Here are 10 Iowa high school football games to watch and our predictions for Week 6
Five weeks of the Iowa high school football season have come and gone and, just like that, it’s on to Week 6.
By now, high school football fans have a pretty good idea about which teams will end up playing in the UNI-Dome, while there are still some tight races among undefeated teams across all the classes.
Each week, we’re making educated guesses about the results of some high school games. We’re sticking to mostly central Iowa and Class 5A games but will throw in picks that draw statewide interest, as well.
Through the first four weeks, we went 33-16 in our predictions.
Last week, we picked 10 games and went 8-2. That’s a 41-18 overall record ahead of Week 6, and there are 10 more predictions this week.
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No. 1 Dowling at No. 5 Ankeny Centennial
The Jaguars have shown that they’re better than their 3-2 overall record, but this is Dowling’s game to lose. Ra’Shawd Davis has yet to face an opposing defense that can shut him down, and the Maroons are an all-around tough team to beat. Dowling, 35-17
Johnston at No. 2 Southeast Polk
The Dragons have struggled with ball security this season, and that won’t bode well against Southeast Polk’s defense. If Johnston can get something going on offense, this game could be interesting, but that’s a big if. Southeast Polk, 45-14
No. 9 Waukee Northwest at Valley
This just hasn’t been Valley’s season, and that bodes well for the Wolves, even if the Tigers bring momentum for their first win of the season last week into Friday’s matchup. Still, it looks like Northwest is poised to pick up its first win against Valley in program history. Northwest, 24-17
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No. 6 Pleasant Valley at No. 10 Cedar Falls
This is a matchup between two teams that rely on the rush and feature tough defensive units. Both have faced off against tough teams, but it looks like the Spartans battle-tested schedule against Bettendorf and Kennedy could pay off. Pleasant Valley, 30-27
No. 8 Ankeny at Prairie
Ankeny has quietly bounced back after two losses to the top two teams in Class 5A, while Prairie slipped from the rankings after losses to Southeast Polk and Pleasant Valley. Ankeny seems hungry, which gives them the advantage. Ankeny 28-20
Des Moines Christian at 2A-No. 7 Kuemper Catholic
Despite only Kuemper Catholic being ranked, this has all the makings of a really good game. But looking at quarterback experience, we're going to go with Tate Platte and the Lions to pull off the upset in this one. Des Moines Christian, 42-28
More: Friday's Week 6 schedule of Iowa high school football games, kickoff times across the state
3A-No. 9 Algona at 3A-No. 4 Clear Lake
Algona quarterback Alex Mansek is really good, but so is Clear Lake’s defense. The Lions did hold Webster City to just two points, after all. But the Bulldogs have won the last two, and we think that trend continues on Friday. Algona, 27-23
4A-No. 4 Norwalk at Dallas Center-Grimes
Dayne Mauk and the Dallas Center-Grimes defense could cause some problems for Aidan Harder and company. But the Mustangs rely on the run, and Norwalk had solutions for its run-heavy opponent last week. Norwalk, 35-28
1A-No. 2 Regina at West Branch
Everything seems to be working out for Regina this season. So, even though West Branch shut out the Regals in the last matchup between these two teams, it’s easy to think that Regina remains undefeated after Friday. Regina, 49-31
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Webster City vs. 3A-No. 5 Hampton-Dumont-CAL
The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season and Webster City only managed two points last week. Both of these programs have something to bounce back from. Jaxon Cherry is the difference-maker in this one. Webster City, 35-17
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Predictions and games to watch for Week 6 of Iowa high school football
