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Here's some history for you.

Since 2010, a member of the Central Iowa Metro League (as it is formed in 2024) has won all of Iowa's largest-class IHSAA football titles. The last team from outside the current nine-team CIML to win a state title was Iowa City High in 2009 when the Little Hawks won the Class 4A title. Only four times since 2000 has a team not named Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines Valley, Ankeny or Southeast Polk won the largest class in Iowa high school football.

In short, the CIML and its teams have been dominant for most of the 21st century.

"It's some of the best football around, is all these suburban teams in central Iowa," Waukee Northwest coach Corey Kopatich said. "Everybody's really good. To be able to compete with those teams, you got to have a great offseason. You have to have a great strength program because all these teams have great athletes. They're big, they're physical. Every Friday night when you're playing with those teams, it's going to come down to the wire."

The Register took a shot at ranking the nine teams in the conference ahead of the football season after observing practices, speaking with fellow coaches and taking stock of what returns to each roster.

The Hawks were a state finalist a year ago before falling to Southeast Polk, but so much of that Ankeny team returns.

Starting quarterback Luke Anderson is back, along with running backs Daniel Larmie and Caden Henkes, both of whom ran for 1,000 yards Anderson will have Evan Irlmeier to throw to at wide receiver after recording more than 700 receiving yards a season ago in the slot. While Devon Akers is off to Northern Illinois for college, Irlmeier should be a steady threat along with a dynamic duo at running back.

On defense, losing linebacker Connor Kayser is huge. However, Samuel Sandvig, Kinnick Vos and Andrew Haase all return as key contributors from last year's team.

This team last year made big play after big play to win games, like its walk-off overtime win over rival Ankeny Centennial. If those same guys keep making the big plays, this team is going to be a hard out.

ANKENY – High school football practices kicked off on Monday. In Ankeny the Hawks are coming off a 9 win season that saw them make a run all the way to the 5A championship game.

Ankeny lost to SE Polk for the championship, but that season showed the Hawks they’re capable of winning it all and gives them even more confidence heading in to 2024.