8-PLAYER STATE SEMIFINAL

NEWELL-FONDA (9-3) at No. 6 HLV (11-1)

* Site and time: 9:06 a.m. Thursday, UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls

* Overview: Both schools are trying to advance to their first championship game. HLV is making its fifth semifinal appearance and first since reaching the 2006 Class A semifinals. This is the Warriors first UNI-Dome appearance in 8-player competition, even though it is their third straight year in the playoffs. HLV has spoiled the postseason runs of two highly-ranked teams, beating No. 2 Janesville, 52-51, and No. 5 Elkader Central, 36-28. The Warriors are led by junior Dalton Kriegel, who has more than 2,000 yards of offense and 38 touchdowns. Nate Van Buren has rushed for 782 and 16 TDs and Tyler Strudthoff added 712 rushing yards and 16 TDs for the Warriors. Louis Kriegel leads HLV with 463 yards on 24 catches, including seven scores. He also has recorded a team-high 104 tackles, including 20 for loss and 10 sacks. Newell-Fonda has had three close postseason wins for a second straight semifinal berth. The Mustangs beat No. 7 Coon Rapids-Bayard, 13-7, and then dropped top-ranked and defending state champ Don Bosco, 37-36, in the quarterfinals. Newell-Fonda QB Brady Dicks has thrown for 1,523 yards and 25 TDs, hitting Connor Wolterman for 920 yards and 14 scores. Dicks ran for 715 yards this season. Cole Wise leads the Mustangs ground game with 919 yards and 15 TDs.

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