Friday, November 15
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
