Prep Football: IHSAA’s RPI Rankings Places Mt. Pleasant at #9

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 3:12 pm CDT

Prep Football- Six weeks are in the books, and everyone has a spot, whether it be in the top 10 or in the ratings percentage index (RPI). After a long journey for the Mt. Pleasant football program, the Panthers are in the top 10 for Class 3A.

Class 5A

As the only undefeated team remaining in the class, Waukee Northwest claimed the top spot. The Wolves has claimed tight victories over #4 Valley (27-24) and #7 Ankeny (25-24), while decimating the likes of Des Moines East and Ottumwa in the past two weeks.

Wearing the crown provides no relief for the Wolves as their final three contests of the season will be against opponents all within the top 20.

Dowling Catholic and Johnston round out the top three. The top ten has seven teams boasting a 5-1 record, while #15 Waukee’s 2-4 record is the only losing record ranked in the top 25.

Class 4A

Burlington is off to their best start since their trip to the postseason in 2021 with a 7-3 record. Despite claiming their third winning record since 2010, the Grayhounds find themselves ranked #13 and as the lowest of the 5-1 teams.

Keshawn Wyldon has been unstoppable running the football, gaining 1,005 yards and finding the endzone 15 times. But holding Burlington’s resume back is a non-district 16-14 loss to Washington in week three.

Nevertheless, Xavier owns the top spot in the rankings with a winning differential of 25 points per game and a 31-0 shellacking of North Scott bolstering a Saints redemption run at the state championship.

Despite a loss, Sergeant Bluff-Luton is ranked #2 as the Warriors have allowed just 13.2 points per game. Gilbert is the only other undefeated team left in Class 4A as they were slotted in at #3.

Similar to Class 5A, seven of the top ten teams boast a 5-1 record.

Class 3A

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) had a tough assignment is ranking three undefeated teams, even #4 Bishop Heelan had a case for the top spot with a victory over Class 4A’s Sergeant Bluff-Luton.

The top spot went to Clear Lake with a better opponent’s record followed by West Delaware and Solon, respectively. Hurting the Spartan’s claim was their last two wins. Despite outscoring Fairfield and Keokuk 135 to 6 it brought their strength of schedule back to even.

Additionally, in head-to-head matchups, Clear Lake throttled Benton, while Solon snuck out with a one-possession victory. Still, the Spartans have taken down #6 Mt. Vernon, #15 Assumption, and #17 Williamsburg all by at least two scores.

This has been a special year for Mt. Pleasant already. Their 61-0 thrashing of Fort Madison last Friday cemented the Panthers’ first winning record since 2019 as they currently sit at 5-1 and 9th in the RPI.

They started the year with a narrow 17-14 victory then rode that wave to a 3-0 start that saw their defense rack up 17 sacks and 30 tackles for a loss, while the offense made key plays and did not turn the ball over.

The Panthers hit a speed bump in week four as an impressive #16 Central DeWitt offense managed to fly past the Maroon and Gold for a decisive 49-27 victory.

That loss woke up the offensive line that has paved the way for an average of over 200 rushing yards per game with the trio of Griffen Jones, Ryan Helling, and Ramzy Davis. Add in a defense that can get after the quarterback and force turnovers, and this is a team that can make their first trip to the playoffs since 2010.

Although, head coach John Bowlin is not looking ahead in the schedule,

“Our goal is 1-0 every week and we definitely will not take anybody lightly. So, you know, I think these kids are hungry and know kind of what our goals are and where we want to be at the end of the year.”

The rankings were not as kind to our other local teams with Mt. Pleasant’s next opponent, Keokuk, sitting at #21 with a 3-3 record. The Chiefs have a potent offense but just like last year, the defense is susceptible to bad outings.

Washington sits right behind at #22 with an even record after coming back to beat #28 Fairfield. The Trojans had a tough non-district schedule, and it does not get any easier in District 4 with an offense that can score but a defense that allows 42 points per game.

Lastly, Fort Madison sits at #34 as their opponent winning percentage is tied for the 4th highest in the class. The Bloodhounds are a young team with a bright future, but their currently in the throughs of a 16-game losing streak.

Class 2A

Bellevue stayed true to their mascot and the shot up the rankings, going from unranked to #4 after knocking off #9 Alburnett 33-28 last Friday. The Comets are undefeated and now 3-0 in one possession games this season.

Otherwise, the top three remained unchanged with Kuemper Catholic on top of the standings followed by PCM and Okoboji, respectively. Mid-Prairie gained a spot in the top 10, moving to #7 after a 56-0 waxing of Central Lee.

District 4 will be an interesting race on who ends up in the third and fourth spots for a trip to the playoffs. Mediapolis has already knocked off West Liberty and West Burlington/Notre Dame, while the Falcons will have a showdown with the Comets this Friday.

The Falcons are ranked behind West Liberty due to the point differential tiebreaker. The Comets sit at -0.67, while West Burlington/Notre Dame is at -4.

Class 1A

The top five remained unchanged with West Lyon, Grundy Center, and Regina Catholic all remaining undefeated and as the top three teams, respectively.

Union’s loss to unranked Hudson not only derailed a perfect season, but also knocked the Knights out of the top 10. Interstate 35 now rounds out the top 10.

Class A

Business as usual in Class A as everyone kept their spots from last week. This gives us a chance to talk about District 5 and how everything can shake out for our local teams.

For automatic bids, the top three has been decided for the district with that fourth spot currently leaning in Columbus’ favor—we’ll touch on that in a bit.

Pekin sits above everyone with a 6-0 record as their potent rushing attack has led to a point differential of +31. North Mahaska tested them last Friday with a narrow 28-22 final, but they now will take on a team that has two weeks to prepare.

Danville had an unprecedented two-week bye and currently sits 5-1 on the year and 4-0 in the district. After a narrow 19-13 loss to West Burlington/Notre Dame in the season opener, the Bears allowed just 14 points in their next three games.

Wapello had not had a winning season since 2021, but now they sit at 5-1 having already punched their ticket to the postseason. Rowen Atkinson has shown out in his senior season, totaling over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns.

A loss to Pekin puts them back in third place in the district but their final matchup of the season pits them against Danville as that game might decide who gets that second seat.

In terms of that last spot, Columbus holds favor on two fronts: district record and point differential. Add in a Wildcat victory over Van Buren County back in week two and road is narrow for the Warriors.

Eight-Player

The top six went unchanged as #4 Iowa Valley got a much-needed bye week after being the first team in the state to count up six wins in the season.

GTRA and Don Bosco leapfrogged to #7 and #8, respectively, as Kingsley-Pierson and Fremont-Mills took over the vacated spots left by Southeast Warren and Easton Valley.

District five has gotten very interesting after the last couple of weeks. WACO, once 3-0 and having scored 40 points in every game, has nosedived after losing to #10 Fremont-Mills, Belle Plain, and to English Valley, who they almost came back to beat in a wild second half.

With two consecutive district losses, the Warriors are now tied with the Bears and Winfield-Mt. Union for the third and final automatic bid. This is where that 17-point tiebreaker may become very important.

The Warriors and Bears have one district opponent left on their schedule: Iowa Valley. Winfield-Mt. Union will have to take on Belle Plaine to end their season.

Here’s how the carousel ride goes: WACO defeated Winfield-Mt. Union 41-22 in week two. The Wolves responded the next week with a narrow 28-26 win over English Valleys, who just beat WACO 54-52 last Friday.

Still, the Warriors boast the best point differential at 5.5, followed by English Valleys at 2.75, then Winfield-Mt. Union at -4. The Wolves’ best shot at an automatic bid will be a win against the Plainsmen.

While WACO or English Valleys will have to keep it close against the Tigers or pull off the upset to earn a playoff berth.

Up Next

Our local district standings have been listed below. For a full look at the rankings and district standing after week six, follow the link: Football: 2025 Rankings, Oct. 6 | IHSAA

Eight-Player Local District Rankings

#4 Iowa Valley: 6-0 (3-0)

Belle Plaine: 2-4 (2-1)

WACO: 3-3 (2-2)

English Valleys: 4-2 (2-2)

Winfield-Mt. Union: 2-4 (2-2)

HLV-TC: 1-5 (0-4)

Class A Local District Rankings

Pekin: 6-0 (4-0)

Danville: 5-1 (4-0)

Wapello: 5-1 (3-1)

Columbus: 2-4 (2-2)

New London: 2-4 (1-4)

Van Buren County: 2-4 (1-3)

Highland: 0-6 (0-5)

Class 2A Local District Rankings

#7 Mid-Prairie: 5-1 (3-0)

Wilton: 4-2 (2-1)

Mediapolis: 3-3 (2-1)

West Liberty: 2-4 (1-2)

West Burlington/Notre Dame: 3-3 (1-2)

Central Lee: 2-4 (0-3)

Class 3A Local District Rankings

#3 Solon: 6-0 (2-0)

#9 Mt. Pleasant: 6-0 (2-0)

Keokuk: 3-3 (1-1)

Washington: 3-3 (1-1)

Fairfield: 1-5 (0-2)

Fort Madison: 0-6 (0-2)

Class 4A Local District Rankings

Burlington: 5-1 (2-0)

Western Dubuque: 4-2 (2-0)

North Scott: 3-3 (1-1)

Davenport North: 4-2 (1-1)

Clinton: 3-3 (0-2)

Davenport West: 0-6 (0-2)

Leland Max Diers

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 10:22 am CDT

Leland Max Diers, 89, of Farfield and formerly of Lockridge passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Jefferson County Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

 

Lee was born on April 30, 1936, in Jefferson County, the son of Fred Henry and Effie (Marshall) Diers.  He grew up on the family farm in Lockridge and graduated from Lockridge High School with the class of 1955. It was there that Leland’s lifelong love for farming and the outdoors began.  After his graduation he was drafted into the United States Army in 1959. He served his country bravely and was honorably discharged in 1962.  Leland worked for Rauscher Seed House, Dexter Company and later for Chain and Cable.  Eventually, Leland dedicated himself to farming full time, cultivating row crops and raising livestock. Farming was not just a profession for Leland, but a true passion that brought him great joy throughout his life.  He was united in marriage to Sue Ann Fry on November 27, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Fairfield.  Together they enjoyed 54 years of marriage filled with love and laughter.  He had the wonderful gift of being able to fix anything, loved to tinker and loved to play pranks and tease people.   Throughout his life he was always there to help his neighbors regardless of what he was doing. Leland was an Americana Seeds dealer for several years. He later began to work at Graber Services in Lockridge.  In April of 2015, he and Sue moved to Fairfield.  He was a member of the United Life Community Church of Fairfield. 

 

Those thankful for sharing in his life include his wife Sue, and his children, Tim (Angie) Diers and Ted (Kandi) Diers, and his beloved grandchildren, Edith, Gabby, Ruby and Adeline. 

 

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Royal Fredrick Diers, one in infancy and Eugene Diers.

 

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the United Life Community Church in Fairfield with Pastor George King officiating.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant.  The family will not be present.  Following the service at the cemetery the family will receive friends at the church for a time of food and fellowship. A memorial has been established in his memory to the United Life Community Church.

 

 

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

 

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Leland Diers.

Sports, October 6th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Volleyball

Burlington Notre Dame handled business at the New London Tournament over the weekend, as the Nikes did not drop a set against the hosts, Louisa-Muscatine, or English Valleys twice in their four-game run. 

Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield will be gearing up for day one of the Southeast Conference Tournament slated to start tonight at Burlington.

#2 Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Van Buren County at 7:30 pm at home tomorrow, October 7th.

Burlington Notre Dame will travel to Mediapolis tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

New London will square off against West Burlington tomorrow at 7:30 pm at home for their senior night. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Highland tomorrow at 7 pm.

Wapello will tangle with Hillcrest Academy at home tomorrow at 6:30 pm.

Central Lee will take on Danville tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

WACO will host Lone Tree tomorrow at 7 pm.

Columbus will travel to Highland on Thursday, October 9th, at 7:30 pm. 

High School Cross Country

The Columbus boys’ team competed at the Dan Hutson/Steve Johnson Invitational over the weekend and finished in 27th place with 703 points. Ryan Villa led the squad with a time of 17 minutes and 49 seconds, which was good enough for 96th place. The Wildcats will have their senior night on Thursday, October 9th, when they hold the Mike Jay Invitational with New London, WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip.

Wapello and Fairfield will run at the Hillcrest Academy Invitational tonight. 

Mediapolis will host their Invitational on Thursday with Notre Dame/West Burlington, Central Lee, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, Mt. Pleasant, and Wapello participating. 

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will stay on the road to take on Keokuk on Friday, October 10th, at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

Mediapolis will tangle with Mid-Prairie on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Van Buren County will welcome Wapello to town on Friday at 7 pm. 

WACO will host Springville on Friday at 7 pm. 

Fairfield will travel to Fort Madison on Friday at 7:30 pm. 

West Burlington/Notre Dame will look to regroup for their road showdown with West Liberty at 7 pm on Friday. 

Central Lee will compete against Wilton at 7 pm on Friday on the road. 

Danville will take on Pekin on Friday at home to celebrate their senior night at 7 pm. After two straight bye weeks, Bear head coach Cody Thompson is excited to get back to action against an undefeated Panther squad,

“You know, I really think having a big matchup, you know, that the first week back has been beneficial, you know because we’re not looking past everybody. You know, we’re looking right to what’s next. That part has been good to help drive our kids, and you know, like we used it as a good opportunity to teach them, you know, a little bit better on the film breakdown and how to do all those things themselves. And you know, again, we use a lot of time still to focus on ourselves and clean up our mistakes because that was kind of the biggest thing we were seeing throughout the year, is we’d be in good position and then we’d find a way to to get in our own way or, you know, go backward.”

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team ended their tournament run at Rock Valley College with a 2-2 record after sweeping College of Lake County and losing to Harper College in four sets over the weekend. The Blackhawks will host Kirkwood Community College at 7 pm on Wednesday, October 8th. 

The men’s soccer team and Northeast Community College finished the game tied at one over the weekend. 

The women’s soccer team lost a 1-0 nailbiter against Northeast Community College over the weekend. Both soccer teams will travel to St. Louis Community College on Wednesday, October 8th. 

College Football

#22 Iowa State dug themselves into a 24-point hole in the first half and the Cyclones could not climb out, falling to Cincinnati 38-30. Rocco Becht did everything he could, throwing for 314 yards and scoring four total touchdowns. The Cyclones will stay on the road as they look to regroup against Colorado at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call. 

Iowa will travel to Wisconsin on Saturday for kickoff at 6:05 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call. 

This Day in Sports History

1920 – The first brothers to oppose each other in the World Series as Cleveland’s Wheeler Johnston pinch-hits while his brother, Jimmy, plays 3rd base for Brooklyn.

1926 – Babe Ruth becomes the first MLB player to hit three home runs in a World Series game as the New York Yankees beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-5, in Game four at Sportsman’s Park, St. Louis.

1945 – Tavern owner “Billy Goat” Sianis buys a seat for his goat for Game 4 of the Baseball World Series, but is escorted out and casts the infamous “Billy Goat” curse on the Chicago Cubs.

Danville City Council Meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2025 at 5:15 p.m

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 5:04 am CDT

Tuesday, October 6, 2025

Order of business

Danville City Council, Danville City Hall

NOTE: The regular session may be conducted electronically

as allowed by Iowa Code 21.8

Citizen comments: Comments must be directed to the subject under consideration. The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of the citizen comments. Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Council during the meeting.

1. Call to order at 5:15 p.m..

2. Action to go into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.

3. Action to come out of closed session.

4. Statement regarding the closed session. No action will be taken by council at this time.

1. Regular session call to order at 5:45 p.m..

2. Accept or amend the agenda.

3. Discussion on concerns from Loretta Robertson and Kara Venvertloh regarding 327 North Main Street property, action if needed.

4. Discussion with Jason Samples regarding Wagner Park, action if needed.

5. Setting of date/time for trick-or-treating.

6. Building Inspector/Fire Chief Report

A. Approval of building permits

7. Public Works Report

A. Action on written report.

B. Review of DOT annual letter

C. Discussion and action on invoice for Skid-Steer from Bobcat

8. Approval of consent agenda.

A. Council minutes of September 15, 2025.

B. Payment of bills.

C. Financial Report for July 2025

D. Approval of Waste Water Treatment Plant Billing.

D. City clerk to attend Fall IMFOA meeting in DesMoines October 15-17

9. Council correspondence and reports.

A. Discussion and action on correspondence with Brittni Rahmus regarding WWTP billing, action if needed.

B. Discussion and action on letter received by the Iowa Rural Water Association.

10. Open forum: A time set aside to receive comments from the public regarding city business. The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public on any subject pertaining to City business, including items on this agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks to five minutes in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.

10. Adjournment.

Next regular session of the Danville City Council will be on,

Monday, October 20, 2025 starting at 5:15 p.m..

Shirley Pauline Hermann-Dorothy

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 4:59 am CDT

Shirley Pauline Hermann-Dorothy, 89, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Country Lane Manor in Keosauqua.

Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 8th at Behner Funeral Home. Burial will be in Glasgow Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to 2097-185th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Shirley was born January 11, 1936 at the farm near Glasgow to LeRoy and Mary Ethel (Carter) Heisel. She graduated from Stockport High School in 1953, and then went to Burlington Beauty Academy. She married Toby Hermann in 1954. They later divorced.

Shirley worked at IRC in Burlington while pursuing her dream of becoming a country music radio personality. She started her career in Wichita, Kansas. She then moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and finally to Amarillo, Texas, where she worked on Mel Tillis’ radio station. Her radio name was Jody Carter, in honor of her mother.

In the mid 1980’s, she left radio and began working at Dillard’s in Amarillo. She then moved to Jefferson City, Missouri and worked at Dillard’s for a career that spanned 19 years, receiving many recognitions as employee of the year, along with others.

Shirley moved back to Iowa in the early 2000’s. In 2011, she started dating an old school friend, Donnie Dorothy. They were married December 12, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Donnie; children, Toby (Laurie) Hermann of Iowa City, Tim (Lorrie) Hermann of Jefferson City, Missouri, Ted (Helene) Hermann of Winfield, Trudie (Ralph) Crum of Amarillo, Texas, and Tom (Michelle) Hermann of Iowa City; step-children, Dirk Dorothy of Fairfield, Peggy McDonald of Libertyville, and Brigit Kuchenbecker of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 21 step-great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and 7 step-great-great grandchildren; sisters, Bettye Davis of Wichita, Kansas, and Beverly Mason of Burlington; sister-cousin, LuEtta (Dennis) Fulton of Keosauqua; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; uncle and aunt, Lou and Marjory Wilhelm, who raised her after the death of her mother; brother, Allen “Willy” Heisel; grandson, Jace Stafford; step-son, Dennis Dorothy; along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Shirley reminds us all to make someone feel special today in your bank of memories. Online condolences may be made at www.behnerfh.com.

10/5/25-10/11/25 Fire Prevention Week!

By Patrick Fee · Saturday, October 4th, 2025 at 8:58 am CDT

Fire Prevention Week 2025 is Sunday, October 5 through Saturday, October 11th.   The week in October commemorates the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871, and killed over 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed over 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.

This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home”. This campaign is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, and the goal is to educate the public on how to safely purchase, charge, and recycle lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires.  Other things to keep in mind: have a home fire escape plan, test and replace batteries with smoke detectors, and practice natural gas safety.  Area Fire Departments have the opportunity to focus on fire safety education.

4-H Open House Next Week

By Patrick Fee · Saturday, October 4th, 2025 at 6:36 am CDT

The ISU Extension office in Mt. Pleasant is holding an open house/kickoff event for 4-H Kids and families on October 7th and 8th.  These events are open to all Henry County families: new and returning, and give people the opportunity to see what 4-H is about.  Tuesday, October 7th, is Clover Kids Night for grades K-3 from 6-7pm and Wednesday, October 8th is Welcome Night for grades 4-12.  Explore what 4-H has to offer, meet your local clubs and leaders, get enrolled for the year, explore activity stations.  The Henry County ISU Extension office is located at 127 N. Main Street in Mt. Pleasant.