Union Knights Football Team

By Cheyne Reiter

With just two weeks remaining in the season and some teams fighting for their playoff lives, let's take a look at possible playoff matchups as 3A District 5 goes head-to-head with 3A District 6.

Current Standings

3A D5 Overall Record (District Record), Point Differential Average

1. Maquoketa, 6-1 (5-0), +13
2. Western Dubuque, Epworth, 5-2 (4-1), +6.6
3. Union, La Porte City, 5-2 (3-2), +3.8
4. Central Clinton, DeWitt, 3-4 (3-2), +1.2
5. Marion, 4-3 (2-3), +0.4
6. Center Point-Urbana, 2-5 (2-3), -6.6
7. Vinton-Shellsburg, 3-4 (1-4), -5.4
8. Anamosa, 2-5 (0-5), -13

3A D6
1. Solon, 6-1 (5-0), +13
2. Grinnell, 6-1 (5-0), +11.6
3. Washington, 4-3 (3-2), +5.2
4. Williamsburg, 5-2 (3-2), +3.8
5. Benton, Van Horne, 2-5 (2-3), -7
6. South Tama, 2-5 (1-4), -6.8
7. Mount Vernon, 1-6 (1-4), -8.8
8. Clear Creek-Amana, 0-7 (0-5), -13

Taking a look at D5's remaining schedule, I see Maquoketa running the table at a perfect 7-0. While nothing is certain, Union and DeWitt both are presented favorable matchups and if they both win out, could finish in a 3-way tie with Western Dubuque for second place. Tiebreakers would be in place and each team went 1-1 against each other, thus going to the next tiebreaker of point differential average.

Looking at D6's remaining schedule, the last two weeks of the regular season will be very telling. Benton Community, who currently sits in 5th place, has very favorable matchups in South Tama and Mount Vernon. Meanwhile, Washington travels to Solon and then Williamsburg, two football-rich communities with plenty of tradition. To determine the 3A D6 title, barring any upsets, Solon will travel to Grinnell to finish the regular season.

3A D5 Projected Top 4

1. Maquoketa
2. Union, La Porte City
3. Central Clinton-DeWitt
4. Western Dubuque, Epworth

3A D6 Projected Top 4

1. Solon
2. Grinnell
3. Williamsburg
4. Benton, Van Horne

In this scenario, the Union Knights would host Williamsburg. With a win, Union would possibly get a shot at the defending 3A state champions in Solon if the Spartans take care of Western Dubuque, Epworth.

Remember, these are only projections; these standings are not set in stone just yet. With two weeks remaining, it'll be exciting to watch how things shake out...stay tuned.