Meet Iowa's top traditional high school football dynasties

Throughout the history of Iowa high school football, several programs have created what you call a dynasty. 

From the recent run of Southeast Polk to the lengthy string of successful seasons put together by West Des Moines Dowling, to the dominance put forth by Harlan, several schools have made an impact.

Here is a look at those schools:

West Des Moines Dowling

From 2013 through 2019, nobody but West Des Moines Dowling hoisted the crown in the state’s largest class, 4A. The Maroons dominated, adding those seven consecutive titles to three others won in 2000, ‘01 and ‘10. The 10 total championships rank second all-time behind only Harlan.

Harlan 

With 14 state championships resting in the trophy case, the Cyclones are one of the premier powers in the state. Harlan has won each of the past two Class 3A titles and owns six since 2003. They are seeking a second three-peat to go along with gold from 2003-05.

West Des Moines Valley 

For several seasons, the UNI-Dome was home to classic battles between West Des Moines Dowling and West Des Moines Valley. The Tigers laid claim to Class 4A championships five times, with the most recent coming in 2011.

Grundy Center

Grundy Center won it all in 1984 for the first time and went back-to-back in 1987-88. The Spartans ended a lengthy drought this past fall by winning gold over West Hancock.

Southeast Polk

A more recent dynasty, the Rams are the reigning Class 5A powers, having captured each of the past two state titles in what is now the largest classification in Iowa. Southeast Polk has also turned out some of the premier players in the state who have moved on to Power 5 FBS programs.

Remsen St. Mary’s

The defending eight-player champions are Remsen St. Mary’s, as the Hawks put together a run that saw them dominate in the most unpredictable class. They also captured gold in 2020 and for the first time in 2004.

West Hancock

The Eagles have had title runs in multiple decades, winning the first in 1973 and the most recent two seasons ago. In all, West Hancock and Britt are home to four state championships.

Emmetsburg

It has been a bit of a tough run recently for the E-Hawks, but with nine titles to their credit, they cannot be left off the list. Under the guidance of Duane Twait, Emmetsburg went back-to-back twice with the most recent crown coming in 2008.

Bettendorf

It started in the early 1980s for the Bulldogs, as they won Class 4A in 1981, ‘87 and ‘88. More titles came with two straight in 1990 and ‘91 followed by two more in 2004 and ‘07.

Iowa City Regina

Former University of Iowa and NFL tight end Marv Cook made Iowa City Regina his home and he shined bright for the Regals, winning six consecutive state titles starting in 2010 in Class 2A. They won another in 2A before reeling off three straight in 1A to give the program seven overall.

Decorah

The Vikings are back on the state radar this fall and looking to add to the five previous titles won. Decorah was crowned champions most recently in 2012.

Solon

Another member of the five-timers club, the Spartans won four consecutive titles in 2007, with the first three coming in Class 2A and the last in 3A. They also won it all in 1988.

Don Bosco

The high-flying eight-player world was dominated by the Dons just like in wrestling for a good stretch, including three titles in 2016, ‘17 and ‘19. Don Bosco was crowned champions for the first time in 2013.

West Lyon

It feels like West Lyon is always in the mix, and that is proven by the five state championships they have collected. The most recent came in 2019.

Wapsie Valley

One of the more surprising teams on this list is Wapsie Valley, as the school has claimed five title states overall. They went back-to-back in 1986 and ‘87 before adding crowns in 1997, 2007 and ‘12.

Iowa City High

There is plenty of talent in the Iowa City area as evident by the number of championships won in the city. Iowa City High owns four of them including back-to-back runs in Class 4A in 1993 and ‘94. They also were crowned in 1996 and 2009.

Iowa City West

Rounding out the list of Iowa City schools is Iowa City West, as the Trojans have won three titles in 1995, ‘98 and ‘99.

West Bend-Mallard

Before moving down to eight-player, West Bend-Mallard under Koy Goodchild’s guidance was a force in Class A. The Wolverines won it all four times, including back-to-back runs in 1998 and ‘99.

Aplington-Parkersburg

Ed Thomas built a factory out of Aplington-Parkersburg that produced both NFL players and two state championships in 1993 and 2001.

West Sioux

The Falcons of West Sioux put it all together for the first time in 2017, winning gold in Class 1A. How did they follow that up? By doing it again the following season.

Van Meter

Like Southeast Polk in Class 5A, Van Meter has turned into quite the program in central Iowa, winning three titles overall including the last two in Class 1A.