Sigourney-Keota 8, New London 9 in preseason poll

The 2021 high school football season is among us, and The Gazette preseason rankings will be rolling in throughout the week. Over the weekend, three lists were released; classes 8-Player, A and 1A.

A pair of Union area teams have already found their place in the Top-10 after both squads made some noise in 2020.

Sigourney-Keota is coming off a 10-1 record last season. The Cobras made it all the way to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls before falling in the Class 1A semifinals to OABCIG.

New London finished the 2020 season 7-2. The Tigers were knocked out by Janesville in the Class 8-Player Round of 16.

The Class 8-Man poll was quite contested. Anita CAM sits at No. 1 by just one point, despite getting no first-place votes.

In Class A, 2020 runner-up Grundy Center sits atop the rankings with 49 points and four first-place votes.

It is a similar story in Class 1A, as 2020 runner-up Van Meter is favored to start the season. Like Grundy Center in Class A, Van Meter received 49 points in the poll, including four first-place votes.

8 Player

1. ANITA CAM

Poll points: 40

2020 record: 9-1

2020 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Key returners: RB/LB Lane Spieker, sr. (1,753 rushing yards, 33 rushing TDs, 408 passing yards, 51 tackles, 1st-team all-state), TE/DE Colby Rich, sr. (25 tackles, 2nd-team all-state), RB/LB Cade Ticknor, sr. (68 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 3rd-team all-state), TE/LB Joe Kauffman, sr. (88 tackles, 4 INTs, 3rd-team all-state)

Key games: At Fremont-Mills, Aug. 27; at Audubon, Sept. 24; Coon Rapids-Bayard, Oct. 8

2. AUDUBON

Poll points: 39 (2 first-place votes)

2020 record: 8-1

2020 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Key returners: OL/DE Joey Schramm, sr. (35 tackles, 1st-team all-state), QB/DB Gavin Smith, sr. (1,002 passing yards, 1,357 rushing yards, 47 rush/pass TDs, 28 tackles, 4 INTs), OL/LB Gavin Larsen, jr. (34 tackles)

Key games: Fremont-Mills, Sept. 10; Anita CAM, Sept. 24; at Coon Rapids-Bayard, Oct. 1

3. Montezuma

Poll points: 36 (1 first-place vote)

2020 record: 10-1

2020 postseason: 8-Player semifinalist

Key returners: QB/LB Eddie Burgess, sr. (3,803 passing yards, 1,148 rushing yards, 89 total TDs, 91 tackles, 1st-team all-state), WR/CB Connor Van Zee, sr. (65 tackles, 2 INTs)

Key games: At HLV, Aug. 27; BGM, Sept. 10; Southeast Warren, Sept. 24

4. DON BOSCO

Poll points: 32 (1 first-place vote)

2020 record: 9-1

2020 postseason: 8-Player semifinalist

Key returners: Cade Tenold, sr. (324 rushing yards, 193 receiving yards, 9 offensive TDs, 61 tackles, 1st-team all-state), Carson Tenold, sr. (462 rushing yards, 11 TDs, 271 receiving yards, 3 TDs, 91 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2nd-team all-state)

Key games: At Easton Valley, Aug. 27; at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Oct. 8

5. FREMONT-MILLS

Poll points: 27

2020 record: 8-2

2020 postseason: 8-Player runner-up

Key returners: Jake Malcom, sr. (1,324 total offense yards, 23 offensive TDs, 25.5 tackles, 9 INTs), Taylor Reed, sr. (236 rushing yards, 3 TDs, 20 tackles)

Key games: Anita CAM, Aug. 27; at Audubon, Sept. 10

6. REMSEN ST. MARY’S

Poll points: 20

2020 record: 12-0

2020 postseason: 8-Player champion

Key returners: QB/LB Jaxon Bunkers, jr. (1,092 offensive yards and 21 TDs), 71 tackles, 4 fumble recoveries, 2nd-team all-state), TE/DE Austin Jensen, sr. (26 catches for 443 yards, 7 TDs), RB/LB Alex Schroeder, jr. (59.5 tackles, 6 INTs)

Key games: Harris-Lake Park, Aug. 27; at Kingsley-Pierson, Sept. 17; Newell-Fonda, Oct. 1

7. KINGSLEY PIERSEN

Poll points: 15

2020 record: 4-5

2020 postseason: 8-Player Round of 32

Key returners: QB/CB Jackson Howe, sr. (756 passing yards, 8 TDs, also 7 rushing TDs), RB/S Josh Harvey, jr. (1,066 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 49 tackles), RB/S Damon Schmid, sr. (27 receptions, 325 yards, 3 TDs)

Key games: At Harris-Lake Park, Sept. 10; Remsen St. Mary’s, Sept. 17; at Newell-Fonda, Sept. 24

8. JANESVILLE

Poll points: 13

2020 record: 9-2

2020 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinalist

Key returners: TE/DE Wylie Sherburne, sr. (27 receptions, 538 yards, 7 TDs, 61.5 tackles, 5 fumble recoveries, 3rd-team all-state), OL/DT Conner Clubine, sr. (3rd-team all-state), QB/S Leo Dodd, sr. (1,501 passing yards, 584 rushing yards, 33 total offensive TDs, 3rd-team all-state), TE/DE Jared Hoodjer, sr. (10 offensive TDs, 134 tackles, 3rd-team all-state)

Key games: Tripoli, Sept. 10; Turkey Valley, Sept. 24

9. NEW LONDON

Poll points: 12

2020 record: 7-2

2020 postseason: 8-Player Round of 16

Key returners: OL/DT Carter Allen, sr. (55 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1st-team all-state), QB/LB Blaise Porter, jr. (1,340 rushing yards, 424 passing yards, 31 offensive TDs, 38 tackles, 9 INT, 3 for TDs), RB/LB Boden Pickle, jr. (438 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 44 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries)

Key games: At English Valleys, Sept. 17; at Lone Tree, Oct. 8

T-10. BGM

Poll points: 11

2020 record: 8-2

2020 postseason: 8-Player Round of 16

Key returners: QB/S Jacob Maurer, jr. (Passed for 1,535 yards, ran for 1,642, 33 offensive TDs), WR/CB Jacob Moel, sr. (56 receptions, 790 yards, 9 TDs, 46.5 tackles, 3 INTs)

Key games: At Montezuma, Sept. 10; at Baxter, Sept. 24

T-10. EASTON VALLEY

Poll points: 11 (1 first-place vote)

2020 record: 9-2

2020 postseason: 8-Player quarterfinals

Key returners: QB/S Conor Gruver, sr. (2,292 passing yards, 37 passing TDs); WR/CB Carson Fuegen, sr. (47 catches, 643 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs), WR/LB Andin Farrell, sr. (82 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries)

Key games: Don Bosco, Aug. 27; at Midland, Sept. 10; at Lansing Kee, Oct. 15

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES

Coon Rapids-Bayard 6, Harris-Lake Park 4, Newell-Fonda 4, Lansing Kee 3, Lenox 2.

Class A

1. Grundy Center

Poll points: 49 (4 first-place votes)

2020 record: 11-1

2020 postseason: Class A runner-up

Key returners: QB/S Logan Knaack, sr. (1,129 passing yards, 1,193 rushing yards, 33 offensive TDs, 4 INT, 1st-team all-state), C/LB Brayden Sawyer, sr. (73.5 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3rd-team all-state), WR/CB Dexter Whitehill, sr. (16 catches, 305 yards, 3 TDs), RB/LB Cole Lehr, sr. (48 tackles)

Key games: South Hardin, Aug. 27; at Dike-New Hartford, Sept. 3; at Wapsie Valley, Sept. 10

2. Logan-Magnolia

Poll points: 42 (1 first-place vote)

2020 record: 8-2

2020 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Key returners: OL/DE Rex Johnsen, sr. (46 tackles, 1st-team all-state), RB/LB Gavin McGuire, sr. (1,111 rushing yards, 20 TDs, 46 tackles); QB/S Carter Edney, sr. (455 passing yards, 270 rushing yards); TE/LB Jordan Kerger, sr. (59.5 tackles)

Key games: Carroll Kuemper, Aug. 27; at Woodbury Central, Sept. 3; at Tri-Center, Sept. 17

3. Hartley HMS

Poll points: 31

2020 record: 7-3

2020 postseason: Class A Round of 16

Key returners: OT/DE Lance Behrends, jr. (76.5 tackles, 3rd-team all-state), QB/LB Kooper Ebel, jr. (713 passing yards, 946 rushing yards, 18 offensive TDs, 3rd-team all-state), RB/CB Connor Dodd, sr. (598 rushing yards, 10 TDs, 31.3 yards per catch, 36 tackles, 4 INTs).

Key games: West Sioux, Aug. 27; Le Mars Gehlen, Sept. 3; at West Hancock, Oct. 1

T-4. Lisbon

Poll points: 30

2020 record: 7-3

2020 postseason: Class A Round of 16

Key returners: OL/DL Tyson Scott, sr. (25.5 tackles, 2nd-team all-state), QB/DB Cohen Kamaus, jr. (312 passing yards, 65.2% completion rate, 6 TDs), RB/LB Jamien Moore, sr. (814 rushing yards, 10 TDs, 36.5 tackles

Key games: West Branch, Aug. 27; at Alburnett, Sept. 10; Highland, Oct. 8

T-4. West Hancock

Poll points: 30

2020 record: 9-2

2020 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Key returners: RB/CB Kane Zuehl, sr. (36.5 tackles, 2nd-team all-state), TE/CB Braden Walk, sr. (22 tackles, 4 INT, 40.2 yards per kick return, 4 for TDs, 2nd-team all-state), RB/LB Mathew Francis, sr. (642 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 67 tackles)

Key games: At Mason City Newman, Sept. 3; Lake Mills, Sept. 10; at Saint Ansgar, Oct. 8

6. Council Bluffs St. Albert

Poll points: 26

2020 record: 8-3

2020 postseason: Class A semifinalist

Key returners: QB/CB Brendan Monohan, jr. (698 passing yards, 10 TD passes, 0 INT, 255 rushing yards); OL/LB Keaton Barnes, sr. (38 tackles)

Key games: Oakland Riverside, Sept. 3; Underwood, Sept. 10; at Avoca AHSTW, Oct. 15

7. Mason City Newman

Poll points: 14

2020 record: 6-3

2020 postseason: Class A Round of 32

Key returners: QB/LB Max Burt, jr. (1,474 passing yards, 14 TDs, 234 rushing yards, 63.5 tackles), RB/LB Jack Maznio, sr. (563 rushing yards, 7 TDs), TE/LB Nash Holmgaard, sr. (22 catches, 450 yards, 8 TDs), WR/CB Noah Hamilton, jr. (49 tackles, 5 INTs)

Key games: West Hancock, Sept. 3; at Saint Ansgar, Sept. 17; at Lake Mills, Oct. 1

8. Mount Ayr

Poll points: 9

2020 record: 7-2

2020 postseason: Class 1A Round of 16

Key returners: QB/S Jaixen Frost, jr. (700 passing yards, 304 rushing yards, 9 offensive TDs), RB/LB Adler Shay, sr. (312 rushing yards, 16 catches, 260 yards, 7 offensive TDs), RB/LB Jaydon Knight, jr. (42.5 tackles, 10 TFL)

Key games: At Oakland Riverside, Sept. 10; Avoca AHSTW, Sept. 17; Council Bluffs St. Albert, Oct. 1

T-9. Oakland Riverside

Poll points: 7

2020 record: 8-2

2020 postseason: Class A Round of 16

Key returners: QB/S Austin Kremkoski, sr. (2,065 yards of total offense, 22 passing TDs, 8 rushing TDs), RB/LB Rhett Bentley, sr. (1,023 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 23 receptions, 275 yards, 25.5 tackles)

Key games: At Council Bluffs St. Albert, Sept. 3; Mount Ayr, Sept. 10; at Avoca AHSTW, Sept. 24

T-9. Saint Ansgar

Poll points: 7

2020 record: 10-1

2020 postseason: Class A semifinalist

Key returners: RB/LB Lorne Isler, sr. (740 yards, 5 TDs, 60.5 tackles), QB/LB Tate Meyer, jr. (52.5 tackles), RB/CB Bradley Hackenmiller, sr. (35.5 tackles, 4 INTs)

Key games: Mason City Newman, Sept. 17; West Hancock, Oct. 8; at Lake Mills, Oct. 15

Others receiving votes

Le Mars Gehlen 6, Avoca AHSTW 4, Southwest Valley 4, Bellevue 3, Tri-Center 3, Clayton Ridge 2, Lake Mills 2, Ridge View 2, Belle Plaine 1, Woodbury Central 1.

Class 1A

1. Van Meter

Poll points: 49 (4 first-place votes)

2020 record: 11-1

2020 postseason: Class 1A runner-up

Key returners: RB/LB Dalten Van Pelt (2,000 rushing yards, 21 TDs, 10 receptions for 170 yards, 2 TDs, 1st-team all-state), OL/DE Lincoln Olsen (46 tackles, 1st-team all-state), QB/LB Jack Pettit (1,241 passing yards, 20 TDs, 976 rushing yards, 16 TDs, 1st-team all-state), OL/DE Casey Trudo (55.5 tackles, 17 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1st-team all-state)

Key games: At Williamsburg, Sept. 3; at Winterset, Sept. 10; Nodaway Valley, Oct. 1; Guthrie Center ACGC, Oct. 15

2. Underwood

Poll points: 39

2020 record: 9-2

2020 postseason: Class 1A quarterfinalist

Key returners: OL/DL Easton Eledge, sr. (27 tackles, 1st-team all-state), QB/DB Alex Ravlin, jr. (1,856 passing yards, 20 TDs, 466 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 39.5 tackles, 3 INTs, 3rd-team all-state), WR/LB Scott Pearson, sr. (13 receptions, 120 yards, 2 TDs, 57 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 INTs, 3rd-team all-state), RB/LB Joey Anderson, sr. (761 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 23.5 tackles)

Key games: Tri-Center, Aug. 27; at Council Bluffs St. Albert, Sept. 10; West Monona, Oct. 8

3. West Sioux

Poll points: 34

2020 record: 7-3

2020 postseason: Class 1A quarterfinalist

Key returners: QB/LB Dylan Wiggins, jr. (2,083 passing yards, 22 TDs, 257 rushing yards), RB/LB Carter Bultman, jr. (375 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 24.5 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries), RB/LB Brady Lynott, jr. (34 catches, 408 yards, 6 TDs, 51.5 tackles), WR/CB Aaden Schwiesow, sr. (22 catches, 359 yards, 6 TDs, 23 tackles)

Key games: At Hartley HMS, Aug. 27; Sioux Center, Sept. 3; Central Lyon-GLR, Sept. 10; Western Christian, Sept. 24

4. Iowa City Regina

Poll points: 27 (1 first-place vote)

2020 record: 11-1

2020 postseason: Class A champion

Key returners: OT/DT Josh Gaffey, sr. (36.5 tackles, 1 INT, 3rd-team all-state), OG/LB Aiden Udell, sr. (63.5 tackles, 3rd-team all-state), WR/DB Sam Aitchison, sr. (17 catches, 197 yards, 1 TD, 47 tackles)

Key games: Williamsburg, Aug. 27; at West Liberty, Sept. 3; Mediapolis, Sept. 17; West Branch, Oct. 8

5. Waterloo Columbus

Poll points: 26

2020 record: 8-2

2020 postseason: Class 1A quarterfinalist

Key returners: RB/LB Dallas Westhoff, sr. (106.5 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 3rd-team all-state), QB/CB Carter Gallagher, sr. (1,381 passing yards, 595 rushing yards, 26 offensive TDs), RB/CB Josh Heine (541 rushing yards, 5 TDs), WR/CB Caden Holtz, sr. (28 catches, 619 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs)

Key games: At West Branch, Sept. 3; MFL MarMac, Sept. 17; at Cascade, Sept. 24

6. MFL MarMac

Poll points: 24

2020 record: 9-2

2020 postseason: Class A quarterfinalist

Key returners: RB/DE Cullen McShane, sr. (1,477 rushing yards, 20 TDs, 13 catches, 196 yards, 2 TDs, 82.5 tackles, 5 fumble recoveries, 2 INTs, 1st-team all-state), QB/CB Kaden Stocker, sr. (20.5 tackles, 6 INTs, 2nd-team all-state), FB/LB Gabe McGeough, sr. (1,100 rushing yards, 10 TDs, 65 tackles, 3rd-team all-state), RB/S Karter Decker, jr. (56.5 tackles, 13 TDs — 5 rushing, 5 receiving, 3 returns, 3rd-team all-state)

Key games: At Clayton Ridge, Sept. 3; at Waterloo Columbus, Sept. 17; Cascade, Oct. 8

7. South Central Calhoun

Poll points: 21

2020 record: 9-2

2020 postseason: Class 1A semifinalist

Key returners: RB/LB Blake McAllister, sr. (1,107 rushing yards, 13 TDs, 18 receptions, 236 yards, 2 TDs, 58 tackles, 2 INTs, 40.6 yards per punt, 2nd-team all-state), C/LB Jayden Soard, sr. (61 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3rd-team all-state), QB/S Kevin King, sr. (37.5 tackles, 3 INTs)

Key games: Emmetsburg, Sept. 10; South Hamilton, Oct. 1; at Woodward-Granger, Oct. 8

8. Sigourney-Keota

Poll points: 14

2020 record: 10-1

2020 postseason: Class 1A semifinalist

Key returners: OG/DT Zach Smithart, sr. (1st-team all-state), RB/LB Cade Molyneux, sr. (478 passing yards, 729 rushing yards, 17 offensive TDs, 53.5 tackles), RB/LB Jack Clarahan, jr. (50 tackles)

Key games: At Centerville, Sept. 10; at Pella Christian, Sept. 24; Cardinal, Oct. 1

9. Pella Christian

Poll points: 11

2020 record: 6-4

2020 postseason: Class 1A Round of 16

Key returners: QB/LB Isaac Kacmarynski, jr. (1,311 passing yards, 14 TDs, 623 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 51.5 tackles, 1 INT), WR/CB Eric Mulder, sr. (32 receptions, 461 yards, 6 TDs, 42.5 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries)

Key games: At Monroe PCM, Sept. 10; Sigourney-Keota, Sept. 24; at Cardinal, Oct. 8

10. Cascade

Poll points: 8

2020 record: 6-3

2020 postseason: Class 1A Round of 32

Key returners: RB/LB Jack Menster, jr. (1,673 rushing yards, 23 TDs, 2nd-team all-state), QB/CB Justin Roling, sr. (1,121 passing yards, 13 TDs), TE/LB Luke Ruggeberg, jr. (31.1 yards per catch, 5 receiving TDs, 44 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 INTs), RB/CB Tanner Simon, sr. (22 catches, 357 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs)

Key games: At Monticello, Aug. 27; Waterloo Columbus, Sept. 24; at MFL MarMac, Oct. 8

Others receiving votes

West Branch 7, Guthrie Center ACGC 6, Dyersville Beckman 3, Nodaway Valley 3, Cardinal 2, Mediapolis 2.