The Iowa high school football Class 3A division saw a first-time champion crowned last year when Dubuque Wahlert bested Humboldt in the finals inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
What does the 2025 season have in store for it? Several worthy contenders looking to duplicate that run to the championship and hoist the crown later this fall.
MORE: Preseason ranking for Class 4A Iowa high school football
Mount Vernon has been a contender the past three years and will look to finish the story behind a talented senior class. Algona lost two Iowa State football commits, but returns several starters.
Here is The Sporting News Preseason Class 3A Top 10 in Iowa high school football for the 2025 season:
THE SPORTING NEWS PRESEASON CLASS 3A TOP 10
No. 10 Independence
Along with a regular season loss to Dubuque Wahlert, Independence was knocked out of the postseason by the eventual champs. Brady Kurt is gone after a 1,000-yard receiving season, but Ezekiel Symonds returns after averaging 22 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns. Christopher Meyer, Cael Troutman, Nicholas Fettkether and Masin Hummel are all key players back for the defense.
No. 9 Nevada
Can the Cubs find a way to replace 1,800-yard rusher Anthony Eaton? If they can, they have a shot at making another run. Youngers Braiden Fleming and Jacob Smith will likely get the first crack at carrying the load while Gavin Egeland returns as the top receiver. Brown, as a freshman, had 24 receptions for over 400 yards and six TDs.
No. 8 MOC-Floyd Valley
The Flying Dutchmen hae won at least five games each of the last three years, going 6-4 a season ago. Blake Aalbers is gone, but leading rushers Dylan Maasdam and Kaleb Koerselman are back after rushing for over 1,000 yards combined with 15 TDs. The duo also had 54 combined receptions for over 600 yards. Draeden Punt heads the defense after making 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
No. 7 Dubuque Wahlert
A perfect 13-0 season culminated with a state title for the Golden Eagles. While Drew Reilly has graduated, JP Elbert was thrust into action late and now has big-game experience. The likes of Brody Schumacher, Will Welbes and Ben Francis will need to help replace plenty of production lost. Welbes was a force on defense, recording five sacks with 11 tackles for loss while John Berning had 5.5 tackles for loss.
No. 6 Solon
Since 2008, the Spartans have won at least seven games each season. They lost some key players but have Einar Stecher, Eli Kampman and rising prospect Maddox Kelley to lean on. Kelley caught 54 passes for 675 yards and seven TDs as a sophomore while recording 50 tackle son defense. Tripp Johnson had 42 tackles and Kyler Jensen recorded 10 tackles for loss.
No. 5 Clear Lake
The Lions battled with Algona and state runner-up Humboldt in the district a year ago. They have quarterback Jaxon McIntire anchoring the offense, as he threw for 1,749 yards and 25 TDs with almost 500 yards on the ground. Sam Dodge will be counted on more in the ground game with Trevor Theobald the leading returning receiver.
No. 4 Sioux City Bishop Heelan
Following a diffcult stretch from 2019-22, the Crusaders have responded by winning 17 of 23 since. They also have one of the top athletes in the state in University of Iowa commit Kasen Thomas, who rushed for 1,841 yards and 26 TDs while recording 15.5 tackles for loss with 5.5 sacks. Quarterback Noah Conley will be a year older with targets Anthony White and Caden Lester joining him.
No. 3 Harlan
After going 36-2 over a three-year stretch, the Cyclones finished just 6-4 each of the past two seasons. Good records for most, but not quite the “Harlan” standard. They have quarterback Gabe Arkfeld back, as he completed 56 percent of his passes for almost 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ayden Redmond, Brody Bendorf, Hagen Sorensen and Dallas McDowell will look to help lead the way.
No. 2 Algona
Alex Manske is now competing at Iowa State, but another Manske, his brother, Nathan, takes over under center. He is the third Manske to start at QB joining Tyler. After Alex was injured late last year, Nathan led the Bulldogs to the playoffs. Algona will also have Evan Allie, William Weichert and Tyson VanDeWalle back.
No. 1 Mount Vernon
The Mustangs have won 31 games the last three years with just five losses. Kellan Haverback is back at QB as a senior having thrown 27 TD passes last year. Jase Jaspers, the leading receiver, also returns along with Michael Ryan, Caysen Curran, Jaxon Anderson and a handful of others.
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