IHSAA postpones championship football games due to expected weather

Local teams have waited all season for their chance at a state title.

Now, they have to wait three more days.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced Thursday it will postponed the Class 4A, 2A and 1A football championships at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls until Monday, citing concerns about safe travel with Friday forecasts predicting six to eight inches across Eastern Iowa. The times will be the same and tickets for Friday's games will be honored Monday.

According to IHSAA sports information director and historian Bud Legg, this is the first postponement of the championship round since it began in 1972. The news was taken in stride when teams were informed Friday afternoon.

'It's the right thing to do,' said Iowa City Regina Coach Marv Cook, whose Regals (12-1) are going for a sixth consecutive state crown and face Western Christian (11-2) in the 2A final at 11:06 a.m. 'If there's any doubt as far as safety with travel for teams, fans and supporters then I think it's a great decision by the state. We just have to deal with it.'

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (13-0) reached its first championship game, facing two-time defending state champ West Des Moines Dowling (12-0) in the 4A title game at 7:06 p.m. The delay will be put to good use.

'That's good for us,' Kennedy Coach Brian White said. 'It gives us extra time to prepare. We'll take extra time to get ready to play a game anytime.'

The Regals had just finished a gamelike walk-through when they were informed. Cook said with a routine in place it will be easy to reset their preparation. They will pickup the midweek schedule before another walk-through on Sunday.

'You have to focus on what you can control,' Cook said to his team. 'We'll show up on Monday ready to go. We'll adapt.'

Kennedy, meanwhile, was in the middle of its walk-through when Athletic Director Aaron Stecker contacted White. They transitioned right into regular practice, adding 45 more minutes to the workout.

'You are 13 games into it right now, getting ready for the 14th,' White said. 'We're in good shape. I think the kids are all right with it.'

Mount Vernon (11-2) reached the 2A title game against Spirit Lake (13-0) at 2:06 p.m. Mount Vernon had canceled school Friday, so students and staff could attend the contest. The school district announced school will be held Friday and there will be no classes Monday.

'It's definitely different playing now on Monday,' Mustangs quarterback Drew Adams said. 'But we're looking at it in a positive way. It's a game with big stakes attached to it. A state championship game. We're going to keep our focus.'

There won't be any days off, but it does provide some extra time to run through game plans and to heal bumps and bruises.

'Some guys are nicked up at this point of the season,' Cook said. 'An extra day or two would be beneficial from that standpoint.'

Cook said Regina might have an issue Saturday, scheduling around the University of Iowa's final home football game against Purdue. White said a youth basketball tournament will force them to find an alternative place to practice this weekend.

White said his team has dealt with adversity and this isn't different.

'I don't think it's a distraction at all,' White said. 'I think the kids are dealing with it just fine.

'We're having fun this year. It's just another thing that these kids will look back on. They're enjoying the ride and we knew it was all coming to an end (today) anyway. We just extended our season. How fun is that? We get to play football for three more days.'

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