Friday, November 15
Class 5A Semifinal Recap
Valley 28, Dowling 21
The top ranked Maroons fall to their arch rivals in a classic West Des Moines showdown in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Dowling took advantage of an interception from Will Barretto on the Tigers first drive of the game and on 4th and 1 from the V12, Ra’Shawd Davis was able break free for a 12 yard TD to make it 7-0 Maroons. After a Valley 3 and out, Joey Nahas found the end zone to end a strong drive for a 4 yard run to make it 14-0 Dowling.
In the 2nd quarter, Valley started at their own 17, on 3rd and 6, QB Drake DeGroote found Jayden Brown on a 24 yard pass — two plays later, DeGroote hit Jayden McGregory on a 35 yard pass all the way to the D1. King Coleman plunged in on the next play to get the Tigers on the board. 14-7 was the score at the half.
Valley had it first to start the third quarter and the Tigers went on a 13 play drive — on 3rd and 17 from the D33, DeGroote hit McGregory on a 12 yard pass and then found him again on 4th and 5 for a 6 yard pass. Then Valley used some trick-a-ration — Darius Mason on a halfback pass found Brown for an 11 yard TD to tie the game at 14.
Dowling answered quickly as Parker DePhillips hit Jakob Skou on a 42 yard TD pass to retake a 21-14 lead. Valley responded with a strong drive ending in a Coleman 10 yard TD run to tie it again.
Early in the 4th quarter, Dowling would mount a drive and moved to the V12. Joey Nahas would be in at QB for DePhillips and was intercepted by McGregory at the 1 yard line and he would return it 98 yards down the field all the way to the D1. It was the turning point in the game. DeGroote found Zay Robinson on a 2 yard TD pass for the go ahead score — 28-21 Valley.
Dowling went 4 and out on their next drive — Valley used some clock before failing on a 4th and 5 from the D30. The Maroons got it back with 4:22 left and on 3rd and 13 DePhillips was sacked by Jarome Horn forcing a punt. Valley got it with 2:31 left and was able to run out the clock.
Dowling was led by Ra’Shawd Davis with 25 carries for 149 yards and 1 TD. Ryan Bobo had 2 sacks on defense but the Maroons season ends at 10-2.
Valley was led by King Coleman with 24 carries for 110 yards and 2 TD. Drake DeGroote was 13-17 passing for 158 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Jayden McGregory had 6 catches for 84 yards and 1 TD and had the play of the game with his INT and 98 yard return. The Tigers are now 10-2 and advance to the 5A state title game — they will try to win their 6th career state championship.
Complete Box Score, Click HERE
SE Polk 38, Iowa City Liberty 35
The Rams overcame an early two TD deficit and got some big plays in the air on their way to a win over the Lightning. Liberty got the early lead on their first two drives of the game — Reece Rettig threw an 8 yard TD to Collin Drecker and after a SE Polk 3 and out Rettig found Dallas Miller for a 40 yard pass that would eventually set up Owen Drapeaux on a 2 yard TD run to make it 14-0.
Late in the first quarter, SE Polk still did not have a first down but on 4th and 2, Holden Hansen found Kaden Hills on a 3 yard gain and that jump started the offense. Hansen Gabe Wheeler for 17 then found Drew Thompson for 16 and early in the 2nd quarter Hansen sneaked it in from 1 yard to get on the board. Liberty’s response was swift — Rettig went deep and found Miller for a 62 yard TD pass and the Lightning were up 21-7.
SE Polk added a TD just before the end of the first half — a Liberty face mask call on a sack would set up Hansen to Hills on an 8 yard TD pass but Lightning took the lead into the locker room 21-14.
Hansen continued to get yardage in the air to start the 3rd quarter — the Rams converted a 4th and 3 on a 4 yard pass to Teague Cantrall and Hansen found Hills again for the second time form 10 yards out to tie the game at 21-21. After a Lightning 3 and out, SE Polk took the lead on a Samer Arfa 24 yard field goal to make it 24-21.
Liberty was not done — early in the 4th quarter, Retting found Miller again for a big play — a 62 yard TD pass and Iowa City took back the lead 28-24. The big plays continued — a short kickoff gave the Rams good field position at the Liberty 48 and Hansen connected with Hills for his 3rd TD of the game from 32 yards out and the roller coaster ride continued, SE Polk was back up 31-28 early in the 4th quarter.
The Lightning needed to answer but a 4 minute drive ended on downs at the SE24. The Rams went deep on the next play and Hansen found Hills again for TD #4 this time from 76 yards out to make it 35-28 Rams. Liberty would keep the aerial assault going — it took Retting just under three minutes to find the end zone but this time it was a trick play as Miller caught the lateral and threw it back to Retting for a 49 yard TD pass to cut the lead to three.
SE Polk got the kickoff and they would not give up the ball –two big first downs forced the Lightning to use their timeouts and the Rams put the game away and now has a chance for a threepeat.
Iowa City Liberty’s Dallas Miller had 8 catches for 245 yards and 2 TD. Reece Retting was 20-26 passing for 334 yards and 3 TD. The Lightning were held to 66 yards rushing and end their season at 10-2.
For SE Polk, Holden Hansen was 18-25 for 255 yards 4 TD and 1 INT plus had 56 yards rushing and 1 score. Kaden Hills had 8 catches for 168 yards and 4 TD. The Rams are now 8-4 and will play Valley for the 5A State title on Friday, November 22 at 7 pm.
Complete Box Score, Click HERE
