Iowa High School Preseason Top 10 Class 1A Football Rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News
The pressure on Grundy Center is going to be incredible this fall, as the three-time defending Iowa high school football state champions seek to join some exclusive company.
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But to get there, the Spartans will have to hold off the challenge of not just one, but two 2024 state champions. West Lyon moves down from Class 2A to 1A this season while Tri-Center moves up from A to 1A. Both were crowned champions like Grundy Center a season ago.
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Iowa City Regina is also looking to get back to the top of the mountain while several others seek a shot at glory.
Here is The Sporting News Preseason Class 1A Top 10 in Iowa high school football for the 2025 season:
THE SPORTING NEWS PRESEASON CLASS 1A TOP 10
No. 10 Emmetsburg
After back-to-back losing records, the E-Hawks have gone 15-5 the last two seasons. They lost some key players but have Bradyen Yates back and his 985 yards and 15 TDs, along with Tyce Jenness, Ryan Wirtz and Gage Ditch.
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No. 9 Treynor
The Cardinals won eight games for the second straight season, as they have had seven winning records in a row. Jett Sornson rushed for 1,144 yards and 13 TDs last year as a junior while Bryce McIntosh provides a nice second option. Jude Mieska and Brock Casey caught 48 passes for over 700 yards last year.
No. 8 Underwood
The Eagles are led by star quarterback Garrett Luett, as he had almost 2,200 yards passing and another 410 rushing. Charlie Myers joins him in the backfield looking to build on a 225-yard season. At receiver, No. 1 target Easton Robertson is gone as Kyle Sub is the leading returning target. Riley Sealock, Myers, Grady Jones and Ryker Adair highlight the returning players on defense.
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No. 7 Ridge View
With new head coach Brian Wilken, the Raptors went 6-3, their most wins since 2021. Raif Jensen returns after starting at quarterback with over 1,000 yards as a sophomore. He is flanked by Lucas Heilman, Kinnick Jensen, Blake Myrtue and a handful of others that contributed.
No. 6 Pleasantville
In terms of the best athletes in Iowa, the Trojans might have him in Braylon Bingham. Along with shining in multiple sports, Bingham is a force on the football field. As a sophomore, he threw for over 1,700 yards with 23 TDs while rushing for 368 and eight scores. His three leading receivers in Brayden Kennedy, Logan Roff and JJ Phillips are all back. Bingham also recorded 49.5 tackles with six interceptions.
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No. 5 South Hardin
Last year, South Hardin had a breakout season, going from 4-5 to 9-2 for its most wins since going 6-3 in 2020. They return quarterback Peyton Welch, as he threw for over 1,800 yards and 21 TDs as a junior. Leading rusher Jaxson Drury has moved on but Welch will have his top receiver in Sam Benson, who surpassed 1,000 yards.
No. 4 West Lyon
A perfect season concluded with a 2A title for the Wildcats, and now, they will compete in 1A. West Lyon returns Evan Hildring, who had 1,023 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, along with top receiver Jorden Meyer, who had almost 600 yards and averaged 24 per catch. They need to replace QB Bryson Childress, who had over 2,000 yards passing and rushing with 32 touchdowns.
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No. 3 Tri-Center
Fresh off winning it all in A last year, Tri-Center moves up to compete in one of the more stacked clasifications with two other defending state champs. They do so with junior AJ Harder at the controls after he threw for almost 2,900 yards and 29 TDs. Star RB Carter Kunze is gone along with his 2,487 yards and 39 rushing touchdowns, but Harder has 1,000-yard receivers Zach Nelson and Cael Witt both returning. Jayden Johnson, Witt, Chazz Leaders and Aiden Osbahr anchor the defense.
No. 2 Iowa City Regina
In terms of skill position players, there are not many who can match what the Regals bring to the table. From quarterback Kyle Tracy to running back Savion Miller to wide receiver Tate Wallace, Iowa City Regina is stacked. Tracy threw for 1,901 yards and 19 TDs while running for 751 and nine more scores, Miller posted 922 yards rushing and Wallace caught 51 passes for 752 with eight TDs.
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No. 1 Grundy Center
The Spartans not only went 13-0 last year and won another state title, they did it in a dominating fashion, outscoring opponents 39-7. Judd Jirovsky shined in his first year as starting quarterback, throwing 25 touchdowns with just one interception while completing 74 percent of his passes for 2,181 yards. Jirovsky is also the leading returning rusher along with Pete Lebo as he will have to replace Tiernan Vokes.
