Iowa High School Football: Breaking Down Class 5A Groups

Favorites, dark horses, and playoff qualifiers in each of the six districts of the state’s largest class.

Waukee Northwest's Mack Heitland runs the ball during a football game at Waukee Northwest High School on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Waukee. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The largest classification for high school football in Iowa is Class 5A, with the state opting to use groups instead of the more familiar district format.

For dividing purposes, there are still “districts” in Class 5A, but the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Football Playoffs use an RPI to determine who qualifies and who gets left out.

While determining how the RPI might play out is virtually impossible, we can still forecast each district race in Class 5A to see who is the favorite, who is a dark horse and what the standings might look like by the end of the regular season.

Here is a preview for each of the six districts or groups in Class 5A of Iowa high school football.

Iowa High School Football Class 5A Group Predictions

Southeast Polk's Stanley Cooper reacts after scoring a touchdown during a 5A playoff football game at Ankeny Stadium on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Ankeny. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Group 1

Teams: Des Moines East, Iowa City High, Norwalk, Ottumwa, Southeast Polk, Waukee Northwest.

Favorite: Waukee Northwest made a giant climb a year ago, reaching the state semifinals. And while the Wolves must replace several key players, they still return the likes of quarterback Mack Heitland, running back Paulo Tobongye and wide receivers Jordon Green and Joe Vinyard to what should be an explosive offense.

Dark horse: It is hard to call Southeast Polk a dark horse, but after not winning the district, the Rams could be considered a bit of a sleeper this season. They boast star running back Stanley Cooper and quarterback Boston Bailey, along with defensive standout Cooper Chebuhar.

Predicted playoff teams: Iowa City High, Southeast Polk, Waukee Northwest.

Dowling Catholic’s Carter Barrett (77) blocks during a game against Waukee on Oct. 10, 2025, at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Group 2

Teams: Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Dallas Center-Grimes, Dowling Catholic, Marshalltown, Waterloo West, Waukee.

Favorite: As the defending Class 5A state champions, Dowling Catholic will need to replace a lot of talent from last fall. But the Maroons just constantly reload, and this season should be no different. Ethan La Cava is expected to step in as QB1 while Grayson Pennington and Henry Smid look to replace Ian Middleton at running back.

Dark horse: Chase Engel, Osborn Grimm and Chase Heitland all return for Dallas Center-Grimes, who just continues to show they can play in the state’s largest classification regardless of the sport. The Mustangs won seven games a season ago.

Predicted playoff teams: Dallas Center-Grimes, Dowling Catholic, Waukee.

Johnston's Emri Jones (6) runs the ball into open space against Urbandale on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at Frerichs Field in Urbandale. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Group 3

Teams: Ames, Ankeny, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, Des Moines Roosevelt, Johnston, Sioux City East.

Favorite: This could be the toughest district (group) in Class 5A, as two teams are in the High School On SI Iowa Preseason State Top 25 Rankings. Sioux City East must replace Cal Jepsen, but Callan Koch gained valuable experience last year and will have Kason Clayborne, Ames Collins, Isaiah Grant, Chris Ford and Tanner Boonstra all to help ease him in.

Dark horse: The Dragons are no real dark horse, as they are one of those top teams in the preseason poll, but Johnston fell to Sioux City East last year and will likely need to beat them to win the district. They are capable, with Trevin Helming, Emri Jones and Bryce Beachem among the key players back in the fold.

Predicted playoff teams: Johnston, Sioux City East.

Valley's Blake Dorenkamp runs the ball for a touchdown during the semifinal round of the Iowa high school football state championships at the UNI-Dome on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Cedar Falls. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Group 4

Teams: Ankeny Centennial, Des Moines Lincoln, Indianola, Sioux City North, Urbandale, Valley.

Favorite: Valley started the 2025 season with a win over eventual state champion Dowling Catholic, falling to the Maroons in the state semifinals. They will have running back Blake Dorenkamp back on offense and the likes of Asher Price and Benjamin Booth to anchor the defense.

Dark horse: Landon Rinnan is a dual-threat who has committed to the Air Force Academy after passing for over 800 yards and rushing for almost 600 to lead Urbandale. The J-Hawks return their leading receiver and have rising star Gabe Blanshan to lead the defense.

Predicted playoff teams: Ankeny Centennial, Indianola, Urbandale, Valley.

Iowa City High’s Dawson Kahl (16) runs the ball against Ames Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Group 5

Teams: Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Dubuque Hempstead, Dubuque Senior, Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Favorite: Dawson Kahl racked up over 1,000 yards rushing last year to lead Cedar Rapids Prairie, who also returns quarterback Cael Kongshaug, BJay Bush, Jr. and Drew Bennis to the offense. The Hawks must replace David Fason, but hung tough in close losses to Bettendorf (14-11), Cedar Falls (20-17) and Valley (26-20), with the last one coming in the postseason on the road.

Dark horse: Several key players have moved on due to graduation, but Cedar Falls has an incredible tradition of fielding strong, tough teams, and the Tigers should be in contention once more this fall.

Predicted playoff teams: Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Iowa City Liberty’s Pryor Reiners (4) scores a touchdown defended by Southeast Polk’s Kinnick Sanders (4) Nov. 7, 2025 during an Iowa high school quarterfinal football game in North Liberty, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Group 6

Teams: Davenport Central, Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City West, Linn-Mar, Muscatine, Pleasant Valley.

Favorite: Iowa City Liberty quickly ascended the Class 5A pecking order, reaching the state championship game last season. The Lightning will enter 2026 with some questions, as quarterback Reece Rettig has graduated and head coach Scott Chandler moved on. But Pryor Reiners, Emerson Berner and Brody Beaver look to keep Iowa City Liberty at the top.

Dark horse: Cross-town rival Iowa City West has its quarterback back in Reece Wheeler, as he threw for 2,280 yards and 22 TDs last fall. The Trojans need to replace top targets Ethan Headings and Julian Manson.

Predicted playoff teams: Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City West.