SBLive Iowa Power 25 football rankings for Week 8
By Kevin White
1. West Des Moines Dowling (6-1)
With 1,454 yards passing and 1,140 yards rushing, Maroons continue to find great offensive balance.
2. Ankeny (6-1)
Hawks this week play host to a red-hot Waukee Northwest team coming off a win over Ankeny Centennial.
3. Southeast Polk (6-1)
Stats can be incredibly deceiving at times. Last week, the Rams were outgained 316-267 in a 41-0 win over Cedar Rapids Prairie.
4. Pleasant Valley (7-0)
It’s the burning question yet to be answered: How do the Spartans fit in vs. the three above it in these rankings?
5. Cedar Rapids Xavier (7-0)
Saints’ dominance vs. a rugged schedule merits a bump after a fourth straight shutout.
6. Waverly-Shell Rock (7-0)
Go-Hawks also earn a promotion for their season-long defensive prowess (5.4 points allowed per game), among other things.
7. Council Bluffs Lewis Central (7-0)
Although they’ve allowed five opponents to reach at least 20 points, Titans remain a major threat to repeat in 4-A.
8. Harlan Community (6-1)
Cyclones outgained previously unbeaten ADM 503-208 in their 42-7 victory.
9. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (7-0)
You can bet the other 2-A playoff qualifiers are hoping to avoid the Lions as long as possible.
10. Williamsburg (7-0)
If both teams continue to win, it would be fascinating to watch Williamsburg’s offense (48.6 points per game, No. 1 in 2-A) vs. Central Lyon’s defense (6.4 avg. points allowed).
11. Mount Vernon (7-0)
Mustangs, who have scored at least 42 in five straight outings, are one of two remaining unbeaten in Class 3-A.
12. Humboldt (7-0)
Wildcats join Mount Vernon as the 3-A squads who have yet to taste defeat in 2022.
13. Spirit Lake (7-0)
Indians’ passing (Caden Lundt) and rushing (Bode Higgins) leaders are sophomores, so they may not be going anywhere for awhile.
14. West Des Moines Valley (4-3)
Tigers meet No. 1 Dowling in a rivalry game this week that could change their path dramatically.
15. Western Dubuque (5-2)
With a trip to No. 6 Waverly-Shell Rock on Friday, Bobcats will find out if they’re contenders or pretenders.
16. Iowa City Liberty (6-1)
Graham Beckman passed for 304 yards on only nine attempts last week, an impressive 33.8 yards per completion.
17. Carlisle (6-1)
In last week’s big win over Indianola, Jes Krcil carried 23 times for 168 yards and a score, and Jack Laughlin toted it 22 times for 163 yards and two TDs.
18. North Scott (5-2)
Lancers lost 17-0 to Xavier and 20-16 to Liberty. They have four blowout wins and a 31-14 decision over Davenport Assumption.
19. Cedar Falls (5-2)
Which Cedar Rapids result is the more accurate depiction of the Tigers: the 24-7 loss to Prairie or the 23-16 win over Kennedy?
20. Waukee Northwest (4-3)
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. You can bet that’s a common refrain for the Wolves, who have four straight wins after opening with three losses.
21. Urbandale (5-2)
J-Hawks are 13th in the latest 5-A RPI rankings and close with the two Waukee schools.
22. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (6-1)
Cougars held previously unbeaten Davenport West to 70 total yards in their 44-0 shellacking.
23. West Branch (7-0)
Facing quality 1-A foes Mediapolis, Durant and Iowa City Regina the last three weeks, Bears won by 22, 36 and 23.
24. Ankeny Centennial (4-3)
Eighth in the 5-A RPI in large part due to their brutal schedule, Jaguars believe they can beat anyone in the large-school field.
25. Linn-Mar (4-3)
At 17th in the latest RPI rankings, Lions have work to do in their final two games vs. Davenport Central and Cedar Rapids Prairie.
