(Cedar Falls) Harlan won their 13th state football champion on Friday afternoon. The Cyclones held Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley at arm’s reach and earned a 42-28 victory. They improve on their runner-up finish from 2020.
Teagon Kasperbauer threw for 273 yards on 20/27 completions with two touchdowns and one interception. Jacob Birch had a career day with 10 receptions for 145 yards. Kasperbauer’s TD strikes were to Connor Frame and Joey Moser. The junior QB finishes the year with 46 touchdown passes, 5th most in a single season in 11-Player Iowa history. Frame and Moser each tallied four receptions with 56 yards for Frame and 42 from Moser. William Kenkel carried 18 times for 49 yards and two scores. Aidan Hall added a touchdown run along with a 57 yard interception return for a TD. Frame’s 22 TD catches on the year is 2nd in single season state history.
The Cyclones were 7/10 on 3rd down. They tallied 316 yards of offense and avoided turnovers until the final few minutes. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley posted 396 yards of offense. They were led by Tanner Te Slaa completing 18/36 passes for 268 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. In addition to Hall’s pick six, Will Neuharth had a late takeaway to essentially seal the win. Landyn Van Kekerix had 58 yards rushing and 86 receiving. Caleb Kats had eight catches for 112 yards and a score. Ben Van Grootheest caught six balls for 104 yards. Vance Katzfey caught three passes for 64 yards and a TD. Kats also added a TD pass on a trick play of 66 yards to Van Kekerix.
The Cyclones are 13-9 all-time in the title game. This is their first championship since 2009. It’s the first for Todd Bladt as a head coach. Harlan raced out to a 21-7 lead at the end of one quarter and maintained a 35-21 margin at half. Boyden Hull/Rock Valley gained some momentum with an 87 yard scoring drive over the course of 6:30 in the 3rd quarter, but couldn’t swing the pendulum all the way in their favor against a Harlan team that earns the right to be in the conversation of best Harlan team’s of all time. The Cyclones were averaging over 50 points per game going into the finals and broke numerous school records along the way.
