An almost entirely new Class 1A, District 3 is set for the 2025-26 cycle, as the lone returning member to the district is Central Springs, who finished last in what was a loaded district in 2024. The district remains loaded at the top, as the crown jewel is 3-time defending champion and 2-time defending Class 1A Champion Grundy Center, with 1A quarterfinalist South Hardin right behind them. Eagle Grove moves over from District 2, while Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows move down from Class 2A.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
The Cowboys return a plethora of experience from a 2024 team that battled injuries among other things in a disappointing 2-7 campaign. Things are lined up for the Cowboys to perhaps be a breakout team in 2025, led by the return of quarterback JD Morrical, looking to build from an up-and-down 2024. Helping Morrical is a 1-2 punch at running back of Selvin Gonzalez and Charlie Campbell, that combined for nearly 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns. Leading receiver Huxley Lingenfelter is back at tight end after nearly 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, as the offensive line will be young, but anchored by junior JT Kelso.
Defensively, a stout linebacking core and secondary is a perfect marriage for Caleb Vogel’s 3-3-5 defense. Huxley Lingenfelter is the heartbeat of the defense after a team-high 60 tackles last season, joined by Mason Warnke who tallied 27.5 tackles, as the 3rd linebacker spot is up for grabs. The secondary returns all 5 starters in Charlie Campbell, Selvin Gonzalez, Charlie Campbell, Kolton Hefti and Ryan Hartwig. The defensive line will be a project, as JT Kelso is the lone returning starter at nose tackle, with athletes such as Ryland Morgan, Daven Duncalf, Armando Melendez and Calder Creason in the mix to solidify the front 3.
Eagle Grove
After a 1-8 campaign in 2024, Eagle Grove looks and feels to have the pieces to make a charge at a playoff berth in 2025. Adrian Whipple steps in at quarterback but has gotten plenty of varsity experience beforehand. The Eagles return their starting backfield, as fullback Trenton Robinson led the Eagles with almost 600 yards and 4 touchdowns last season, while Leelan Spencer, Arturo Reyna Salazar and Aaron Alaniz give Eagle Grove speed on the edge. The offensive line brings back key starters in Reece Demuth, Jayden Kreitlow, James Harle and Christian Martinez.
Defensively, the Eagles return an overwhelming majority of their production in 2025, starting with a prolific linebacking core led by senior Hayden Schafer. Schafer led Eagle Grove with 42 tackles and 5.5 TFL last season, as Dylan Terwilliger added 32.5 tackles and Arturo Reyna Salazar tallied 27 tackles. The defensive line brings back high-production pieces in Trenton Robinson, Reece Demuth and the unit’s leading-tackler in Christian Martinez. Eagle Grove’s secondary does need to replace Jaxon Morris and Brett Ascherl, but Cam Sisson and Aaron Alaniz provide a good foundation to build off of.
Grundy Center
The Spartans have made a compelling argument of being the premier small-school powerhouse in Iowa High School Football over the past 6 years with 3 runner-up finishes and 3 state championships. Travis Zajac’s Spartans are among the favorites to win their 3rd-consecutive state title and their 4th in a row overall, led by preseason favorite to be the 1A Player of the Year in quarterback Judd Jirovsky, who threw for 2,181 yards and rushed for another 532 yards and a combined 43 touchdowns. Jirvosky will break a newer receiving core, as Devin Hinders lead the returning group with 21 catches for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns, as Pete Lebo is the top returning running back, rushing for 402 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024. A couple key cogs on the offensive line are gone in Ryker Thoren and Klayton Freed, but Ryder Slifer and Parker Kremenak lead a unit that’s one of the deeper ones in Class 1A.
Defensively, a good chunk of the Spartans defensive production graduates, as the defensive backfield is the top unit back for Grundy Center. Judd Jirvosky was equally as dominant on the defensive side with 8 interceptions and 2 pick sixes, while Aiden Hook brings a dynamic component with 39.5 tackles, 5 TFL and 2 sacks. Pete Lebo leads the linebacking core after 42 tackles and 4 TFL, as Grant Newton and Hayden Geerdes will be likely to step into expanded roles at linebacker. The defensive line will have a couple of big play athletes back in Ryder Slifer and defensive end Devin Hinders.
South Hardin
2024 was a landmark year for South Hardin football, as the Tigers put up a 9-2 record and a quarterfinal appearance, their most wins in a season since back-to-back 7-2 campaigns in 2006 and 2007, the first two seasons of the South Hardin program. Nick Eller’s program will have a chance to capitalize on more momentum as they return one of the most prolific passing duos in the state in quarterback Peyton Welch and wide receiver Sam Benson. Welch threw for 1,852 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, while Benson caught 54 balls for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Tigers receiving room also brings back veteran experience in Casey Williamson and Jake Balvanz, while the running back room is a green one, which will likely be led by Manning Pfantz and Kameron Adams. The offensive line will be a rebuild early, but bring back key pieces in Sawyer Kane and Preston Dolash.
The South Hardin defense will put a heavy emphasis on an experienced linebacking core, as leading tackler Lucas Perry is back after 56 tackles, 5 TFL and an interception in 2024, while Sawyer Kane added 43.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL and a sack. Gavin Starr will see an expanded role as well, after tallying 29.5 tackles in 2024. The secondary will see Sam Benson lead the way after 47.5 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 pick sixes in 2024, as Casey Williamson added 22.5 tackles, while Jake Balvanz also contributed an interception. The defensive line will be a bit of a rebuild, with players such as Preston Dolash, Gabe Steiner and Carter Zollar.
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
The Cardinals were able to sneak into the Class 2A Playoffs last season at 2-6, and while it was a quick-exit against eventual state champions West Lyon, GHV will try an build off the accomplishment. It will be a much different looking roster, as there will be a battle for the starting quarterback spot between sophomore Preston Davison and junior Jacob Greiman. The backfield will also be younger with the graduation of Lucas Kral, as Zane Black and Parker Stearns are the top 2 backs returning, while the receiving room will be a total rebuild. The offensive line will also be a big rebuild, with players such as Kaden Kral, Gavin Braun and Kaleb Stuart to watch on the line.
The Cardinals defense will be a total rebuild, as the linebacking core will be the leaders with Parker Stearns and Zane Black returning. Stearns tallied 37.5 tackles, 2 TFL and a pick, as Black added 34.5 tackles and 2 TFL, as Carson Madsen will be one to watch join the second level. The defensive backfield will be brand new, as names to watch are Sam Katter, Jacob Grieman and Aydan Ganseveld. The defensive line is another area of rebuild, with athletes such as Gavin Braun and Kaden Kral appearing to be next up.
Central Springs
After a 3-0 start to 2024, the Panthers struggled in the last incarnation of District 3, but with many pieces from 2024 back, the second time around could be promising. The Panthers bring back quarterback Eddie Pruin, after throwing for 684 yards and 8 touchdowns, while leading rusher Jaxon Edwards returns after rushing for 711 yards and 7 touchdowns. Edwards is also joined by 200+ yard-rushers Bradyin Crum and Manny Gregorie. The Panthers return all of the receiving production, as Braydin Crum was the leading receiver in 2024 with 18 catches for 263 yards and 3 scores. The Panthers offensive line will all be back as well in 2025.
Defensively, nearly all of the Panthers production is back, as the linebacking core features leading tackler Jaxon Edwards, who tallied 65 tackles and 7.5 TFL, as Jace Huebsch, Lincoln Blickenderfer and Lucas Fiedler make up the rest of the unit. Braydin Crum was the leading tackler for the secondary with 55 stops while recording a team-high 4 interceptions, as the Panthers will look for a replacement for Avery Gregorie in the secondary. The defensive line returns all of their pieces, led by juniors Winton Hogen and Jakob Roegner.
Quinn’s Class 1A, District 2 Predictions
1. Grundy Center
2. South Hardin
3. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
4. Central Springs
5. Eagle Grove
6. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
Grundy Center is an easy choice as I’m expecting the Spartans to make it a 3-peat as Class 1A Champions, while South Hardin’s prolific connection of Peyton Welch and Sam Benson will still win them many ball games. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows will see a huge jump and could give the top 2 teams a good fight, while Central Springs overall returnees just edge out Eagle Grove for the final playoff spot (it could go either way between the Eagles and Panthers).