Championship football matches set up

CEDAR FALLS – The championships are ready to be played. 

Over the course of the week the seven new football championships will be settled as the 2024 IAHSAA football season comes to a close. 

8-player

St. Mary’s Remsen scored with 24 seconds left to take down defending 8-player champion Bishop Garrigan in the semifinals last week. The Hawks were able to connect on a 12-yard pass to give them the lead. 

Both teams scored a touchdown in the first quarter. Remsen St. Marys would then score a touchdown in the third quarter to take a 14-8 lead. Bishop Garrigan scored back-to-back touchdowns to hold a 20-14 lead with 3:43 left in the game. 

St. Mary’s answered with an 8-play, 60-yard drive to take the win and move into the championship game. 

The Hawks will take on Gladbrook-Reinbeck after they were able to win 43-27 over Lenox.

Both teams were tied at 14 after the first quarter, but a 15-0 second quarter set Gladbrook-Reinbeck up for the eventual win, despite two second-half touchdowns by Lenox. 

The championship game will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20.

Class A

West Hancock didn’t throw a single pass in their 50-35 win over Madrid. 

Despite the lack of passing West Hancock was able to compile 450 yards of offense. Madrid had 528 yards, and despite 28 second half points they were not able to gain ground on West Hancock to advance to the championship game. 

On the other side of the bracket Tri-Center overcame a first quarter deficit, and scored big in the second half to gain a 42-14 win over Saint Ansgar. 

Tri-Center scored first, but a touchdown and a two point conversion gave the Saints an 8-7 lead after one quarter. 

The next 21 points would be scored by the Trojans as they were able to march onto the championship game. 

West Hancock and Tri-Center’s championship game will kick off at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Class 1A

If anyone is left in Grundy County this weekend, they might have missed the memo.

Two Grundy County teams will meet for the class 1A championship. In the semifinals Grundy Center rolled past Wilton 42-7. A 21-point second quarter helped Grundy Center keep their undefeated season alive. 

In the other semifinal Dike-New Hartford defeated Hinton 24-18 to move into the championship game. 

The Wolverines scored a touchdown in the first two opening quarters to hold a 14-6 lead at halftime. They tacked on a field goal to start the fourth, before Hinton started a comeback that fell short. 

Dike-New Hartford and Grundy Center, both teams that call Grundy County home, will kickoff at 4 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Class 2A

Spirit Lake used a 42-point first half to earn a win over PCM. Although the Mustangs scored 21 points in the second quarter it wasn’t enough for them to start the comeback. Spirit Lake used 534 yards of total offense to work their way into the championship game. 

The Indians will meet West Lyon in the championship game. West Lyon was able to win 49-24 over Van Meter in the other semifinal game. 

Van Meter held a lead just before halftime. 

Then, West Lyon scored off a 5-play, 57-yard touchdown drive with 90 seconds left in the first half to take a 21-17 lead. From then on West Lyon continued to score, eventually claiming the 49-24 victory. 

Spirit Lake and West Lyon faceoff for the 2A championship at 10 a.m. on Nov. 22. 

Class 3A

Wahlert Catholic survived a late scare by Sergeant Bluff-Luton to keep their season alive. 

Wahlert Catholic led 10-3 at halftime, and then scored early in the third quarter to increase their lead 17-3. The Warriors of Sergeant Bluff-Luton weren’t done as they scored a touchdown late in the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter the Warriors scored off a 15 yard pass, but the game-tying field goal was blocked and Wahlert moved on. 

Humboldt also survived a close game, defeating Mount Vernon 28-25 to move into the championship game. 

Humboldt led 14-11 at halftime, but a pair of touchdowns threatened the lead. Once Humboldt got the ball back they never let go and held onto the 28-25 win. 

Humboldt and Wahlert Catholic will meet at 1 p.m. on Nov. 22.

Class 4A

Pella knocked off the defending State champion, Lewis Central 28-16 to gain their way into the championship game. 

Pella led 14-3 at half and secured the win with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, while limiting the defending 4A champions to 318 total yards of offense. 

North Polk trailed early after giving up a touchdown to North Scott early on. From then on, North Polk scored 35-straight points to take the 37-7 victory. 

The Comets and Dutch will meet for the 4A championship at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Class 5A

Valley knocked off their arch enemies, Dowling Catholic, 28-21. Dowling used two second quarter touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead, but two third quarter touchdowns by Valley tied the game at 21 after three quarters.   

Early in the fourth quarter the Tigers scored again to gain a 28-21 victory. 

Southeast Polk is returning to the championship after a 38-35 win over Iowa City Liberty. 

Iowa City Liberty scored 21 points in the first half to lead 21-14 at halftime. However they were blanked 10-0 in the third quarter which gave Southeast Polk the advantage. Both teams scored two touchdowns each in the final quarter to power the Rams back into the championship game. 

Valley and Southeast Polk will meet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22.