The Xavier Saints will enter the 2014 season as the No.1 team in the Class 3A football rankings, according to the Des Moines Register poll.

Xavier reached the championship game of the Class 4A playoffs in 2012 and 2013 before dropping to Class 3A this season with the advent of district football for all teams.

Dowling Catholic, which defeated Xavier in the 4A championship game last November, was voted the No.1 team in 4A to begin the season. Dowling and Xavier will meet in the opening game of the season next Friday night in West Des Moines.

Cedar Rapids Washington, coming off a 6-4 campaign and a playoff appearance, is ranked No.3 in the Class 4A preseason poll.

The other top-ranked teams in the Register poll are Clear Lake in Class 2A, Iowa City Regina in Class 1A, Maquoketa Valley in Class A and Fremont-Mills in 8-Player.

CLASS 4A PRESEASON POLL

1. Dowling Catholic, 2. Waukee, 3. Cedar Rapids Washington, 4. West Des Moines Valley, 5. Bettendorf, 6. Cedar Falls, 7. Ames, 8. Southeast Polk, 9. Pleasant Valley, 10. Dubuque Hempstead.

CLASS 3A PRESEASON POLL

1. Xavier, 2. Davenport Assumption, 3. Pella, 4. West Delaware, 5. Sioux City Heelan, 6. Harlan, 7. Decorah, 8. Waverly-Shell Rock, 9. Gilbert, 10. Washington (Iowa).