With the 2026 Iowa high school football season just around the corner, the Tribune is ranking the seven IHSAA football teams in the Ames area.
It will be an exciting year, with Nevada looking to defend its Class 3A state championship, Roland-Story returning elite talent in Class 2A with Luke Thoreson, Chance Georgius, Colin Willis, Fiston Carlson and Aiden Frey back. Class 4A qualifier Gilbert is bringing back UNI commit Trent Wesselmann.
Roland-Story will open the season as the No. 1 team in the area as the Norsemen bring back a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, giving them the potential to make it to the UNI-Dome in November.
Here’s a look at our full preseason rankings of the seven Iowa high school football teams in the Tribune’s coverage area.
IHSAA football rankings in Ames area
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ranking every Iowa high school football team in Ames area for 2026
Reporting by Joe Randleman, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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By Joe Randleman, Ames Tribune | USA TODAY Network
