There was football last night. Quite a bit of it actually, so I am not sure if it can still be considered preseason, but last night was week zero, so I still consider it preseason. For the last few years, I've been a member of the KMA Sports power rankings every week during football season. Us voters are tasked every week with selecting 10 schools from Class 8-Man, eight schools from Class A, 1A and 2A as well as five from Class 3A & 4A for the rankings. Eligible teams include schools from the Bluegrass, Corner, Hawkeye Ten, Missouri River, Pride of Iowa, Rolling Valley and Western Iowa Conferences.
The first poll will come out Monday morning. I cannot speak for Derek, Ryan or Brent, but here is how I voted.
CLASS 8-Man
1. Fremont-Mills: The Knights lost some key pieces from a UNI Dome team, but the cupboard isn't close to bare and they have a tradition of excellence. The expectations are high for the Knights this year, as they are every year.
2. Audubon: I watched the Wheelers play last night and they are going to be really, really good this season. I debated putting them ahead of Fremont-Mills and they certainly have a case for number one. I guess we will truly find out when the two teams meet on September 6th.
3. Lenox: I was really high on Lenox coming into this season. They grinded out a 48-32 win over Taylor County foe Bedford last night to win the Back Forty Battle (awesome name) and appear to be primed to contend for the district title.
4. East Mills: The Wolverines' 61-26 loss to Audubon last night is sort of deceiving. The Wolverines went blow-for-blow with Audubon in the first half before the Wheelers contained Nic Duysen to an extent. Audubon Coach Sean Birks feels that East Mills is going to be really good this year and I agree with him.
5. Stanton-Essex: The first game for the combination of Stanton and Essex went about as well as they could have asked for, a 40-6 road win over Murray. They lost Drake Johnson, but Colton Thornburg is a high quality replacement if last night is any indication.
6. Glidden-Ralston: I think this is the team that has the best opportunity to dethrone Audubon in 8-Man District 8, but that district was wild last year and it might be even tougher this season.
7. Woodbine: This is the sleeper team in 8-Man District 8. They finished the season strong and return two of the most electric players in the district, Wyatt and Lane Pryor. Audubon is the safest pick for the district, Glidden-Ralston is probably the safest pick to dethrone Audubon, but don't sleep on Woodbine.
8. Ar-We-Va: The Rockets won their 10th consecutive regular season game last night courtesy of a thrilling, 56-50 overtime thriller over what I think will be a much improved Griswold squad. They lost a lot of pieces from last year, including Keegan Simons and Drew Schurke, but this team knows how to win.
9. Bedford: They gave Lenox all they could handle last night, but in the end, Lenox made just a few more big plays. This is another team that should be much improved this season. They will get a great opportunity to measure themselves with games against CAM and Worth County before beginning district play.
10. Exira-EHK: The Spartans lost Josh Pettepier and Cole Burmeister, so there are some questions about the names and faces that will shine for them, but I never doubt Coach Tom Petersen and you shouldn't either.
CLASS A/1A/2A
1. Treynor: Coach Jeff Casey has built an admirable culture at Treynor and it's shown by the improvements they've made every year. The Cardinals went 8-1 last season before running into the buzzsaw that was West Sioux. The Cardinals will have to replace their leading rusher, Kyle Christensen, but most the pieces are still there and they've had a taste of success. I am really high on the Cardinals this year.
2. St. Albert: The Falcons are my preseason pick to win Class A District 9. They nearly won it last year and I don't expect them to take any step backs. The question is, who will emerge victorious when St. Albert and Treynor meet on September 6th.
3. Mount Ayr: The Raiders had and still have the misfortune of being in the same district of perennial power Van Meter, but they appear to be pretty powerful themselves. This is a sneaky good team.
4. Kuemper Catholic: Good luck blocking Blaise Gunnerson. The Des Moines Register ranked the Nebraska commit as the top senior prospect in the entire state. Gunnerson, along with quarterback Cole Collison and the tradition Kuemper has, makes the Knights a stealthy threat in Class 2A
5. Underwood: The Eagles had three losses last season: a 28-26 loss to Treynor, a 39-34 week nine loss to Missouri Valley and an opening week loss to eventual Class A runner-up AHSTW. They were in the thick of a district title battle last season, but fell just short. They should be in the hunt again. Circle Underwood/Treynor on October 4th as a game to watch.
6. AHSTW: I have no idea what to think of the Class A runner-ups. They lost virtually all their offensive production and their head coach, but programs that know how to win a lot, typically win a lot. Plus their dominance last year allowed them to give some reps to younger guys. I don't think anything would surprise me from AHSTW this season.
7. Tri-Center: The Trojans reside in what of the most competitive area districts, A-10. They lost some valuable skill players, but Bryson Freeberg put up great numbers through the air this past season and he's back.
8. Nodaway Valley: I probably would have put Central Decatur in this spot if I voted prior to Friday. Well, guess what? Nodaway Valley beat Central Decatur for their first win in 686 days. Not many people probably expected the Wolverines to win last night, so there's no telling what this team is capable of this season after beginning the season 1-0.
Class 3A/4A
1. Lewis Central-No Duggan, no problem for LC, or at least I think so. I expect the Titans to keep a similar offensive philosophy under new coach, Justin Kammrad. Having Division I prospects Logan Jones and Thomas Fidone in their arsenal certainly helps, too.
2. Sergeant Bluff-Luton: Another Class 3A UNI Dome team from a year ago. Lewis Central and Sergeant Bluff will battle in six days. I'm not sure who will win, but I can tell you one thing. Whoever wins that game will be ranked ahead of the other one in my rankings, I'm not the RPI.
3. Harlan: Death, taxes and Harlan replacing star players without missing a beat. The Cyclones have been doing since DMart was born, so I don't expect them to stop now.
4. Denison-Schleswig: I am really high on Harlan's opening week opponent. The Monarchs return their quarterback, Charlie Wiebers and leading rusher Terrance Weah along with some stout pieces on defense. Keep your eyes on Denison this season.
5. Bishop Heelan: I really don't have any logic for picking Denison ahead of Heelan other than that Denison returns more production, but Heelan is going to do Heelan things and be competitive in every game, so I could be slighting the Crusaders. I guess we will find out.
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