Iowa High School Football Class Preseason Top 10 Rankings

Breaking down the top teams in each class of Iowa high school football for the 2026 season.

Kuemper Catholic’s Jarin Hoffman (5) carries the ball against the Van Meter Bulldogs Nov. 21, 2025 during the Class 2A high school state football championship at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

We have pushed through the long summer days and have reached the start of the Iowa high school football season.

While a handful of teams kicked things off with Week 0 games, the official start of the season will take place with Week 1 coming up.

High School On SI Iowa previously published a preseason Top 25 for the entire state, so now we will break each class down with a Top 10.

5A: Dowling Catholic Chasing Another State Championship

Last year, Dowling Catholic became the first program other than Southeast Polk to capture the Class 5A state title, adding to an already impressive trophy case. Now, the Maroons have become the hunted.

Looking to chase them down will be the likes of Waukee Northwest, Sioux City East and rival West Des Moines Valley. Dowling Catholic and the Tigers will square off in Week 1 once again this fall.

4A: Cash Parks, Cedar Rapids Xavier Enter Year Red-Hot

Led by quarterback Cash Parks, Cedar Rapids Xavier concluded the 2025 season unbeaten and as Class 4A state champions. And know what? The Saints have many of the tools back to make another run, starting with Parks.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton, playing in 4A for just the second season after jumping up from 3A, is among a pack of teams that will be looking to make some noise. Others include Newton, ADM, North Polk and Lewis Central.

3A: Is This The Year For Clear Lake Football?

Clear Lake put together a memorable season last fall, going unbeaten until an exit in the playoffs by eventual Class 3A state champion Nevada - a team the Lions bested in the regular season. Jaxson McIntire anchors the offense for Clear Lake, as he is a University of South Dakota commit.

Sioux City Bishop Heelan, Solon, Dubuque Wahlert Catholic and Williamsburg round out the early Top 5 in the class.

2A: Jarin Hoffman, Kuemper Catholic Back To Defend

While Kuemper Catholic lost several key pieces to graduation from its Class 2A perfect team in 2025, the Knights feature one of the best running backs in the state in Jarin Hoffman. Paired with a number of talented individuals, Kuemper Catholic has the pieces to repeat.

If not the Knights, keep an eye on perennial state contender Van Meter, Centerville and star quarterback Mack Murdock and OABCIG with future Iowa Hawkeye Jaxx DeJean.

1A: Top Of Class Is Loaded With State Contenders

On any given night, West Lyon, Iowa City Regina Catholic or Grundy Center could be considered one of the better small-school powerhouses in the state of Iowa. All three just so happen to be competing for a state title once again this fall.

A: Several Ready To Challenge MMCRU For Gold

Last year, MMCRU surprised many with a run to the Class A state title. This season, a number of worthy contenders are sitting there looking to do the same, led by preseason favorite Woodbury Central.

Eight-Player: The Wild, Wild West Of Iowa High School Football

If you have yet to witness an eight-player high school football game, do yourself a favor and check it out. Offenses can score from virtually any point on the field, and one or two defensive stops can be all the difference in the world to winning and losing.

Here are the class-by-class rankings for Iowa high school football.

Iowa High School Football Preseason Class Top 10 Rankings

Class 5A

1. Dowling Catholic
2. Waukee Northwest
3. Sioux City East
4. West Des Moines Valley
5. Johnston
6. Iowa City West
7. Iowa City Liberty
8. Cedar Rapids Prairie
9. Dallas Center-Grimes
10. Ankeny Centennial

Class 4A

1. Cedar Rapids Xavier
2. Sergeant Bluff-Luton
3. Newton
4. ADM
5. North Polk
6. Lewis Central
7. Western Dubuque
8. Fort Dodge
9. Waverly-Shell Rock
10. ADM

Class 3A

1. Clear Lake
2. Sioux City Bishop Heelan
3. Solon
4. Dubuque Wahlert Catholic
5. Williamsburg
6. Sioux City Bishop Heelan
7. Carroll
8. Sioux Center
9. Central DeWitt
10. Algona

Class 2A

1. Kuemper Catholic
2. Van Meter
3. Centerville
4. OABCIG
5. Wilton
6. Roland-Story
7. Waukon
8. Alburnett
9. Mid-Prairie
10. Okoboji

Class 1A

1. West Lyon
2. Iowa City Regina
3. Grundy Center
4. Pleasantville
5. South Hardin
6. Tri-Center
7. Underwood
8. Hudson
9. Treynor
10. Clarion-Goldfield/Dows

Class A

1. Woodbury Central
2. MMCRU
3. West Hancock
4. Saint Ansgar
5. West Sioux
6. Madrid
7. Wapsie Valley
8. Logan Magnolia
9. North Linn
10. ACGC

Eight-Player

1. Woodbine
2. Audubon
3. Bishop Garrigan
4. Iowa Valley
5. Edgewood-Colesburg
6. Gladbrook-Reinbeck
7. Bedford
8. Clarksville
9. Don Bosco
10. Moravia