Prep Football: RPI Rankings for Classes 5A, 4A, and 3A Released Along with New Top 10 for the Rest of the Classes

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 2:54 pm CDT

Prep Football- The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released their second round of rankings for Classes 2A, 1A, A, and 8-Player; additionally, the IHSAA also sent out their first edition of the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) for Classes 3A, 4A, and 5A.

Class 5A

Only two undefeated teams remain in Class 5A, and Bettendorf sits atop the rankings with a 27-24 win over #8 Linn-Mar being their marquee win of the season. The other 6-0 squad is #6 Ottumwa as Koby Chanthalavanh has eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season.

The Bulldogs were tested against #31 Ames last Friday, which hurts their strength of schedule. However, Ottumwa should very well enter their week 9 contest against #3 Waterloo West a perfect 8-0.

Last year’s champion, Southeast Polk sits at just 3-3 in a bit of a championship hangover, which places the Rams at 17th.

For a full look at the ratings: Class 5A Ratings Percentage Index

Class 4A

Plenty of undefeated teams remain in Class 4A as the top three teams (North Polk, Decorah, and Pella) all sit at 6-0. ADM’s 30-27 loss to Lewis Central is the only blemish on their record, but the Tigers sit above last year’s champs at #4.

Gilbert is the final undefeated team at #6 as their opponents’ record is tied with Lewis Central for the worst in the top 10. Last year’s runner-up, Western Dubuque, is 4-2 and ranked #7 as they have faced one of the toughest schedules this season.

Burlington has picked up two wins in dominating fashion this season, but the Grayhounds have been outscored 94 to 0 in district play so far. Thus, Burlington has an RPI ranking of #27 out of 36 teams. They are the lowest ranked two-win team in Class 4A.

For a full look at the ratings: Class 4A Ratings Percentage Index

Class 3A

Week 7 football will feature a showdown between #1 Algona (6-0) and #2 Humboldt (5-1). Despite #3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Wahlert Catholic both touting undefeated records, the only blemish on the Wildcats record comes from a narrow 26-17 loss to Class 4A’s #1 North Polk.

The Bulldogs win on defense and special teams with four interceptions returned for a touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown on the season. Coen Maston will look to ball out for Humboldt with 1,183 passing yards and 15 total touchdowns on the season.

Solon could have been the number one team a week ago, but a 21-20 misstep against #16 Benton knocked them down to #7 in the rankings. The Spartans will be tasked with taking on #8 Williamsburg, whose only loss was at the hands of Class 4A’s #8 Xavier.

Mt. Vernon enters the list at #10 after avoiding an upset to #32 Assumption. #12 Washington also avoided an upset to #31 Mt Pleasant as their off to one of their best starts in a half-decade at 5-1. The Demons should be able to move to 6-1 as they take on the Saints.

#31 Mt. Pleasant, the lowest ranked two-win team, will compete against #21 Keokuk who sits at 3-3 after taking on Class 5A’s #6 Ottumwa and Class 4A’s #3 Pella to start the season. Lastly, Fairfield is ranked #34 and Fort Madison is in last place at #36.

For a full look at the ratings: Class 3A Ratings Percentage Index

Class 2A

No new teams in the rankings after a week of competition, in fact, the top six remained the same with West Lyon and PCM holding on to their perfect records. The difference is Des Moines Christian loss their game and fell back to #10, while the rest of the teams got bumped up one spot.

Class 1A

Different class, similar story. top five did not change with Grundy Center beating up #7 South Hardin 35-0, leading to the only change in the rankings with OABCIG jumping up to #6. However, the Falcons will be tested against #9 Hinton on Friday night at home.

Class A

No change in the top 10 with West Hancock sitting above ACGC. The Eagles have not allowed a point in two weeks and the Chargers have scored 50 points or more in their last two wins.

8-Player

There’s a new team in the top 10 with #10 GTRA replacing Belle Plaine after the Plainsmen fell to Montezuma last Friday 28-24. Bedford replaced Belle Plaine at the #9 slot, while Lenox remained at #1 followed by five undefeated teams.

One of local adjacent teams, #8 Iowa Valley, stormed to their 5th 70-point plus outing last Friday against Winfield-Mt. Union. Sophomore sensation Nolan Kriegel has nearly 2,000 total yards and 27 total touchdowns this season for the Tigers.

The Tigers will face off against Belle Plaine to end the regular season on October 18th in a road matchup.

District Standings for Local Teams

Class 4A District 3

Clear Creek-Amana: 2-0 (4-2)

Xavier: 2-0 (4-2)

North Scott: 1-1 (4-2)

Clinton: 1-1 (2-4)

Oskaloosa: 0-2 (1-5)

Burlington: 0-2 (2-4)

Class 3A District 4

#10 Mt. Vernon: 2-0 (5-1)

Washington: 2-0 (5-1)

Keokuk: 1-1 (3-3)

Assumption: 1-1 (1-5)

Mt. Pleasant: 0-2 (2-4)

Fort Madison: 0-2 (0-6)

District 5

#8 Williamsburg: 2-0 (5-1)

Benton: 2-0 (4-2)

#7 Solon: 1-1 (5-1)

Grinnell: 1-1 (5-1)

Fairfield: 0-2 (1-5)

South Tama County: 0-2 (0-6)

Class 2A District 5

Mid-Prairie: 3-0 (3-3)

Albia: 2-1 (4-2)

West Burlington/Notre Dame: 2-1 (5-1)

Mediapolis: 1-2 (2-4)

Central Lee: 1-2 (4-2)

Davis County: 0-3 (3-3)

Class A District 5

#4 Lisbon: 5-0 (6-0)

Pekin: 4-1 (5-1)

Danville: 4-1 (4-2)

Columbus: 3-2 (3-3)

Wapello: 2-3 (2-4)

Van Buren County: 1-4 (1-5)

Highland: 1-4 (2-4)

Louisa-Muscatine: 0-5 (0-6)

8-Player District 6

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

WACO: 3-1 (6-1)

Winfield-Mt. Union: 2-2 (3-3)

English Valleys: 1-2 (1-5)

New London: 1-3 (1-5)

HLV: 0-3 (1-6)

Deputy Injured during Manhunt

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 2:52 pm CDT

A Louisa County Sheriff deputy was injured during a manhunt on Thursday which started in Columbus Junction.

Just after 3:00pm, a traffic stop was conducted by the Columbus Junction Police Department. The driver, who was pulled over for multiple violations, exited his vehicle, but then got back in and flew westbound from downtown Columbus Junction at a high rate of speed, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles. Eventually, the driver crashed at a road construction barrier near X17, rolling the vehicle several times. The driver ran from the crash into a timber to the south.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus Junction Police Department set up a perimeter, ultimately locating the subject with K9 Drake and utilizing a drone. The suspect was later identified as Francisco Nunez, age 46, of Muscatine, IA. Nunez complained of injuries, but was cleared later at a local hospital. He remains at the Louisa County Jail on a $7,500.00 cash only bond.

As a result of this incident Nunez has been arrested on multiple charges…

Felony Eluding-C Felony
Driving while revoked-OWI
Interference with official acts
Driving while suspended
Reckless Driving

Multiple traffic citations
*further charges are pending by Louisa County Sheriff’s Office

Multiple agencies assisted the Columbus Junction Police Department to include the Louisa County Ambulance, Mincers Towing, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT and the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

Jeffrey Hunt

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 2:50 pm CDT

Jeffery Alan Hunt, 65, of Burlington, died, Sunday, October 6,2024.  He was born in Iowa City on September 12, 1959 to Ruby Louise Nevins.

He attended schools in Ottumwa and served in the United States Army. He worked as a press operator and fabricator at Gregory Manufacturing, then at ESCP Corp in Mediapolis before retiring.  Jeff enjoyed going to Farney’s to visit with friends; mushroom hunting; fishing; and going to the cabin with his Uncle Lonnie.

Survivors include his brother Jason Scott of Batavia; aunts, Connie Jones of New London, Shirley Hobbs of Ottumwa, Dee Gannon of Springfield, Missouri and Debbie Finney of Bella Vista, Arkansas; uncles Ronald and Greg; many cousins; and a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother Ruby; Grandmother Mary who was very important in his life; and uncles, Lonnie, Jim, Fred and Lester.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 12th at the McElhinny House, 300 N. Court, Fairfield.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Feed a Farmer Event This Friday!

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 11:06 am CDT

The Annual Feed a Farmer event will be held this Friday, October 11th. Farmers are invited to the Chem-Gro in Salem, and the AgriCenter and Becks, both in Mt. Pleasant, between noon and 3pm. A sack lunch will be provided with your choice of hamburger or cheeseburger, as well as a bag of chips, a cookie, and a water. If you need your food delivered because you are busy with harvest, call Kaylen if you are in the Salem/Houghton area at 319 931 6659, or Alexis at 319 850 9767. If you are in the Mt. Pleasant area, call Briar at 319 217 1407.

This annual event is hosted by the Mt. Pleasant FFA and sponsored by the Mabeus Family and Hy-Vee.

Glenda Douthart

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 10:39 am CDT

Glenda Faye Douthart, aged 73, passed away on October 6, 2024, in West Burlington, Iowa.  Born on July 9, 1951, in Unionville, Missouri, she was a cherished member of the community.

Glenda dedicated 20 years of her life to working in the Hy-Vee kitchens in both Mount Pleasant and Fairfield.  Her commitment to her work was paralleled by her devotion to her family, particularly her three sons, whom she raised with immense love and care.

She shared a beautiful and adventurous life with her husband, Dennis Duane Douthart.  Together, they enjoyed exploring various garage sales and thrift shops, a hobby that brought them both joy and closer together.

Glenda leaves behind a loving family: her husband, Dennis; sons, Joe, David, and Dustin Douthart; grandchildren, Mahala, Dylan, Lexi, Dalaynie, and Aella; brothers, Kenneth (Earlene) White, Richard (Christine) Casteel, Earl Casteel, Mike (Connie) Casteel, and Dennis Casteel; and sister, Norma (Roger) Elliott.  She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lillian (Christy) Casteel; siblings, Bob Christy, Louise Carlson, Jack White, Kathleen Smith, and Bill Casteel.

Glenda’s life was marked by her warmth and generosity, touching the lives of all those around her.  Her legacy of love and dedication will live on through her family and all who knew her.

Behner Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.   A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Delores Walker

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 10:30 am CDT

Delores E. Walker age 74 of Hedrick passed away October 3, 2024, at her home. 

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 10 at Sigourney Hope Lutheran Church.  With the funeral service starting at 10:30 and Pastor Richard Meyer officiating. Burial will follow the service in Pennington Cemetery south of Sigourney.

Memorials may be made to Sigourney Hope Lutheran Church.

Delores was born June 30, 1950, to Donald and Doris Beauchamp Johnston.  She married John Walker in Fairfield April 1982.

She worked as a legal secretary for Boxx and Boxx in Ottumwa and at the Seminary Library as a librarian in Indiana.   Delores enjoyed doing needle point, cross stich and doing ceramics.

She will be missed by her husband, John of Hedrick; her siblings, Pat (Bob) Palmquist, Ron (Janice) Johnston and Jerry (Susan) Johnston; and her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Doris Johnston.

Burlington Police Respond to Shots Fired Incident

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 9:40 am CDT

The Burlington Police Department is asking for help from the public in a shooting investigation. Just after midnight on Sunday, October 6th, Burlington Police Officers responded to a report of bullet holes in a vehicle in the 1000 block of North 7th St. The Burlington Criminal Investigation Division collected evidence as is investigating the incident. If you have any information, please call the Burlington Police Department at 319 671 7001. You can also call the Crimestoppers at 319 753 6835, in which you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Car Collision Leads to Shootout in Washington

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 7th, 2024 at 7:55 am CDT

At approximately 3:45pm on Sunday, October 6th, the Washington Police Department responded to several calls of a reported motor vehicle accident with shots fired in the 200 block of West Madison Street.

A Washington Police Officer observed both vehicles leaving the scene eastbound on Madison Avenue with one of the vehicles attached to the other. Both vehicles eventually came to a stop, just north of the intersection of East Washington and South 9th.

It was reported that a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Aaron Kron, age 27, of Riverside backed his vehicle into a Chevrolet Suburban near the intersection of West Madison and South Ave. B.

Kron drove away from the scene with the Suburban still attached to his vehicle as a passenger in the Suburban, Daegan Brown, age 24, of Brighton fired a handgun at the Kron vehicle.

There were no injuries reported in the accident or the shooting incident.

Kron was arrested and charged with Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon and Brown was arrested and charged with Intimidation With a Dangerous Weapon. Both were transported to the Washington County Jail.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Washington Police Department was assisted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Communications, Washington Fire & EMS, and Moore’s Towing.