Iowa High School Football Top 25 Rankings - Sept. 24

West Lyon remains on top of the latest Iowa high school football top 25 rankings. Meanwhile, Independence completes the tail end of the list. With some teams switching spots or entering the rankings, here are the state’s best squads according to Massey.

The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

1. West Lyon Wildcats

For the first time in four games, the Wildcats did not completely shut out their opponents. However, the best team in Iowa high school football outclassed Alta-Aurelia 70-6. West Lyon dominated all three phases of the game, especially in special teams, as proven by their three punt return touchdowns. The Wildcats can extend their winning streak to 18 games if they can defeat Hinton on September 26.

2. Waukee Northwest Wolves

The Wolves improved to 4-0 after a 45-10 victory over Prairie. Mack Heitland threw for 179 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Paulo Tobongye dominated with 202 rushing yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Eli Eckerman tallied 2.5 sacks, while Jackson Davis added two sacks. Waukee Northwest will face Des Moines East on the 26th.

3. Xavier Saints

The Saints earned their fourth consecutive victory by dominating Williamsburg. Cash Parks finished with 256 passing yards, 10 rushing yards, and six touchdowns (five passing). Dawson Doyle finished with 78 rushing yards, while Ryan Kelly added 162 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Xavier can go to 5-0 with a win against Cedar Rapids Washington on the 26th.

4. Dowling Catholic Maroons

The Maroons clinched their third straight victory by defeating Southeast Polk 45-14. Joey Nahas threw for 314 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Ian Middleton contributed 78 rushing yards and a touchdown. Likewise, Sam Drexler (164 receiving yards, two touchdowns) and Jeffrey Roberts (123 yards, two TDs) benefitted from Nahas’ big game. Dowling Catholic’s 2025 Iowa high school football season continues with a September 26 home game against Waterloo West.

5. Valley Tigers

The Tigers have won two straight games, improving their record to 3-1. In their latest victory against Waukee, Drake DeGroote finished with 189 passing yards, 99 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Blake Dorenkamp had 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Jayden Brown added 85 passing yards and a touchdown. Valley returns to action in a road game against Indianola on the 26th.

6. Ankeny Hawks

The Hawks are on a three-game winning streak after a 29-15 victory against Ankeny Centennial. Daniel Larmie had a field day, collecting 210 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Kael Roush threw for 156 passing yards and a touchdown, while Hayden Carlson had a touchdown catch. Ankeny can earn its fourth win this season during their September 26 game against Sioux City East.

7. Clear Lake Lions

The Lions remain spotless four games into the 2025 Iowa high school football season. In their 21-14 victory against Nevada, Jaxson McIntire finished with 180 passing yards, 58 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Clear Lake will visit Independence on the 26th.

8. Pella Dutch

The Dutch improved to 4-0 after edging North Polk 19-15. Emmanuel Diers had an all-around game, finishing with 156 rushing yards, 100 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Michael Manning had 166 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Pella defense generated three tackles for losses and two interceptions. The Dutch can improve to 5-0 if they defeat Marion on the 26th.

9. West Delaware Hawks

The Hawks are still undefeated after four games. Their latest victim is Wahlert Catholic, in which Austin Schnieders had 151 rushing yards, 88 passing yards, and four touchdowns (three rushing). West Delaware will face Iowa Falls-Alden on September 26.

10. Johnston Dragons

The Dragons escaped with a 27-24 victory over Liberty, improving their record to 3-1. Trevin Helming threw for 105 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Emri Jones had 103 rushing yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Owen Hupfer led the Johnston defense, tallying eight tackles and an interception. Next on the Dragons’ 2025 Iowa high school football schedule is a road game against Council Bluffs-Lincoln on the 26th.

11. North Polk
12. Kuemper Catholic
13. Solon
14. Liberty
15. Iowa City West

16. Southeast Polk
17. Sergeant Bluff-Luton
18. Adel-DeSoto-Minburn
19. Western Dubuque
20. Sioux Center

21. Sioux City East
22. Decorah
23. Wahlert Catholic
24. Western Christian
25. Independence

How to Follow Iowa High School Football

For Iowa high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Hawkeye State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Iowa.