lost a talented group of seniors from last year’s 14-0 4A state championship teams, which means Valley will have a tough time repeating as state champions this year. Recent history, however, says that the program is still in the mix. The Tigers have won six straight league titles and captured state crowns in 2003, 2005 and 2008. Games against Dowling on Sept. 4 and at Ames on Sept. 25 could bring an end to the Tigers’ 14-game win streak and knock them out of the running for a state title.
2. Solon
While most of the other defending state champions appear to be in a rebuilding mode, the Solon Spartans could be primed for another championship run after going 14-0 last year. In addition to returning the team’s best offensive weapon from last year in James Morris, the Spartans also have a talented wide receiver in junior Derrick Loveless and offensive lineman in Evan Constant. Finding a quarterback to replace Matt Morrison, who threw for 1,524 yards last year, will be a tough task. The lack of experience at QB could mean more carries for Morris, who ran for 2,011 yards and 30 touchdowns last year.
3. Cedar Falls
The Tigers have just three returning starters on offense, but one of them is returning all-state pick Jake Farley, who shined on offense, defense and specials teams last year. He’ll move into the starting spot at quarterback for coach Pat Mitchell, who ranks as one of the state’s all-time winningest coaches with 296 victories in 42 years. The Tigers also return their best lineman and defender with Jake Dix anchoring the offensive line at center and Jeff Conrad mowing down opposing running backs at linebacker. Conrad is one of six returning starters on defense. Cedar Falls finished 12-2 last year, falling to champion Valley 27-in the 4A state finals.
4. Bishop Heelan Catholic
The good news is that the Crusaders have 17 players returning from last year’s 14-0 team that won the 3A state championship. The bad news is that Brandon Wegher isn’t one of them. Wegher ran for 3,238 yards and 51 touchdowns last year and was the MaxPreps Medium Schools Player of the Year. With Wegher off to University of Iowa, the Crusader offense may shift focus this year and go to the air. Zach McCabe, an Iowa basketball recruit, is back for his third season at quarterback. He’ll also have a chance to hand off to a different Wegher, Brandon’s younger brother Cole who missed last season with a knee injury. He will reportedly be one of several backs who will take on the task of replacing the elder Wegher.
5. Washington
The Warriors should have the most explosive offense in the state this year with seven starters back on that side of the line including the state’s best player, senior running back Andre Dawson. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior was second team all-state last year after rushing for 1,485 yars and scoring 28 touchdowns. Dawson will also have a hugh blocker in front of him in 6-7, 250-pound lineman Matt Huffer. The team’s top wide receiver returns in Shay Gutman, however he may also spend some time behind center. The Tigers were 11-2 last year including a win over Cedar Falls. Washington also lost to Cedar Falls in the playoffs and fell to Iowa City during the regular seaon.
