116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa high school football playoffs 2024: Previewing Friday’s area quarterfinal games
Winners advance to state semifinals at the UNI-Dome
Nov. 7, 2024 3:59 pm
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The following are Gazette-area capsules for Friday’s Iowa high school football state quarterfinal games.
Ankeny at Iowa City Liberty (Class 5A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at North Liberty
Records and rankings: No. 8 Ankeny is 6-4; No. 5 Liberty is 9-1.
Overview: Liberty has tied a school record in victories and is looking for its first semifinal appearance. The Lightning advanced with a 31-14 win over Waukee and topped Ankeny, 28-20, on Oct. 11, which is the Hawks’ last loss. In the previous meeting, Liberty quarterback Reece Rettig passed for 234 yards, including 140 and a touchdown to Sutton Koller. Owen Drapeaux rushed for 102 yards and two TDs in that contest and has 800 yards and 14 TDs this season to lead the Lightning rush attack. Rettig is tied for second in 5A with 28 passing TDs and third in yards with 2,315.
Ankeny stopped Linn-Mar, 47-21, in the first round. Ankeny has a fairly balanced offense, throwing for 1,696 yards and rushing for 1,996. Daniel Larmie has rushed for 1,147 yards and 11 TDs. Ankeny’s defense has 24 sacks and 68 tackles for loss. The Hawks’ LaMarious Clark is tied for second in 5A with five interceptions, returning two for scores.
Iowa City West at Southeast Polk (Class 5A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Runnells
Records and rankings: Both teams are 6-4. Southeast Polk is ranked No. 9.
Overview: On paper, both teams recorded first-round upsets. The Trojans beat No. 6 Bettendorf, 21-16, to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2020. A win will be the first semifinal appearance for West since the second of back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2017.
Southeast Polk is the only team to win a 5A state title, winning the last three since the largest class was changed. The Rams beat No. 7 Pleasant Valley, 24-21, last week.
West QB Jack Wallace leads the state in passing yards (2,658), passing TDs (32), offensive yards (3,038) and total TDs (40). Julian Manson caught three TDs against the Bulldogs and is tied for the 5A lead with 13 TD receptions.
Southeast Polk has a potent passing combo in QB Holden Hansen and receiver Sam Zelenovich. Hansen has passed for 1,844 yards and 15 TDs, connecting with Zelenovich 61 times for 779 yards and six scores.
Cedar Rapids Xavier at North Polk (Class 4A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Alleman
Records and rankings: No. 9 Xavier is 7-3; No. 1 North Polk is 10-0.
Overview: This is a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal — a 17-14 victory for North Polk. The Saints advanced with a 35-14 trouncing of Norwalk. Cash Parks and Carter Hoffmann were a strong 1-2 punch against the Warriors. Hoffmann rushed for 170 yards and a TD, while Parks passed for 149 yards and three TDs, adding 27 rushing yards with a score.
The battle will be up front between North Polk’s offensive line and Xavier’s defense. The Comets have rushed for 2,910 yards as a team, averaging 7.3 per carry. North Polk QB Nathan Feldmann has rushed for 1,489 yards and 21 TDs with 758 and eight passing.
North Scott at Decorah (Class 4A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Decorah
Records and rankings: No. 7 North Scott is 8-2; No. 2 Decorah is 10-0.
Overview: The Vikings won a 15-14 thriller over Newton to reach the quarterfinals. Decorah scored a late TD followed by a successful conversion pass to advance. The programs have split two meetings since 2021 with North Scott winning last season.
This game features two of the top 4A defenses in points allowed. The Lancers are first, giving up 11.4 points per game. The Vikings are second at 11.9. Decorah has forced 23 turnovers, including 13 interceptions. Linebacker Gatlin Dahlberg leads the Vikings with 60.5 tackles and has four fumble recoveries with two interceptions. Decorah will have to stop North Scott QB Chase Smith, who has passed for 1,901 yards and 25 TDs and compiled 275 yards and three scores on the ground.
Mount Vernon at Algona (Class 3A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Algona
Records and rankings: Both teams are 9-1. Mount Vernon is ranked No. 4; Algona is ranked No. 6.
Overview: Mount Vernon is coming off a 42-6 throttling of Carroll. The Mustangs’ Kellen Haverback has held the offensive reins, totaling 1,842 yards and 21 TDs. He has rushed for 10 more scores. Jase Jaspers has been a key playmaker, catching 51 passes for 818 yards and eight TDs. Cooper Hird is Mount Vernon’s leading rusher with 685 yards and 13 TDs. Mount Vernon’s defense has wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, tallying 58 sacks and 115 tackles for loss. The Mustangs also have forced 22 total turnovers.
Algona is without starting QB Alex Manske, but Nathan Manske has filled in well. He threw for 196 yards and three TDs in a 49-6 first-round win over traditional power Harlan. The Bulldogs average 362.8 yards and 38.1 points per game.
Solon at Humboldt (Class 3A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Humboldt
Records and rankings: No. 9 Solon is 8-2; No. 3 Humboldt is 9-1.
Overview: The Spartans exacted some revenge against Benton Community last week, avenging a regular-season loss with a 34-27 first-round victory. Solon is looking for its second straight semifinal appearance. The Spartans’ Eddie Johnson has 1,428 offensive yards and 21 TDs, including 121 and three in the first round against the Bobcats. Ty Bell has passed for 1,694 yards and 19 TDs, hitting Maddox Kelley for 660 yards and seven TDs. Kyler Jensen leads Solon with 51 tackles, amassing eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Humboldt’s Coen Maston has passed for 1,973 yards and 21 TDs.
Independence at Dubuque Wahlert (Class 3A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Loras College
Records and rankings: No. 8 Independence is 8-2; No. 1 Wahlert is 10-0.
Overview: The Mustangs scored the final 21 points for a 21-14 first-round win, dethroning reigning state champion Williamsburg. Independence earned a rematch with the Golden Eagles, who won, 17-10, on Oct. 4. Mustangs QB E.J. Miller has torched foes for 2,011 yards and 22 TDs. He also has 521 yards and seven scores on the ground. Receiver Brady Kurt is second in 3A with 1,040 yards and is tied with Ezekiel Symonds, leading Indee with 10 TD catches. Tate Wood has been a defensive stalwart for the Mustangs, tallying 110 total tackles, 94 solo and 10.5 for a loss.
Wahlert leads 3A, surrendering just 7.3 points per game. The Golden Eagles have won 11 straight games, which ranks fourth among current streaks.
Anamosa at Van Meter (Class 2A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Van Meter
Records and rankings: Both teams are 9-1. Anamosa is ranked No. 9; Van Meter is ranked No. 4.
Overview: Anamosa has reached its second quarterfinal after a 48-20 triumph over West Burlington/Notre Dame. The Blue Raiders are still looking for their first semifinal trip.
Both teams rank among the top offensive teams in 2A. Van Meter is third at 40.7 points per game with Anamosa right behind at 38.6. Both are ranked in the top five in total touchdowns and all-purpose yards. Anamosa QB Vince Diers is third in 2A with 1,848 yards and 26 TDs. Teammate Austin Scranton is third in 2A with 1,555 yards and tied for fourth with 18 TDs on the ground. Van Meter’s Jay Haley has more than 1,800 offensive yards and 20 TDs.
North Fayette Valley at Spirit Lake (Class 2A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Spirit Lake
Records and rankings: Both teams are 9-1. NFV is ranked No. 6; Spirit Lake is ranked No. 3.
Overview: The TigerHawks have won nine in a row, rolling after a season-opening loss to 3A quarterfinalist Independence. NFV handled Crestwood, 28-6, in the second round. Decklyn Heins ranks fifth among the top-rated 2A passers, coming in at 174.1. He has passed for 1,525 yards and 16 TDs, including 912 and 10 to standout tight end Cael Reichter. Lincoln Aeschliman adds 973 yards and 17 TDs rushing.
Spirit Lake boasts the second-most productive 2A offense, scoring 43.7 points per game. The defense only allows 12.3 points. Spirit Lake QB Caden Lundt has passed for 1,943 yards and 30 TDs.
Mid-Prairie at Monroe PCM (Class 2A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Monroe
Records and rankings: No. 10 Mid-Prairie is 7-3; No. 2 PCM is 10-0.
Overview: The Golden Hawks are making their fifth quarterfinal appearance but still looking for the program’s first semifinal berth. They have overcome a slow start with a seven-game winning streak. Mid-Prairie beat Mediapolis, 35-14, last week. Mid-Prairie averages 31.9 points per game and is paced by running back Hudson Ehrenfelt, who has rushed for 1,315 yards and 26 TDs. Brady Weber has passed for 1,610 yards and 11 scores for the Golden Hawks, who own a 2-1 series lead against PCM.
Adrien Robbins leads the Mustangs with 1,807 rushing yards and 21 TDs. PCM QB Gavin VanGorp has contributed 39 TDs and the defense allows just 8.2 points per game.
Wilton at Iowa City Regina (Class 1A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Iowa City
Records and rankings: Both teams are 9-1. Regina is ranked No. 8; Wilton is ranked No. 7.
Overview: Regina has dominated the series with Wilton, winning 14 straight dating back to 2008. The Regals beat the Beavers, 20-8, in Week 8. The rematch is for a state semifinal berth.
Savion Miller leads Regina rushers with 897 yards and eight TDs, including 143 and a score in the regular-season meeting. First-year starting QB Kyle Tracy amassed 269 yards and two TDs in the first meeting and has passed for 1,719 and 18, adding 650 and eight on the ground.
Wilton is paced by QB Drew Keith (130-216, 1,643 yards, 20 TDs) and running back Owen Hassell (193-1,080, 20 TDs). Wilton has never reached the semifinals and was eliminated by Regina in the second round last year.
Madrid at Lisbon (Class A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Lisbon
Records and rankings: No. 10 Madrid is 8-2; No. 4 Lisbon is 10-0.
Overview: The Lions are on the verge of their first semifinal appearance since winning the 2011 state title. Lisbon is a balanced team with an explosive offense and stifling defense. Lisbon leads Class A in points per game (45.7) and points allowed (4.6).
Madrid counters by giving up just 7.6 a contest. Lisbon has rushed for a whopping 2,555 yards, including 1,678 and 29 TDs from Tiernan Boots. QB Dakota Clark has over 1,600 offensive yards and 25 TDs for the Lions. Preston Wicker leads Madrid with 1,538 rushing yards and 910 passing yards with 35 TDs.
Maquoketa Valley at Saint Ansgar (Class A)
When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Saint Ansgar
Records and rankings: Both are 9-1. Maquoketa Valley is ranked No. 7; Saint Ansgar is ranked No. 3.
Overview: The Wildcats are playing in their sixth quarterfinal but a win over Saint Ansgar would be the school’s first trip to the UNI-Dome. Maquoketa Valley has won nine straight and averages a 35-point margin of victory. The Wildcats physical defense gives up just 5.8 points per game. Brady Wall has posted 2,147 passing and rushing yards, throwing for 1,723 and 17 TDs for Maquoketa Valley. He also has 11 TDs on the ground. Rogan Heidt has rushed for 1,486 and 24 TDs for the Wildcats.
Saint Ansgar relies on its ground game, rushing the ball almost four times more than passing. The Saints have rushed for 2,930 yards, including 1,095 and 15 TDs from Korben Michels.
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters