Iowa High School Football Playoff Highlights and Scores Roundup
The Iowa high school football playoffs are heating up as teams fight for a spot in the coveted UNI-Dome. The latest round of 16 games brought a wild mix of upsets, dominant wins, and edge-of-your-seat finishes.
Fans got a real show—athleticism, strategy, and just pure grit—while teams clawed to keep their championship hopes alive. Let’s get into the highlights, scores, and some performances that really stood out from this round of playoff action.
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Class 5A Showdowns
The Class 5A playoffs had some matchups that genuinely kept people guessing. Johnston pulled off a 34-26 win over Ankeny Centennial.
Johnston’s quarterback, Trevin Helming, led his team with a steady hand and some sharp throws. On the flip side, Centennial’s J.J. Morgan—who led all of Class 5A in rushing yards—put up a fight, but it just wasn’t enough this time.
Valley vs. Cedar Rapids Prairie
Valley managed to edge out Cedar Rapids Prairie with a 26-20 victory. Drake DeGroot’s touchdown pass to Jaden Montgomery was a highlight for sure.
Valley’s ability to control the clock, especially with a seven-minute drive late in the game, made all the difference. Prairie gave it everything, but just couldn’t quite close the gap.
Southeast Polk vs. Ankeny
Southeast Polk kept their title hopes alive with a 21-14 win over Ankeny. Ankeny’s quarterback Cale Rush made some gutsy plays, including a wild somersaulting catch by Hayden Carlson.
But turnovers and some miscommunication really hurt Ankeny. Southeast Polk took advantage and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Class 4A Highlights
Class 4A games? Also pretty wild, with a few blowouts and some last-second drama. Xavier absolutely crushed Waverly-Shell Rock 47-0, flexing both their defense and offense.
Gilbert vs. Lewis Central
Gilbert squeaked by Lewis Central with a 27-24 win. That game was all about grit—Gilbert just refused to back down.
Now they get to face Newton, who steamrolled Fort Dodge with a 51-7 victory. That’s a matchup worth watching.
North Polk vs. Glenwood
North Polk took down Glenwood 35-21, using a balanced attack and some tough defense. James Armstrong’s interception flipped the momentum, letting North Polk control the rest of the game.
Class 3A Battles
Class 3A? There were some blowouts and a few tighter games. Clear Lake rolled over Mount Vernon 41-0.
Solon had no trouble with Benton Community, winning 31-6. Some of these scores are just wild.
West Delaware vs. Mount Pleasant
West Delaware beat Mount Pleasant 35-21. Both teams had their moments, but West Delaware made the most of their chances when it counted.
Wahlert Catholic vs. Central DeWitt
Wahlert Catholic blanked Central DeWitt 38-0. Their defense was locked in, and the offense just kept moving the ball.
That sets up an interesting quarterfinal against West Delaware. Should be a good one.
Class 2A and Below
The lower classes brought their own fireworks. Kuemper Catholic took down OABCIG 26-15.
PCM outlasted Pella Christian 45-31 in a game that just kept piling on points.
Osage vs. Hampton-Dumont-CAL
Osage kept things rolling with a 27-7 win over Hampton-Dumont-CAL. A balanced attack and tough defense did the trick.
They’ll see Alburnett next, who knocked out Waukon 34-16. That could get interesting.
West Lyon vs. Lawton-Bronson
West Lyon made a statement with a 63-7 win over Lawton-Bronson. Their offense just couldn’t be stopped, and the defense shut things down.
Class A and Eight-Player Highlights
Class A and Eight-Player games? High-scoring, fast-paced, and a few eye-popping performances. MMCRU shut out Gehlen Catholic 37-0.
Woodbury Central handled Madrid 21-0. Not a ton of drama there, but still impressive.
Bishop Garrigan vs. North Union
Bishop Garrigan rolled past North Union 50-15. Their offense was humming, and the defense held strong.
Next round’s going to be a real test for them.
Don Bosco vs. Clarksville
Don Bosco lit up Clarksville 69-32. Explosive offense, opportunistic defense—they just kept piling it on.
Honestly, Don Bosco’s looking like a team nobody wants to face right now.
Looking Ahead
As the playoffs roll on, the competition’s bound to get even tougher. The quarterfinal matchups? They’re shaping up to be packed with wild moments and edge-of-your-seat action.
Fans should keep an eye out for breakout performances from the stars and some clever moves from the coaches. It feels like every game brings a new twist.
Want the latest scores and stats? Check out KCCI’s comprehensive coverage. There’s plenty more high school football coming as the race for the state title heats up.
