Now it’s time for the final team rankings as we dive into postseason play soon. It was a really testing week for the top ten who collectively ended up 37-19. Only two teams went undefeated across week seven including Lewis Central and Grinnell. Other than that, seven of the top ten recorded two losses or more on the week. Ultimately, the top-ten still managed to outscore their opponents, doing so by a 418-244. Here is how the top-ten shook out heading into another week of action.
1.) Lewis Central (6-0)
For the second straight week, the Titans went undefeated and did so by outscoring their opponents by a 72-6 margin. That marked the lowest amount of runs allowed out of any top-ten team for the week. They will head into the postseason as the top-ranked team in Class 3A’s substate group 8 and will take on Clarke to open up postseason action.
2.) Grinnell (5-0)
The Tigers allowed the second fewest runs across top ten teams last week with 13 as they cruised to another perfect week. Overall, Grinnell outscored their opponents by a 58-13 margin. The Tigers are the only team to breach 30 wins on the season entering the final week of regular season play. They will open up postseason play in substate group seven and will be the number one seed. They will open things up against eight-seeded Perry.
3.) Assumption (2-2)
A moderately busy week for Assumption and it was an even split as they split double-headers with 4A’s Pleasant Valley and North Scott. They still managed to outscore their opponents 30-22 overall. The Knights will also head into postseason action as a top seed, leading the substate 5 group. They will battle Washington for their postseason opener on Friday.
4.) Independence (6-2)
A big week of action for the Mustangs who ended up playing eight games, winning all but two. Independence had a rather strong scoring week, posting up 56 runs total. The week included a sweep over Beckman Catholic and Davenport West. They will reside in 3A’s substate 6 for their postseason path. That includes the likes of North Polk and top-seeded Xavier. Their action will kick off with a battle as the number two seed up against seventh seeded Nevada.
5.) Wahlert Catholic (3-3)
Despite the three losses, the Golden Eagles managed to outscore opponents 34-17. Their losses came against top-ten ranked Xavier and Western Dubuque as well as 4A’s Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Still one of the more prolific offenses and overall defenses there are in Class 3A. With experience to boot, the Golden Eagles remain in the top ten. Their postseason path includes a number one seed in the substate group 4. They will open things up against Vinton-Shellsburg.
6.) Xavier (2-2)
One of the tougher weeks for the Saints, then again, it’d be a tough week for anyone. Overall, the Saints went 2-2 with a more defensive tone to the week. Xavier scored just 19 runs through the four games played while limiting opponents to just 13 runs. The slate included fellow top-ten squads in Wahlert and Western Dubuque in double-header action. For the postseason outlook, the Saints hail as the top seed in 3A’s substate six bracket and will battle Iowa Fall-Alden in the postseason opener.
7.) Western Dubuque (2-4)
The roughest week by far for the Bobcats as they suffered four losses and outscored by 22 runs. It came against another tough slate as Western Dubuque took on Kennedy, Wahlert, and Xavier. They suffered their first double-header sweep against Kennedy. Overall, the Bobcats still sit as one of the top power offenses in Class 3A, keeping them in overall good standing for the postseason push. They will begin postseason at home as they host Crestwood from Farley Park on Friday.
8.) Marion (3-2)
The defending champs certainly had a rough week to start as they dropped the double-header with West Delaware by being outscored 21-5. Since then they rattled off three straight wins including a double-header sweep over Solon to round out the week’s action. For their postseason outlook, they will reside as a number two seed in the substate taking on Mount Pleasant.
9.) Bishop Heelan (5-1)
Outscoring their opponents 54-19, the Crusaders had another strong week ahead of postseason play. They did suffer a loss to Class 4A’s Sioux City West but they did produce two double-header sweeps prior to that. This is an offense still operating at a high level (as well as defensively) ranking top-five in stolen bases (125), overall hits (329), singles (239), and doubles (68). For their postseason run, they will reside in the substate one group as the number two seed, battling Boyden-Hull Rock Valley.
10.) West Delaware (7-0)
With such a strong week last week, it was hard to keep West Delaware away from the top ten rankings. The Hawks completed three double-header sweeps plus a single-game victory, giving them seven victories heading into the final week of the regular season. The big highlight of that came against the defending champs in Marion to begin the big week. The Hawks will look to continue that momentum as they dive into the substate four group as the three seed. They will battle Mount Vernon to kick off their postseason push.
HM: North Polk, MOC-Floyd Valley, Clear Creek Amana, Sergeant-Bluff Luton