Week 8 Dog House Rankings

By Chuck Banks | CCA Radio Broadcast Network
Iowa • Illinois • Missouri

October football has arrived, and the opportunities are getting bigger while the number of games left keeps getting smaller.

Across the Dog House coverage area, we have undefeated teams chasing championships, contenders trying to secure their postseason opportunities, and dangerous teams whose records do not tell their entire story. Some are trying to protect what they have earned. Others are trying to kick the door open.

These rankings bring together programs across three states and several classifications. Records matter, but so do the competition, the challenges ahead, and how a team responds when the game gets uncomfortable.

For our seniors, these next few weeks mean something more. There are only so many practices, bus rides, and Friday nights left with the people beside you. Make them count.

Here is how the Dog House sees the field heading into the stretch run.

1. Solon Spartans — 6–0

Coach Stanton and company continue to hold the top spot. Solon was my preseason pick to win it all in Iowa Class 3A, and the Spartans have done nothing to move me away from that prediction.

The closing schedule demands their attention. Week 7 sends Solon to Case Field to face 3–3 Washington. Then comes the matchup everybody is watching: undefeated Mount Pleasant visits Solon in Week 8. The Spartans finish at home against Fort Madison in Week 9.

Solon has earned its position. Now comes the work of defending it against opponents who would love to change the district conversation.

2. Brown County Hornets — 7–0

Coach Little has this mean green group focused, confident, and taking care of business. With a conference title secured, Brown County has another accomplishment to celebrate—but there is still plenty of football ahead.

The Hornets travel to 0–7 North Greene on Saturday, October 10, at 1 p.m. The responsibility there is to prepare with the same seriousness that got them to this point.

Then comes a tremendous regular-season finale: 7–0 Calhoun/Brussels visits Brown County on October 16. If both teams take care of their next assignment, that showdown will feature two undefeated programs with an opportunity to make a powerful statement before the postseason.

3. Mount Pleasant Panthers — 6–0

Coach Bowlin’s one-game-at-a-time approach continues to serve the Panthers well. Mount Pleasant has earned the attention surrounding its undefeated start, but the next opponent still has to come first.

Week 7 brings 1–5 Keokuk to town. The Chiefs would love to disrupt the Panthers’ plans, and Mount Pleasant cannot let the anticipation of Solon interfere with its preparation.

Week 8 sends the Panthers to our No. 1 team for a major district showdown. Fairfield visits in Week 9. There is a lot within reach for this group, and every week now carries weight.

4. Regina Catholic Regals — 6–0 — Up two spots

Regina moves up two positions, and the Regals have an immediate opportunity to justify that climb.

Week 7 brings 6–1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont to town in a matchup with district championship stakes. This is the kind of game where finishing possessions, protecting the football, and avoiding costly mistakes can decide the outcome.

Regina then travels to 1–5 Louisa-Muscatine in Week 8. The Regals have put themselves in an excellent position. Their job now is to finish the regular season with the same consistency that built this undefeated record.

5. Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks — 5–1

Mid-Prairie faces a demanding two-week finish against teams with plenty to play for.

The Golden Hawks travel to 3–3 Mediapolis in Week 7. I expect a closer game than some people might anticipate. The Bulldogs are facing postseason pressure, and that urgency makes this a serious road assignment.

Week 8 brings 4–2 West Burlington/Notre Dame to Mid-Prairie. The Falcons also have a great deal riding on the outcome. The Golden Hawks will need to handle two motivated opponents without allowing one week’s result to determine the next week’s preparation.

6. Mount Vernon Mustangs — 5–1

Mount Vernon’s closing schedule offers both opportunity and a significant test.

The Mustangs host 3–3 Central DeWitt in Week 7 before traveling to 4–2 Wahlert Catholic in Week 8. They finish at home against 4–2 Assumption in a game that could carry major district title implications.

There is no room to coast through that stretch. Mount Vernon has positioned itself among our strongest teams, and these final three games will show how well the Mustangs can sustain that level when the stakes keep rising.

7. Centerville Big Reds — 6–0

Homecoming in my hometown comes with a serious football assignment. Coach Kovacevich and the undefeated Big Reds welcome a 4–2 Albia team looking to spoil the celebration.

I have been watching the potential Week 8 showdown with PCM, but Albia deserves Centerville’s full attention first. The Blue Demons have an opportunity to change the conversation before PCM ever gets to town.

Week 8 brings the 3–3 Mustangs to Centerville in a game shaping up to carry district championship implications. The Big Reds have earned this opportunity. Now they have to keep earning it, one opponent at a time.

8. Macomb Bombers — 6–1

Coach Horrell’s Bombers enter one of the biggest games on our board. Week 8 brings 6–1 Illini West to Macomb with a conference championship at stake.

This is an opportunity for Macomb to turn a strong season into a championship season. Against an opponent with the same record and the same ambition, possessions become valuable. A turnover, a missed tackle, or a stalled scoring opportunity could loom large.

The Bombers close at 3–4 Elmwood/Brimfield in Week 9. First, though, comes a showdown that deserves the attention of football fans across our coverage area.

9. Illini West Chargers — 6–1

The Chargers sit directly behind Macomb, and they get the chance to settle that comparison on the field.

Illini West travels to Macomb in Week 8 for a conference championship battle. Winning that game will require handling the road environment and responding when the Bombers create momentum. There will be difficult stretches for both teams; the response to those stretches could decide the championship.

Week 9 sends Illini West to 1–6 GCMS. The Chargers have built an impressive season, and the next two games give them a chance to finish it with something substantial.

10. Pekin Panthers — 7–0

Pekin is the highest-ranked Iowa Class A program in our Top 25, and the undefeated Panthers have a district showdown waiting for them.

Week 7 brings 5–2 Danville to town. The Bears have earned respect and arrive with an opportunity to challenge Pekin’s position. This is a game that deserves attention beyond the records beside the team names.

Pekin hosts 1–5 Columbus in Week 8. The Panthers have a chance to finish the regular season unbeaten, but getting there starts with handling a motivated Danville team.

11. Scotland County Tigers — 4–1

Scotland County faces a demanding stretch that should tell us plenty about the Tigers.

Week 7 sends them to undefeated Salisbury. Week 8 brings another road challenge at 4–2 Westran. Those are two substantial assignments before the Tigers return home to face Clark County in Week 9.

Scotland County has earned a place just outside our Top 10. The opportunity now is to show how its success holds up against this closing schedule. Strong performances here would give the Tigers valuable momentum heading into the next stage of their season.

12. Fairfield Trojans — 3–3

Fairfield has meaningful football in front of it, beginning with a visit from 3–3 Fort Madison in Week 7.

The Trojans are trying to strengthen their postseason position, while the Bloodhounds are looking for a response of their own. That combination gives this matchup plenty of urgency.

Fairfield travels to 1–5 Keokuk in Week 8 before finishing at undefeated Mount Pleasant. Every result matters in that stretch. The Trojans have an opportunity to help their own cause, beginning with a home game against a team that needs a win just as badly.

13. Williamsburg Raiders — 3–3

Williamsburg has a path to a strong finish, but the Raiders still have to complete the work.

Week 7 brings 1–5 Winterset to town, followed by a Week 8 trip to 1–5 Knoxville. With the Saydel finale listed as a forfeit, a 6–3 finish is within reach if Williamsburg handles those next two games.

My expectation is that the Raiders will use this stretch to build confidence and sharpen their execution. Finishing well matters. A team that enters the postseason playing its best football can be a difficult opponent, regardless of its midseason record.

14. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont — 6–1

EBF has a tremendous opportunity in Week 7 when it travels to undefeated Regina Catholic.

This is the district showdown the Rockets have worked toward. Winning on the road against our No. 4 team would strengthen their standing and give them a major late-season accomplishment.

Week 8 brings 1–6 Durant to EBF. The Rockets’ immediate focus, however, belongs on Regina. Games of this magnitude reward teams that stay composed, finish drives, and make the opponent earn everything. EBF has a chance to prove it belongs higher on this list.

15. Mediapolis Bulldogs — 3–3

Mediapolis is entering a stretch where the pressure is real.

Week 7 brings 5–1 Mid-Prairie to town, and I expect the Bulldogs to give the Golden Hawks a serious challenge. Mepo has an opportunity to improve its postseason position against one of our highest-ranked teams.

Week 8 sends the Bulldogs to Central Lee. The Hawks have lost three straight, but that does not make the trip an easy assignment. Mediapolis needs to bring the same urgency to both games. The Bulldogs have work to do, and the opportunity is still in front of them.

16. Washington Demons — 3–3

Washington gets an immediate chance to shake up these rankings when undefeated Solon visits Case Field in Week 7.

The Demons will need a complete performance against our No. 1 team. Every possession and every defensive stop will matter. This is an opportunity to show what Washington can do against a championship contender.

Week 8 sends the Demons to Fort Madison, followed by a home finale against Keokuk. Washington’s finish can influence the district race in several ways, and the Demons still have plenty of reason to attack these final three weeks.

17. West Burlington/Notre Dame Falcons — 4–2

The Falcons understand the assignment: finish strong and give themselves the best possible opportunity to return to the postseason.

Week 7 brings 4–2 West Liberty to town. With both teams facing meaningful district stakes, this game should have the urgency of postseason football.

WB/ND then travels to 5–1 Mid-Prairie in Week 8. That is a difficult closing road assignment. The Falcons have put themselves in a position where their next two performances can make a substantial difference. Their preparation needs to match the importance of the opportunity.

18. Danville Bears — 5–2

Danville heads to undefeated Pekin in Week 7 with a district title opportunity in front of it.

The Bears have had a strong season, and this gives them a chance to earn an even bigger result. Beating Pekin on the road will require staying composed, making the most of scoring opportunities, and avoiding the mistakes that help an undefeated opponent take control.

Week 8 brings winless Wapello to Danville. First comes the Panthers. The Bears have earned the right to play a meaningful late-season game, and now they get to show what they can do with it.

19. Fort Madison Bloodhounds — 3–3

Coach Doherty’s Bloodhounds look to rebound at Fairfield in Week 7. With both teams at 3–3, there is plenty at stake for each sideline.

Fort Madison needs a strong response and a performance it can build on. Week 8 brings Washington to Richmond Stadium, followed by a Week 9 trip to undefeated Solon.

The Bloodhounds have three important assignments remaining. For this group, the focus needs to stay on the work immediately ahead: prepare well, execute consistently, and give themselves a chance to finish the season with momentum.

20. West Hancock Titans — 2–5

Coach Dorothy’s Titans remain a team opponents need to take seriously. Their record does not erase their ability to create problems.

Week 8 brings 3–4 Elmwood/Brimfield to Hamilton. That is an opportunity for West Hancock to reward its persistence with a late-season win.

Week 9 sends the Titans to 3–4 Farmington. I joked that those offenses might combine for 150 points, but the point stands: this has the potential to be an entertaining finish. West Hancock still has meaningful football to play and opportunities to leave a strong final impression.

21. Burlington Greyhounds — 2–4

Burlington faces a challenging final three weeks.

The Greyhounds travel to 4–2 Davenport North in Week 7, host 2–4 North Scott in Week 8, and finish at 5–1 Western Dubuque in Week 9.

There is an opportunity in each game to compete, improve, and earn a result that changes how this season ends. Burlington’s task is to keep its attention on the next assignment. Late-season progress comes from continuing to prepare with purpose, especially when the schedule demands a great deal.

22. Van Buren County Warriors — 3–3

Van Buren County has put together a competitive season and enters the final stretch with an opportunity to strengthen its finish.

Week 7 sends the Warriors to winless Wapello. Week 8 brings a road trip to 2–4 South Tama County.

These are important games for a group sitting at .500. Van Buren County can give us a clearer picture of how dangerous it might be by finishing with consistent performances. The Warriors need to make the most of the opportunities ahead rather than allowing an opponent’s record to shape their preparation.

23. Keokuk Chiefs — 1–5

Keokuk’s record leaves the Chiefs near the bottom of this list, but district opponents cannot afford to dismiss them.

Week 7 sends Keokuk to undefeated Mount Pleasant. Fairfield visits in Week 8, and the Chiefs finish at Washington in Week 9.

That schedule gives Keokuk several opportunities to influence the district race. Teams fighting for postseason position need to understand that the Chiefs have reasons of their own to compete hard. One strong performance can change an opponent’s plans and give Keokuk something meaningful to build on.

24. Central Lee Hawks — 2–4

Central Lee is looking to stop a three-game slide in a district that demands a great deal every week.

Week 7 brings 4–2 Wilton to town. Week 8 brings 3–3 Mediapolis to Central Lee. Both opponents arrive with plenty at stake.

The Hawks need to regain confidence through execution: finish possessions, avoid giving away opportunities, and respond when something goes wrong. There are still games to win and moments to make. A difficult stretch does not remove the value of the work or the possibility of a strong finish.

25. Clark County Indians — 1–5

Clark County closes our rankings, with three opportunities remaining to shape the ending of its season.

Week 7 brings undefeated Centralia to town. The Indians then travel to winless Highland in Week 8 before finishing at Scotland County in Week 9.

Centralia presents a major challenge, while Highland offers an opportunity to earn a needed result. The Scotland County finale gives Clark County another chance to test itself against a ranked team. For the Indians, each week is a chance to turn continued effort into something they can carry forward.

There is a lot of football left to decide across these three states. Championships are within reach. Postseason opportunities are being contested. Teams outside the spotlight still have a chance to create a moment their communities will remember.

I have tremendous respect for the coaches, players, and communities doing this work. The preparation, the sacrifice, and the commitment behind these games deserve attention.

To the seniors: take a good look around. Remember the teammates beside you, the coaches pushing you, and the families waiting after the game. These nights pass quickly.

Prepare with purpose. Play for each other. Make the next opportunity count.

Chuck Banks
CCA Radio Broadcast Network | The Dog House

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