High School Football Rankings Shakeup: Ankeny Centennial Takes No. 1 Spot in Class 5A

Des Moines, Iowa — The excitement in high school football continues this week as Ankeny Centennial claimed the top spot in Class 5A, marking the third consecutive week that the No. 1 team has changed. After a narrow victory against Waukee, the Jaguars now stand at a perfect record of 3-0, edging out Waukee by just one poll point, 57-56. Both teams split the six first-place votes equally, showcasing how close the competition is at the top.

However, the journey to hold onto the No. 1 ranking may not be easy. Each of the previous top teams has faced setbacks. Ankeny fell to Centennial in the first week, while West Des Moines Valley lost to West Des Moines Dowling in Week 2. Most recently, Dowling experienced a tough defeat against Ankeny last Friday, which further illustrates the competitive nature of this season.

This week promises more challenges as Ankeny faces Southeast Polk at home while Waukee travels to No. 3 West Des Moines Valley. Both games will be crucial for maintaining their standings and proving their rightful place at the top.

Meanwhile, the remaining teams in Class 5A include West Des Moines Dowling and Bettendorf, rounding out the top five. Linn-Mar moved up two spots to No. 6 after a solid 21-7 win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy. It’s a notable shift as Cedar Rapids Prairie breaks into the rankings for the first time this season at No. 10 after defeating Southeast Polk 30-20.

The dominance of the top teams remains consistent across all classes. Lewis Central keeps the top position in Class 4A, continuing their perfect run against Adel ADM with a close score of 30-27. The Class 3A standings are also showing a competitive edge, especially with Solon’s upcoming showdown against co-No. 3 Mount Vernon.

As the season unfolds, football fans can expect more thrilling games and surprising upsets, making every week more exciting than the last.