Iowa High School Football Crowns 2024 State Champions

Iowa high school football wrapped up its 2024 season by crowning state champions in seven classes. These games were held on Nov. 21 and 22 at the University of Northern Iowa Dome in Cedar Falls.

Meanwhile, the Iowa High School Athletic Association sanctioned the state tournaments for Classes 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A, A. The state also has a state champion for eight-a-side football. Some participants in these title games are among the top teams in the Iowa On3 Composite Rankings.

Southeast Polk Edges Valley for Class 5A State Championship

The Southeast Polk Rams completed a stunning comeback to earn the state title over the Valley Tigers 38-35. While Valley held a 35-24 fourth-quarter lead, Southeast Polk trimmed the deficit when Holden Hansen found Kaden Hills for a 41-yard touchdown pass.

After trimming the deficit to five points, the Rams retrieved the ball after an onside kick. Coach Brad Zelenovich’s squad won the title by capping off an eight-play drive with a touchdown run by Hansen. Down three with 21 seconds remaining, Valley didn’t have enough time to force overtime or retake the lead.

Hansen finished the game with 332 passing yards and three touchdowns, adding 97 rushing yards and two scores. Hills had 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Drake DeGroote had 279 yards and three touchdown passes in the losing effort. Jayden Brown added 171 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Tigers.

The victory earned Southeast Polk its fourth consecutive state championship, joining Solon, Regina Catholic, and Dowling Catholic as the only Iowa high school football teams to have pulled off that feat.

North Polk Defeats Pella for Iowa High School Football Class 4A State Title

The North Polk Comets dominated the ground game to outclass the Pella Dutch in the Class 4A state championship game. Unleashing their rushing attack allowed the Comets to possess the ball for 32 minutes and earn 20 first downs.

Nathan Feldman led North Polk’s ground game with 117 yards and three touchdowns. B.J. Tate had 152 rushing yards, while Henry Christensen added 42. The Comets pulled off a 24-14 victory despite having only 32 passing yards.

Meanwhile, Colin Kerndt had 132 passing yards and a touchdown for Pella. Emmanuel Diers led the Dutch with 35 rushing yards, while Harrison Mullens had 89 receiving yards and a touchdown. The victory gave North Polk its first-ever state championship.

Wahlert Catholic Dominated Humboldt for Class 3A State Championship

The Wahlert Catholic Golden Eagles are the state champions of Iowa high school football Class 3A after completing a 49-14 masterclass over the Humboldt Wildcats. Wahlert Catholic raced to a 35-7 halftime lead and never looked back to claim the first football title in school history.

In addition to piling up the points in the first half, Tate Schope and Merrick Wahlert recovered Humboldt fumbles that extended the Golden Eagles’ time of possession. Michael Bormann had 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Wahlert Catholic, while J.P. Elbert had 131 passing yards and a touchdown.

Tom Scherr finished with 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the Golden Eagles. On defense, Will Welbes and Broderick Schmidt each had a sack.

Coen Matson had 159 passing yards and a touchdown in the losing effort. Cash McIntyre had 85 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Valley Davis caught Matson’s lone TD pass.

Iowa High School Football State Championship Results – Classes 2A, 1A, A, Eight-Player

In the Class 2A state championship game, West Lyon completed a 42-7 demolition of Spirit Lake. Tate Hawf, Evan Hildring, and Bryson Childress combined for 230 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Jorden Meyer received Childress’ lone touchdown pass.

Meanwhile, Grundy Center earned a 28-7 win over Dike-New Hartford to claim the Iowa high school football Class 1A state championship. Judd Jirovsky and Brody Zinkula combined for 188 rushing yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Aiden Hook and Ryder Slifer each had a sack.

Tri-Center defeated West Hancock for the Class A state title, 14-10. A.J. Harder finished with 207 passing yards and a touchdown, while Carter Kunze added 168 rushing yards and a score. Kunze also caught Harder’s lone touchdown pass.

Finally, St. Mary’s Remsen had a one-sided victory over Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the Iowa high school football eight-player state championship. Landon Waldschmitt was a one-person wrecking crew for St. Mary’s, tallying 156 passing yards, 177 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns (five rushing). His two touchdown throws went to Keaton Harpenau.