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Iowa high school football playoff semifinals: A look at Thursday’s games
Cedar Rapids Xavier and Newton play in Class 4A, the finale of a four-game day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls
Nov. 12, 2025 3:55 pm, Updated: Nov. 12, 2025 4:32 pm
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Here’s a look at Thursday’s Iowa High School Athletic Association playoff semifinal schedule at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, including an in-depth look at a Class 4A semi between Cedar Rapids Xavier and Newton.
Cedar Rapids Xavier vs. Newton
What, when and where: Class 4A semifinals, 7 p.m, UNI-Dome.
Records and rankings: No. 1 Xavier is 11-0. No. 4 Newton is 10-1.
Overview: Xavier leads 4A in scoring (42.1 points per game) and is second in defensive scoring average (10.2). The Saints’ closest game was in Week 2 of the regular season, a 21-13 win over Western Dubuque. Since then, their closest game has been 21 points against Waverly-Shell Rock, a team they beat in the first round of the playoffs, 47-0. Xavier beat No. 6 Adel-DeSoto-Minburn in last week’s quarterfinals, 45-7 … Newton is second in 4A in scoring at 39.9 points per game. The Cardinals lost in Week 2 to North Polk, 16-13. They handed unbeaten and second-ranked Gilbert a 42-14 loss in the quarterfinals. Newton beat No. 9 Fort Dodge in the first round, 51-7 … Junior quarterback Cash Parks has completed 102 of 133 passes this season (76.7 percent) for 1,921 yards and 26 touchdowns, to just one interception for Xavier. He also has eight rushing TDs and another receiving. Senior Carter Hoffmann is the Saints’ top running back, with 1,013 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. Senior Ryan Kelly has a team-best 39 receptions for 659 yards and nine TDs … Quarterback Caden Klein has 1,700 yards passing and 20 TDs for Newton, adding 769 yards rushing and 19 more scores. Running back Isaiah Hansen has 1,271 yards rushing and 18 TDs. Finn Martin has 1,078 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns … Xavier lost in the 4A quarterfinals the previous two years, including 35-14 last season. The Saints won the 4A championship in 2022 and have three titles overall. Newton lost in the first round last season to Decorah, 15-14. This is the fourth straight playoff appearance for the school after a 10-year drought. It won the Class 4A (biggest school) championship in 1980.
Other Games Thursday
Class A Semifinals– No. 1 Saint Ansgar (11-0) vs. No. 6 Wapsie Valley (11-0), 10 a.m.
Class A Semifinals– No. 4 Marcus MMCRU (11-0) vs. No. 8 West Sioux (10-1), 1 p.m.
Class 4A Semifinals– No. 3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (10-1) vs. No. 5 Pella (10-1), 4 p.m.
Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
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