Iowa high school football 2019 area district predictions

The first year of determining the Iowa high school football postseason field by RPIs brought mixed feelings, and a measure of confusion. Year 2 is upon us. The Gazette's Jeff Linder projects area district races. Projected playoff teams are denoted by an asterisk.

CLASS 3A DISTRICT 6

* Overview: An unbeaten regular season ended quickly in the postseason (a first-round loss to Western Dubuque), but Solon (9-1) enters the season with a 21-game district win streak, and the dominance should continue this fall. Prepare to hear the phrase 'Miller to Coons” by PA announcers throughout the area; Cam Miller passed for 1,627 yards and 26 touchdowns, including 48 catches, 815 yards and 12 TDs by Coons. If anybody is going to challenge the Spartans, it might be Washington (6-3), which possesses its own strong signal-caller in Luke Turner (16 touchdowns passing, 10 rushing).

* Projections: 1. *Solon, 2. Washington (Iowa), 3. Mount Pleasant, 4. Keokuk, 5. Fort Madison, 6. Fairfield.

CLASS 2A DISTRICT 6

* Overview: After recovering from an 0-3 start to win a district title and reach the 2A quarterfinals, Williamsburg (7-4) moves on without the graduated Gage Hazen-Fabor, who racked up 5,616 rushing yards and 65 touchdowns in the past three seasons. Still, the Raiders remain the team to beat in this district; Eddyville EBF (5-4) was the only other team to finish above .500. Williamsburg will try to get the ball to Kaden Wetjen as much as possible; he finished with 39 catches, 758 yards and 10 touchdowns. Albia (4-5) probably is the next best team in the district.

* Projections: 1. *Williamsburg, 2. Albia, 3. Mid-Prairie, 4. Central Lee, 5. Eddyville EBF, 6. Davis County.

8-PLAYER DISTRICT 4

* Overview: Along with District 1 in northwest Iowa, this cast of teams might be the deepest in the state. New London is the reigning state champion, winning the title in its first season in the eight-player game. The Tigers (12-1) split two games with Iowa Valley (10-1), claiming the postseason encounter, 56-20. Both teams will be solid again, but it doesn't stop there. HLV (7-2) narrowly misses the playoffs last year, and Lone Tree (4-5) comes into the season with some momentum, winning its last three games. It's possible that four of the top 16 teams hail from this district, but it will be tough for all four to reach the postseason.

* Projections: 1. *New London, 2. *Iowa Valley, 3. *HLV, 4. Lone Tree, 5. Winfield-Mount Union, 6. WACO, 7. Montezuma, 8. English Valleys, 9. Tri-County.

CLASS 1A DISTRICT 5

* Overview: Mediapolis has a tradition-rich program, but Sigourney-Keota has state championships in its history. These two teams are not likely to be challenged.

* Projections: 1. *Mediapolis, 2. *Sigourney-Keota, 3. Wapello, 4. Wilton, 5. Columbus Community, 6. Van Buren.

CLASS A DISTRICT 6

* Overview: This district had three playoff teams last season. Highland was the only one to win a playoff game, but the Huskies lost a lot with the graduation of Trey Lasek. Pekin returns 1400-yard rusher Dayne Eckley.

* Projections: 1. *Durant, 2. Belle Plaine, 3. Pekin, 4. BGM, 5. Highland, 6. Cardinal.