Dowling Catholic's 2010 squad (pictured here) won it all. This year's edition is ranked No. 2 in the state to begin, right behind Valley High.
Photo by Chad Bassman
1. Valley (West Des Moines)
2011 finish: 14-0
Head coach: Gary Swenson
Team previewWinners of 14 straight games and the defending 4A state champions, Valley begins the season ranked No. 1 in Iowa despite returning just one starter on defense. Fortunately for coach Gary Swenson, that one starter is All-State defensive tackle
Sam Raridon (6-foot-2, 256 pounds), who is one of several outstanding linemen gracing the Tiger roster. Back on the offensive side of the ball is mountainous
Jake Campos (6-7, 255) who earned All-Conference honors as a junior. Both Raridon and Campos are headed to Division 1 schools next year with Raridon off to Wisconsin and Campos headed to Missouri.
Cameron Hansen also returns on the offensive line after earning All-Conference honors last season. The Tigers lose their top running back, but 1,000-yard rusher
Tyus Mason (junior) returns after gaining 1,008 yards with 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. The Tigers are solid at receiver as
Clint Boffelli (21 catches, 396 yards) returns along with
Tanner Hinkle (31-364). Valley defeated Bettendorf 17-14 in the Class 4A state finals last year and has won four state titles in the past 10 seasons. Valley is ranked second on our
Iowa's Top 10 most consistent football programs list.
2. Dowling (West Des Moines)
2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Tom Wilson
Team previewThe Maroons went 9-3 last season, losing twice to Valley (West Des Moines) after winning the state championship in 2010. A perennial league champ, Dowling has won six league titles in the past seven years. Although Dowling returns few starters, coach Tom Wilson has an undefeated junior varsity group moving up to the varsity. He also has the state's best tight end in
Jon Wisnieski (6-5, 220) along with All-Conference players
Mike Sherinian at linebacker and
Matthew Haack at wide receiver. Haack caught 24 passes for 410 yards last season. Dowling is ranked No. 5 in our June, 2011 list of
Iowa's Top 10 football dynasties.
3. Ankeny
2011 finish: 11-2
Head coach: Jerry Pezzetti
Team previewThe Hawks went 11-2 last year, falling to Dowling and Valley. Coach Jerry Pezzetti returns the bulk of his offense as seven starters return, including All-Conference picks
Will Simpkins (center),
Joel Lanning (quarterback) and
Marshall Clark (wide receiver). Lanning is one of the leading returning passers in the state with 1,733 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. Lanning was also the team's second-leading rusher with 636 yards. Clark, a junior, was his top target, catching 36 passes for 792 yards and nine scores. On defense, the Hawks have
Drew Carlson at linebacker. He racked up 75 tackles as a junior. Ankeny will need to replace one player featured on our list of
Iowa Class of 2012 Division 1 football signees.
4. Lincoln (Des Moines)
2011 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Tom Mihalovich
Team previewThe Railsplitters suffered just two losses in 2011, falling to Dowling and Southeast Polk. Lincoln won the Central Iowa Metro-Metro League and returns 11 starters from that team, including the starting quarterback in
Michael Downing (30-66, 510 yards) and leading receiver
Trevon Young (6-5, 220), who is headed to Iowa. The offense also benefits from the return of
Brendon Bolokor (6-1, 230) on the offensive line. Lincoln also has six starters back on defense, including linebacker
Michael Walker (6-1, 225). Lincoln hopes to add its name to the list of
Iowa state football champions in the past 10 years list.
5. Southeast Polk (Runnells)
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Denny Muller
Team previewThe Rams have a good shot at vying for a Class 4A state title thanks to the return of quarterback
Kyle Starcevich (6-4, 200), who threw for 2,291 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. The Rams' only two losses were both to Ankeny. Starcevich has a solid running tandem behind him in
Dalton Sanford (820 yards) and
Jordan Beem (807), however none of his top receivers return. On defense, All-Conference picks
Luke Sargent (defensive line) and
Brandon Johnson (defensive back) both return. Search for Southeast Polk players on the list of
2011 Iowa All-District football teams.
