Iowa high school state football championships: A look at the matchups and schedule

A look at the 2022 Iowa high school state football championship games, scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Thursday

8-Player: No. 2 WACO (13-0) vs. No. 1 Remsen St. Mary’s (12-0), 9:30 a.m.

Class A: No. 2 Grundy Center (12-0) vs. No. 1 West Hancock (12-0), 1 p.m.

Class 4A: No. 3 Cedar Rapids Xavier (12-0) vs. No. 1 Council Bluffs Lewis Central (12-0), 7 p.m.

Overview: The Saints are making their seventh state finals appearance and second straight. Xavier has won a 4A title in 2006 and 3A crowns in 2017 and 2018. The championship game is a rematch of last year’s title contest won by the Titans in triple-overtime, 32-24. Both teams have dominated opponents this season. Xavier owns a 33.1-point advantage per game, while Lewis Central has won by an average of 30. Defense has been the calling card for the Saints, who have allowed just 5.4 points per game. The Titans present the toughest test of the season, scoring at a 46.2 clip.

Ronan Thomas powered Xavier with 249 yards passing, including a 90-yard scoring strike to Grayson Hartman in a 38-10 semifinal romp of No. 7 North Scott, completing 8 of 10 attempts. Senior Michael Cunningham rushed for 96 yards, giving him 1,428 yards this season. Aidan McDermott had two interceptions for his fifth of the year. Lewis Central’s Braylon Kammrad ranks first in 4A with 43 TDs, including 32 passing. His 2,521 is second in 4A, throwing for 285 yards and three scores in a 42-21 win over No. 5 Carlisle last week. Curtis Witte leads the Titans with 933 yards, while teammate Jonathan Humpal is second in 4A with 1,647 all-purpose yards.

Friday

Class 2A: No. 2 Williamsburg (12-0) vs. No. 1 Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (12-0), 10 a.m.

Overview: The Raiders advanced to their third state title game and first since a runner-up finish to Waukon in 2017. Williamsburg, a runner-up in 2002, is still in search of its first championship. All three have been under Coach Curt Ritchie, who has 219 career victories in 29 total seasons with the Raiders and North English. The Raiders’ defense has been exceptional, holding opponents to 157 offensive yards per game, giving up 100 yards passing to just three teams. Williamsburg has forced 39 turnovers, including one in a 31-7 semifinal win over Dubuque Wahlert. The Raiders average 343.2 yards and 48.9 points per game. Quarterback Carson Huedepohl leads the way with 2,043 offensive yards and 34 TDs, hitting receiver Derek Weisskopf 37 times for 628 yards and 12 scores. The pair hooked up nine times for 177 yards and two scores against the Golden Eagles.

Central Lyon-GLR’s Zach Lutmer ranks among the 2A leaders in TDs (37), rushing TDs (22) and rushing yards (1,422). He rushed for 269 yards and three TDs, adding 98 yards and one TD through the air in a 37-14 semifinal triumph over Ida Grove OABCIG. Central Lyon-GLR makes its eighth finals appearance and second in three seasons. The Lions won their only title in 2006.

Class 3A: No. 2 Mount Vernon (12-0) vs. No. 1 Harlan (11-1), 1 p.m.

Overview: The Mustangs return to the state finals for the 10th time and first time since a runner-up finish in 2015. Mount Vernon has been a pleasant surprise this season, opening the season unranked and climbing to No. 2 in the Gazette poll. Defending state champion Harlan has been a title-game regular, owning the state record for championships (13) and finals appearances (23).

The matchup features two of the top quarterbacks in 3A, ranking 1-2 in passing categories. Mount Vernon’s Joey Rhomberg leads 3A with 2,543 yards, while Harlan’s Teagon Kasperbauer has 2,445. Kasperbauer leads the class with 37 pass TDs, 12 more than Rhomberg. Five Mustangs have at least 22 receptions with three with more than 400 yards, including Brady Erickson (51-586) and Evan Brase (48-640). Running back Henry Ryan adds 888 yards and 10 TDs on the ground for the Mustangs. Mount Vernon’s defense has been a strong force, allowing a mere 5.4 points per game. The Mustangs tallied 13 tackles for loss in a 14-6 semifinal win over Humboldt. Brad Vislisel had three tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks against the Wildcats, giving him nine sacks this season, which ranks second in 3A. University of Iowa commit Aidan Hall has 33 TDs for Harlan. He ranks second in 3A with 1,929 all-purpose yards. Hall is second in 3A with 825 receiving yards, trailing only teammate Cade Sears’ 898 yards.

Class 1A: No. 2 West Sioux (11-1) vs. No. 1 Van Meter (11-1), 4 p.m.

Class 5A: No. 10 West Des Moines Valley (8-4) vs. No. 4 Southeast Polk (11-1), 7:30 p.m.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com