2025 Boys Substate Preview

Sixteen substate regionals get going tomorrow in what is the beginning of the road in a quest for a team championship. This is the second year now of this team format where all teams have a shot at making the state tournament. Some regionals will be exciting, some will be a lot of chalk. Below, I dive into each substate for a few tidbits.

Fans can follow along with the bracket version of the substates and see results as soon as the scores are reported/posted.

Postseason HQ

2A Team Substates

State Quarterfinal Qualifier Predictions

#1 Waukee NW

#2 Prairie

#3 Iowa City West

#4 Pleasant Valley

#5 Johnston

#6 CR Washington

#7 Linn-Mar

#10 Dowling

Substate 1:

The heavy favorite Wolves of Waukee NW will take care of business in their title defense.

Substate 2:

The substate pending final matchup of #5 Johnston and Iowa City High could be very close. The Little Hawks boast two of the top players in the state, who both just reached the singles state tournament this past Wednesday. The Dragons have a strong freshman duo of their own at the top as well. This meet is going to be won at the 3-6 spots, where I think Johnston has just a little too much for City to overcome.

Substate 3:

A lackluster season for both Dowling and Valley who were top 8 hopefuls when the season began. Both have golden opportunities to be the one that makes it out of this substate and gets a coveted state tournament berth. Buckle up for a close one between these two, and I give the edge to the Maroons.

Substate 4:

A potential showdown between #7 Linn-Mar and #9 Marshalltown. The Lions will have the upper hand towards the top of the lineup, or they are expected to at least. They have fallen out of the top 5 for the first time in what seems like a number of years with the success they have had this past decade. Marshalltown has had a strong season, they did suffer a not expected loss to Ames at the end of the regular season, so they will be looking to bounce back strong and get back to the state tournament for the first time since 2023.

Substate 5:

Like the previously mentioned substate, a pending top 10 matchup between #6 CR Washington and #8 Ames. The Warriors have had a stronger year than many expected them to have, including myself. They just qualified two doubles pairs to the state tournament, and are seeking their 20th trip to the tournament. Ames has had a little bit of an up and down season, early on losing a close one to Valley, but then finishing strong taking out Marshalltown leading into postseason play. I got the more battle tested Warriors making it out of this one.

Substate 6:

Prairie has never made the team state tournament. In a season of first's for Coach Eric Modracek's squad, they are looking to build off their first MVC title and take that next step in making the team state tournament. A great path ahead for them to do so.

Substate 7:

Iowa City West should advance to their 14th consecutive state tournament with little trouble.

Substate 8:

Pleasant Valley sheds off Bettendorf once again to reach state.

1A Team Substates

State Quarterfinals Predictions:

#1 Xavier

#2 SBL

#3 Wahlert

#4 Decorah

#5 WSR

#6 Ballard

#8 Boone

#9 Pella

Substate 1:

#2 SBL makes it through to their second state tourament berth in program history. Another rematch with Bishop Heelan awaits.

Substate 2:

Still like Boone here even with the troubles they have been having down the stretch. No. 1 player Owen Schneider is done for the rest of the season due to injury, and that is a big loss for the Toreadors. Luckily for them, they have a favorable substate region where they will most likely see Shenandoah, a fringe top 10 team this year, in the substate final.

Substate 3:

#6 Ballard moves efficiently through their substate and back to the team tournament.

Substate 4:

Decorah has stayed steady all year and finished the regular season with a great win over WSR, a top four team at the time. They are in a great position as they typically are in their path to state. The biggest threat would have is Columbus and if Parker Stroh and company. The Vikings have too much depth and should breeze to a state big in 2025.

Substate 5:

A shaky finish to the regular season for WSR taking a loss to a red hot Decorah team. The Go-Hawks are the big favorites to get the state big in substate 5 here still however. Not enough depth from the other teams this time around to push them.

Substate 6:

#3 Wahlert moves through to state once again. #7 Central DeWitt gets absolutely screwed by the state for the second year in a row. CD is a top 8 team, outside of the top 3 in 1A, hardly any others are competition as well as they do in the 2A dominated MAC. The Sabers advanced a doubles pair and top player Froeschle to the individual state tournament, their first qualifiers in program history this week.

Substate 7:

Top ranked Xavier rolls through substate 7 in their pursuit of a team crown once again.

Substate 8:

Pella and Fairfield are bound to meeting in the substate 8 final. Both of these teams benefitted greatly from the state's assignments this postseason. This is where Central DeWitt should be and let these 3 team battle it out for the state berth. The Dutch I think get through as they have played the better SOS than Fairfield, even though the Trojans have top five player in Ruimin Luo.