Here is a look at each and every district in Class 3A, 4A and 5A and each team’s prospects at making the high school football playoffs going into the last week of the regular season.
Class 3A
Top Two Teams in Each District make playoffs plus Four At-Large Teams determined by RPI
Bishop Heelan has clinched the district title and visits Algona this week. Sioux Center hosts Humboldt and Webster City visits MOC Floyd Valley. If Sioux Center wins, they get the #2 seed. A Humboldt win and a Webster City win means its a three way tie and it will go to a tiebreaker.
West Delaware visits Clear Lake on Friday night — the winner is the district champion and the loser will be the #2 seed. Benton visits Iowa Falls Alden and Charles City is at Independence. Independence has a good chance at an at large bid — they currently rank #9 in the RPI.
Wahlert has clinched the district title and the Golden Eagles host Maquoketa this week. Mount Vernon is at Davenport Assumption and Central DeWitt hosts Center Point Urbana. There could be two at large teams that come out of this district alone although the loser of the game between the Mustangs and Knights will not be in good shape. If Assumption wins, they get the #2 seed. If Mount Vernon wins and Central DeWitt wins, there will be a three way tie. Central DeWitt is currently #10 in the RPI standings so the Sabres is looking real good for an at large. Assumption and Mount Vernon are #17 and #18 so a loss this week could end their playoff chances.
Solon has clinched the district title and visit Fort Madison this week. Mount Pleasant is at Fairfield and Washington visits Keokuk. A Fairfield win and a win by the Demons and there is a three way tie. If Mount Pleasant wins, they get the #2 seed. Washington and Fairfield have an outside chance with a victory to move up in the RPI for an at large.
This district is wide open. Williamsburg hosts Saydel so the Raiders have the best chance at an automatic bid. Nevada is at Knoxville so the Cubs have a good chance as well. The other game is DMC at Winterset — if the Huskies win its a three way tie. If the Lions win, DMC and Winterset would be tied for third and assuming Williamsburg and Nevada win, they get the at large bids. All four teams are in the running for at large bids as well. Nevada is currently #7 and DMC is #8 in the RPI with Winterset #13. There is a good chance an at large bid comes from this district.
Atlantic visits Carroll and the winner gets the district title and the loser is the #2 seed. Harlan hosts Greene County but the Cyclones are ranked #29 right now in the RPI and it looks bleak for them to move up a lot of spots to get an at large. Greene County, Creston and Perry have no chances at the playoffs.
Class 4A
Top Two Teams in Each District make playoffs plus Four At-Large Teams determined by RPI
Sergeant Bluff Luton has clinched the district title — the Warriors visit Spencer this week. Fort Dodge needs a win at Sioux City West to clinch the #2 seed. There is a chance for a three way tie if the Dodgers lose, Spencer wins and Le Mars beats Storm Lake. Le Mars is currently #14 in the RPI and are on the bubble for an at large.
Xavier has sewn up the district title and #1 seed — the Saints visit Mason City. Waverly Shell Rock visits Decorah and the winner gets the #2 seed. Decorah is currently 10th in the RPI so a loss and they could get an at large. Mason City would need a win over Xavier to be considered a playoff team. Cedar Rapids Washington visits Waterloo East and they are both eliminated from playoff contention.
Western Dubuque has beaten both North Scott and Davenport North so they have clinched the district title. There cannot be a three way tie because North Scott visits Davenport North this week and the winner will be the #2 seed. North Scott is 12th in the RPI and Davenport North 13th so the loser would probably be eliminated from the at large spots. The Bobcats visit Burlington and Davenport West is at Clinton.
Newton has clinched the district title and host Marion this week. Pella visits Grinnell and the winner will be a #2 seed. The Dutch will be an at large team if they lose. Oskaloosa visits Clear Creek Amana in the other game. This district likely will only have two teams in the post-season.
North Polk visits Gilbert on Friday for the district title and the loser will be the #2 seed. The winner of Carlisle at Ballard will have a chance for an at large bid. Bondurant Farrar plays at Des Moines North for pride.
ADM has clinched the district title and hosts Denison Schleswig. Glenwood has clinched the 2nd seed and hosts Boone. Lewis Central is in good shape to make the playoffs as an at large but will need to beat CBTJ to secure that this week.
Class 5A
RPI determines the 16 playoff qualifiers, districts do not matter
It is hard to predict what will happen with the RPI but here are some key games for teams on the bubble
#16 Ankeny Centennial hosts Sioux City North
#15 SE Polk visits Des Moines East
#12 Waterloo West visits #17 Waukee
#2 Waukee North West is at #13 Norwalk
#14 Indianola hosts Urbandale
#18 Dubuque Senior is at #11 Prairie, Cedar Rapids
#19 Linn-Mar visits #10 Iowa City West
