Iowa high school football fans, we've reached the final stop before the Dome.
This Thursday and Friday is Quarterfinal week, and each class will know who the final four will be come Saturday morning.
While there are great matchups all around the state of Iowa, only one pits two undefeated teams against each other.
That contest comes in the Iowa Class 1A Quarterfinals when Sigourney-Keota (10-0) travels to play Dike-New Hartford (10-0) Friday night.
Both teams enter Friday’s contest riding a wave of long-term success. Since 2018, when the seniors on each squad were freshmen, their combined record is 59-10 and both have been on the cusp of winning a championship.
A year ago, Sigourney-Keota reached the State Semifinals where they fell to eventual State Champion OABCIG.
In 2018, Dike-New Hartford lost in the State Championship game to West Sioux.
Having so much success and post season experience is something both head coaches feel will make this contest even more compelling.
“I think with the amount of veteran leadership our team has helps us keep these games in perspective. They are ready to seize the moment and at this point no game is any bigger than the other,” said Sigourney-Keota head coach Jared Jensen. “They are playing for their lives and their back is against the wall. I feel that they like that pressure and it brings another level of play out of them.”
“They’re a tradition-rich, senior-dominated team, kind of like us,” said Dike-New Hartford head coach Don Betts. “Friday’s going to be two large groups of seniors battling to play another game. I expect to see a heck of a battle from these guys.”
When looking at the history of each program, you find out that these two are no strangers when it comes to playing in big games against one another.
Friday’s contest will be the third all-time meeting between the two, with each holding a victory in the series.
In 1998, Dike-New Hartford won in the State Semifinals, 28-21. Sigourney-Keota returned the favor in 2005 on the grandest stage, defeating Dike-New Hartford for the 2A State Championship, 27-14.
Their previous meetings aren’t the only common bond between these two teams. This season both teams defeated Pella Christian and Columbus Catholic.
In the regular season Sigourney-Keota defeated Pella Christian 20-13 in an instant classic before eliminating Columbus Catholic from the playoffs a week ago with their 18-7 victory.
Week one of the regular season Dike-New Hartford defeated Columbus Catholic 35-21 and last week they ended Pella Christian’s season with a 35-14 victory.
So now that we know the back story to this colossal collision, let’s take a deep dive into the meat and potatoes of this contest.
Let’s Get Defensive
Entering this contest Friday, it is well known that both teams bring prolific offenses to the table. But, as they old saying goes, “Defense wins championships” and both teams have championship level defenses.
Let’s start with the Cobras.
So far this season the Sigourney-Keota defense is allowing just ten points per game. They’ve pitched two shutouts and only two teams have scored more than 20 points on them.
The emotional leader of the Cobra defense is Jack Clarahan. The fiery junior linebacker has 29 tackles on the season.
Leading the team in tackles is senior Colten Clarahan with 35 while fellow senior Cade Molyneux is right behind him with 34.
On the front line is sophomore Evan Vittetoe, who leads the team in sacks with five. His partner along the defensive line, senior Evan Dawson, has three sacks under his belt.
Opportunistic is a perfect word to describe the Cobra defense as they have caused 20 turnovers this season.
Highlighting this is junior Cole Clarahan with four interceptions. His interception before halftime against Columbus Catholic a week ago was a vital moment in the Cobra victory.
Sigourney-Keota junior Cole Clarahan has been a ball hawk this season for the Cobras hauling in four interceptions.
Now on to the Wolverines.
So far this season Dike-New Hartford is also allowing only ten points per game. They have pitched three shutouts and only one team has scored more than 20 points against them.
Junior Nick Reinicke sets the tone at linebacker. So far this season he leads the team in tackles with 84. Fellow junior Will Textor and senior linebacker Nate Graves are tied for second on the team with 39 tackles apiece.
Spearheading a stout defensive line are senior defensive ends Cale Jensen and Michael Hebrer, both of which have five sacks.
Much like Sigourney-Keota, Dike-New Hartford’s defenders have been ultimate opportunists. This season they have caused 22 turnovers. Senior defensive back Parker Adams stands out with his seven interceptions.
Don’t be surprised if one of these defensive units makes the game changing play Friday night.
Dike-New Hartford senior Cale Jensen has five sacks this season. Photo by Jake Ryder/The Grundy Register.
Running the Show
The center piece of both offenses in this Quarterfinal clash are two dynamic running backs.
Sigourney-Keota senior Cade Molyneux is closing in on 2,000 rushing yards for the season and has scored 24 touchdowns.
His longest run of the season is 74 yards and he’s eclipsed 100 yards in every game this season with his high of 306 coming against Cardinal.
On the opposing sideline Friday night will be junior Jerek Hall who has rushed for 1,643 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
Hall’s longest run of the season was 91 yards and he’s rushed for 100 yards in every game but one this season. His season high for rushing yards 225 came against South Harden.
Left: Cade Molyneux of Sigourney-Keota has rushed for 1,820 yards and 24 touchdowns. Right: Jerek Hall of Dike-New Hartford has rushed for 1,643 yards and 20 touchdowns. DNH Photo by Jake Ryder/The Grundy Register.
While the running backs are the headline grabbers (deservedly so) both teams have experienced leaders at the quarterback position as well.
Colten Clarahan is the cog that makes the Sigourney-Keota rushing wheel go. The senior leader has produced over 1,000 yards of offense this season and scored nine touchdowns.
Jacob Stockdale is well on his way to 1,500 passing yards this season and has thrown for 13 touchdowns. He gives the Wolverines a steady hand in the backfield and helps balance out a dangerous offense.
Both teams have playmakers fans will need to keep their eyes on Friday night.
Sigourney-Keota senior Levi Crawford is a threat in both the running and passing game along with being a dangerous return man on special teams. He’s produced over 600 yards of total offense this season to go along with his 324 return yards and has scored nine touchdowns.
Dike-New Hartford sophomore Micah Walston has been part of the Wolverines one-two punch all season. He’s scored eight touchdowns and has rushed for 457 yards. Last week against Pella Christian he led the team in rushing yards with 142.
The offensive stars on both teams will make plays Friday night, that is given, but the battle that will ultimately earn the winning team their spot in the Dome will come along the line of scrimmage where players like Sigourney-Keota’s Zach Smithart, Conner Reed, Evan Vittetoe and Aidan Schuster will go up against the likes of Isaac Carpenter, Cale Jensen, Cole Graves and Trevor Folkerts from Dike-New Hartford.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday night and the forecast is looking like the mid 40’s as two unbeaten teams collide to see who will punch their ticket to the Dome.
For Iowa high school football fans, it doesn’t get any bigger than that.
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