October 19, 2018 By Chris Varney
The High School Football playoff picture is as clear as mud going into tonight’s games. 16 teams make it in each class with the district champs the only assured of a post-season game. The rest will try to qualify as an at-large and it will all depend on their RPI rankings. Here is a look at some possibilities:
Class 3A
Current District Champs (9): Sgt. Bluff-Luton, Lewis Central, Xavier, Solon, North Scott, Oskaloosa, Decorah, Norwalk, Carroll
Current At Large Teams (7): Sioux City Bishop Heelan, Waverly Shell Rock, Clear Creek Amana, Harlan, Pella, Spencer, and Epworth Western Dubuque
There are 9 districts so there only 7 at large spots available. The Dutch must win tonight against Grinnell to assure themselves of a playoff spot. If they lose, it will be to sub .500 team and their RPI will likely hit a tailspin. There could be a three way tie in District 3 if Independence beats Decorah tonight — they would be tied with Waverly Shell Rock and all three teams would get into the playoffs under the rules. Independence is currently 16th in the RPI so that would take an at large spot away. Spencer is at Heelan so that is a game to watch and could knock one of those teams out of contention.
Class 2A
Current District Champs (9): Boyden Hull/Rock Valley, Southeast Valley or Algona, Crestwood, Waukon, West Liberty, Williamsburg, Union, PCM, OABCIG/Greene County/Carroll Kuemper
Current At Large Teams (7): 2 Spots in District 9, Algona or Southeast Valley, Benton, Chariton, West Marshall, Spirit Lake
This class is a mess. District 9 could be a three way tie if OABCIG, Greene County and Kuemper all win tonight against the other three teams in the district. That means there are only 5 at large spots. Southeast Valley and Algona play for the title in District 2 tonight. Algona is #2 in the RPI and Southeast Valley is #7. If Algona loses, they have a better chance at an at large. Benton is sitting pretty but West Marshall is not. The Trojans host Union. If West Marshall wins, it will be a three way tie in District 7 with Benton and there will be two three way ties in Class 2A. That would mean just three at large spots. If West Marshall loses, their chances of making it are slim and none. Confused yet?
Class A
Current District Champs (10): District 1?, Sioux Central, Sioux Rapids; Algona Bishop Garrigan; Mason City Newman Catholic; Edgewood-Colesburg; Durant; Hudson; Lynnville-Sully; AHSTW or St. Albert; Sloan Westwood
Current At Large Teams (6): One spot in District 1; Belmond Klemme; BGM; North Tama; Wapsie Valley; West Hancock (if AHSTW wins tonight)
District One has three current teams tied for first place (Akron Westfield, South O’Brien and Hinton). Hinton and South O’Brien play each other this week and Akron Westfield plays winless MMCRU. So the Westerners look good. If Hinton wins, they are good too for the playoffs. If South O’Brien wins, chaos reigns. AHSTW and St. Albert play for the District 9 title; the loser could be eliminated although if AHSTW loses their RPI is currently #4. Bascially, BGM needs to beat Cardinal tonight and they will be assured of an at large spot. The Bears are currently 8th in the RPI. Lynnville Sully needs to beat winless Martensdale St. Mary’s to win their district outright.
8 Man
Current District Champs (8): Ar-We-Va; Northwood Kensett; 3 Way tie in District 3; Iowa Valley; Gladbrook Reinbeck; SE Warren; Fremont Mills or Stanton; Audubon or Exira EHK
Current At Large Teams (8): Two teams in District 2; Audubon or Exira EHK; Freomont Mills or Stanton; Don Bosco; New London; Newell Fonda; Rockford
HLV needs to beat Iowa Valley tonight. If that happens, the Warriors RPI will go up and they will be in a three way tie with the Tigers and New London (assuming they beat Montezuma and that is a big assumption). If Iowa Valley wins, HLV will not make the playoffs. Period. So a big game tonight.
The process is complicated and nobody has any answers right now.