State football roundup: Pella wins second straight Class 3A title

CLASS 3A: PELLA 31, NORWALK 14

Noah Clayberg ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns to lead Pella (14-0) to its second consecutive Class 3A state championship with a 31-17 victory over Norwalk Thursday night at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Clayberg broke a scoreless tie with a 20-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, but Norwalk (12-2) knotted things up at 7-all with a 10-play, 77-yard drive just before halftime.

The Dutch came out strong in the second half and scored 17 consecutive points, including touchdown receptions of 11 and 34 yards by receiver Will Warner.

Brady Bransfield ran for 109 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries for Norwalk.

The victory marked the 28th straight win for Pella.

CLASS A: GLADBROOK-REINBECK 52, AKRON-WESTFIELD 20

Eric Stoakes rushed for 282 yards to set a Class A state championship record as Gladbrook-Reinbeck (12-2) took home its first football title.

Stoakes scored four touchdowns, including an 80-yard TD run on the Rebels' second offensive play of the game.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter thanks in large part to Jake Schuman, who ran for two scores and passed for another.

Caleb Colt tied the Class A championship record with seven receptions for Akron-Westfield (11-3).

8-PLAYER: MARCUS MMC 57, DON BOSCO 52

Ben Specht threw for 293 yards and a record seven touchdowns for Marcus MMC in the highest scoring 8-player title game in state history.

The Eagles (13-0) scored 43 consecutive points between the second and third quarters to erase what had been a 14-0 lead for Don Bosco.

Jacob Spieler caught eight passes for 187 yards and five touchdowns for MMC.

Don Bosco (11-1) scored 30 points in the final quarter but the rally came up just short.

Brandon Bagby was 20 of 37 for 329 yards and six touchdowns, while Caleb Rigdon hauled in nine passes for 132 yards and four TDs for the Dons.