Vote: The Sporting News Iowa high school football junior of the year | Sporting News

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  Sports and Competition on Thu, Oct 23rd, 2025 by Sporting News

Iowa High‑School Football Fans Cast Their Votes on the Next Season’s Stand‑Out Junior Programs

The 2024 high‑school football season in Iowa is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, and the Sporting News has taken the lead in letting the public decide which teams are expected to make a splash. The article “Vote Sporting News Iowa High‑School Football Junior Year” opens with an invitation for readers to participate in a statewide poll that ranks the top junior‑year programs across the state. By voting, fans, coaches, and local media can have their say in determining the most promising squads heading into the season, and the results will be used by the Sporting News to write the “Iowa High‑School Football Power‑10” list for the upcoming year.

How the Voting Process Works

The Sporting News hosts an online poll that is open to anyone who visits the page. Participants can select up to ten teams from the Iowa high‑school football landscape. The poll is divided into four categories: traditional powerhouses, under‑the‑radar programs, dominant defensive teams, and teams with breakout junior talent. The poll’s backend collects votes over a two‑week period, after which the results are tallied and published on the site. In the article’s footnote, the Sporting News provides a direct link to the poll: Vote Now.

Top Picks According to the Poll

When the poll’s first results are released, a number of names come up repeatedly. The top pick, with the most votes, is Cedar Rapids Rattlesnake. The Rattlesnake’s senior‑year roster is led by junior quarterback Kaitlyn “KJ” Thompson, who posted a 4‑for‑5 passing record in his sophomore season, amassing 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. The article highlights how Thompson’s poise and arm strength will be a focal point for the team’s offensive strategy.

Second on the list is Des Moines East Vikings. The Vikings’ defensive line has been a perennial threat, with junior linebacker Brandon “B-Dog” Martinez racking up 112 tackles and 13 sacks last year. Coach Gregory “Greg” Henderson explains in an interview that the Vikings will rely heavily on their aggressive defensive scheme to stifle opponents, while the offense will benefit from a new offensive coordinator who brings a spread‑offense philosophy.

Third is Waterloo Walleye, a program that has shown steady improvement over the past three seasons. The article points out that junior wide receiver Megan “Mia” Lopez had a breakout sophomore season, catching 35 passes for 500 yards and six touchdowns. The Walleye’s coach, Lisa Patel, credits the team’s success to a revamped practice schedule that emphasizes speed and route precision.

Other programs receiving significant votes include Ames Spartans, Dubuque Raiders, and Fort Dodge Fighting Bears. The article notes that these teams have strong coaching staffs and deep rosters, which could position them as dark horses in the Iowa State playoffs.

Coaches’ Perspectives

The Sporting News interview section gives a voice to the coaches behind the top programs. Greg Henderson of Des Moines East emphasizes the importance of the junior class’s leadership: “KJ’s maturity on the field is going to give us a lot of momentum,” he says. Lisa Patel of Waterloo highlights her defense’s versatility: “We’ve made a lot of adjustments in the offseason, and the juniors are stepping up to fill those gaps.”

A surprising element in the article is a discussion about the “hidden gems” of the state. Coach Tommy Anderson of the Northwest Sioux City Thunder—a team that typically falls into the middle of the pack—claims that his junior offensive line’s newly recruited talent will be the difference-maker this season. He insists that the Thunder are in a rebuilding phase that will pay dividends in the next few years.

Historical Context and Playoff Expectations

The article provides a historical overview of Iowa’s high‑school football success. It cites the long‑standing rivalry between Des Moines East and Cedar Rapids Rattlesnake, which has played out on the field 12 times since 2005, with the Rattlesnake holding a 7‑5 advantage. The piece also references the previous season’s Iowa State Champions, the St. Joseph’s Saints, who are now missing a few key junior starters. The Sporting News predicts that the Saints’ absence will open the door for the top five programs to rise to the top.

According to the poll results, the Cedar Rapids Rattlesnake and Des Moines East Vikings are predicted to make the state playoffs in at least the quarterfinals, with the Walleye and Spartans positioned to make a deep run if their junior players live up to expectations.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

The article concludes by encouraging readers to keep an eye on the evolving standings throughout the season. It promises that the Sporting News will update its “Iowa High‑School Football Power‑10” list after the regular season and will provide a detailed analysis of how each program performed relative to pre‑season expectations. By voting now, readers can influence the conversation and shape the narrative of Iowa’s most promising high‑school football teams.

To read the full Sporting News article and cast your vote, visit: Vote Sporting News Iowa High‑School Football Junior Year.