WEBSTER CITY, Ia. — A year after receiving the ominous title of the “District of Death”; Class 3A, District 1 looks to undergo some changes as to who will be the standouts and provides some uncertainty of who will emerge as the top dog or dogs in 2026.
Webster City
A 3-6 campaign in 2025 for the purple and gold that had many different opportunities to look a lot different against one of the toughest schedules in the entire state. The Lynx will look to lean on Kaleb Hansen out of the backfield, who rushed for over 550 yards and 4 scores last season, as Coyce Bertran looks to be the favorite to take over at spin back. The offensive line will be newer, led by junior Zack Lahr, with new faces such as John Wildwering and Peyton Weisberg.
Defensively, the Lynx will look to replace some key cogs, beginning on the defensive line as guys such as the aforementioned Lahr, Wildwering and Weisburg to step up. The linebacking core does return Grant Arends, who had a knack for big plays in 2025, with Boston Farley joining him the 2nd level. The defensive backfield will be relatively green, but optimism is high behind the return of Coyce Bertran, finished with 44 tackles and a pick last season.
Algona
2025 wound up being a season of “What if” for the Algona Bulldogs, who returned a ton of production off a quarterfinal team in 2024, only to miss the playoffs and finish last in District 1 in 2025. The Bulldogs do have a big leg up off the rip with the return of Nathan Manske, who racked up over 2,200 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns at quarterback in 2025. He will be breaking in a new receiving core, with their leading returner in Micah Kitzinger, who had 168 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cael Rotert and Brooks Kuhlmann are the two to watch take over the running back spot, while the offensive line is a veteran one with Will Limbaugh, Brody Shipler and Mason Ulrich.
Defensively, the defensive line will be the strength with the aforementioned Limbaugh, Shipler and Ulrich, who combined for over 100 total tackles in 2025. The linebacking core will need to break in a mostly new group, but do return Tayten Rummel and Cael Rotert. The defensive backfield brings back some pieces in Nathan Manske, as well as Caden Kuecker and Owen Moe.
Bishop Heelan
Heelan’s quest for their first state championship since 2013 came up just short in the 3A Title Game last fall with a 27-6 loss at the hands of the Nevada Cubs. 2026 looks like a year than Heelan will have to find key pieces quickly, with the departures of quarterback Noah Conley and 2-way star Kasen Thomas. Elijah Mielke looks next in line to take over at quarterback, as the running back spot is a battle between Riley Lowery and Jevon Burgin. The Crusaders do bring back production in the receiving room with leading receiver Grant Whitcomb back, along with Prince Weagbah and Johnathon Hope. The offensive line is a mixed bag, losing some veteran leaders, but returning seniors Max Aesoph and Nolan Muecke.
Defensively, the Crusaders have some solid pieces coming back, beginning with the aforementioned Aesoph and Muecke lead the defensive line. The linebacking core does need to fill some holes left by the likes of Kasen Thomas, Avery Favors, Zack Harpenau and Matt Meyer, but the defensive backfield will be a strong point with the returns of Jonathan Hope and Dylan Knapp.
Humboldt
Much like their rivals to the north on Highway 169, Humboldt’s season in 2025 fell well short of expectations in a season after they made their first state championship game since 2006. The Wildcats have some holes to fill, namely at quarterback and replacing Jackson Flaherty, who threw for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for over 350 more and 6 scores. It’ll be a battle between Cooper Theesfeld and Caden Fredin to take over the signal caller spot, but they’ll have help in the backfield with leading rusher Cash McIntire back. The receiving core looks to be headlined by Jaxson Kirchoff and tight end Dane Clark, while the offensive line has a lot of experience to try and replace, but have a headliner on the interior in Broedy Hendricks up front.
The defense has a lot more to try and replace, but have a strong linebacking core returning, led by senior Griffin Groat. The defensive line will have some strength back, as Broedy Hendricks has game-wrecking ability up front, along with Karter Simonson looking to build off a promising junior year. The defensive backfield will have a leader back as Nash Palmer looks to take the reigns of the Wildcat secondary.
MOC-Floyd Valley
The Dutchmen were unable to cash in on the potential in front of them in 2026, just missing the 3A Playoffs with a mark of 5-4. 2026 looks to be a rebuild for MOC-Floyd Valley, as replacing quarterback Carson Carmichael and running back Dylan Maasdam are at the top of the list. The quarterback spot looks to be a battle between sophomore Lucas Bundt and senior Trycen Groendyke, while Chase Carmichael looks to have the upperhand in taking over the tailback spot. The receiving core has a lot returning, led by juniors Henry Heller and Hudson Kleinhesselink, along with senior Albear Van Zee. The offensive line will have to replace an anchor in now-Kansas Jayhawk Draeden Punt at tackle, as well as a rather green rest of the line.
Defensively, the Dutchmen’s secondary has the most returning, bringing back the aforementioned Heller, Kleinhesselink and Van Zee, as the linebacking core looks to be headlined by the return of senior Burke Uhl and junior Chsse Carmichael. The defensive line will be a rebuild, with Parker Plathe and Aiden Gebhard two to watch as building blocks in the unit.
Sioux Center
Nearly a classic example of “worst to first”, the Sioux Center Warriors just missed out on a district title in 2025, but still managed to punch a ticket into the 3A playoffs after a 1-8 campaign in 2024. The Warriors bring back senior signal caller Ezra Hibma, who threw for nearly 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for nearly 500 yards and 7 scores. Hibma does return his favorite target in senior Braedon Perez-Hietbrink, but will need some new faces to step up out wide and at running back as well. The offensive line looks like a strength, with most of their unit back in 2026.
Defensively, Sioux Center has a little more to replace, namely in the linebacking core with the losses of Jake Lane, Cody Sandbulte and Jace Bradshaw. The defensive backfield does have some pieces back with the likes of Tate Swager and Ethan Bosma back, as the defensive line is looking like a “by-committee” type of unit in 2026.
Quinn’s Class 3A, District 1 Prediction
1. Sioux Center
2. Bishop Heelan
3. Webster City
4. Algona
5. Humboldt
6. MOC-Floyd Valley
Despite not having the top end talent that nearly every team in this district had last year, I still expect a scenario where every team in District 1 can beat anyone on any given Friday night. Sioux Center looks the part of a preseason district favorite on paper, as Bishop Heelan is a program that can easily reload despite their losses. Webster City sits 3 as a Lynx team that is on the unknown side can make them even more dangerous with their unique brand of football. Algona and Humboldt can flip between 4 and 5, but they could very easily still end up with winning records. MOC-Floyd Valley looks like the odd man out on paper coming into the season.