Enrollment shifts have allowed a convergence of stars to align in Class 2A.

There’s Mount Vernon, which dropped a class after earning 3A runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008.

There’s Wapsie Valley, which bumped up a class after winning 1A crowns in 2006 and 2007.

And of course, there’s Western Christian, which owns seven of the last eight 2A titles. And there’s Dike-New Hartford, which has played second fiddle to the Wolfpack the past two years.

Put it all together, and you have a marvelous field. Question is, who will navigate it for three victories and a championship?

Since it was announced that Mount Vernon was moving down, a title showdown between the Mustangs and Western seemed to be in the cards.

Don’t be fooled by Western’s 37-9 record; six of their losses came to 3A power Sioux City Heelan. Mount Vernon split two matches with 4A contender Iowa City West.

Both teams are junior-dominated, so this could happen again in 2010.

PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Western Christian over IKM-Manning in 3; Dike-New Hartford over Sheldon in 4; Wapsie Valley over Camanche in 4; Mount Vernon over Pella Christian in 3.

Semifinals

Western Christian over Dike-New Hartford in 4; Mount Vernon over Wapsie Valley in 3.

Championship

Mount Vernon over Western Christian in 5.