Class 5A — Iowa City Liberty Lightning vs. Dowling Catholic Maroons

One more game to go and it is a doozy. Welcome to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where we're going to finish off two days, seven games with number seven. Hello everybody. I'm Paul Yeager Iowa high School Athletic Association football championships live. We're back here on Iowa PBS. It has been so fun to be here for the last couple of days. Now it's time for Class 5A. Thank you for joining us. Remember, it's all free. Wherever you choose to watch Iowa City, Liberty High School is going to take on Dowling Catholic High School in just a few moments. They're coming on to the field. Now, let's tell you how they made it to the field. And they played in this championship game. Iowa City, Liberty and Waukee northwest. The battle of the newest schools in Iowa. Reece Rettig to Pryor Reiners. Then it's Brody Beaver a six yard carry. Bodi Morrison is going to pick up a fumble in the end zone scoop and score. That's six. Then Rettig the jump pass over the top to Logan Laubenthal 3115. First title game for the Lightning of Iowa City. They'll face a team. Well, two teams that are very well known up here, Valley and Dowling. It's an old classic Blake Doran camp gives the Tigers the first seven nothing lead. Then it's Joey to twin brother Jimmy Nahas twins for the TD. They're twins. And then look at this one. Jeffrey Roberts huge play. Maroons up 14. Nothing and they would go on to win this. They're going for their first title since 19 after they won seven straight 1410 over Valley. One more thing to do before the game. That's our national anthem. Let's go down to the field and do that now.

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 At this time, we please ask if you are. Please rise as you are able. Remove your hats and direct your attention towards the flag in the south end. Again, your attention towards the South Video board and the flag. As we honor America with the singing of our national anthem. West Delaware is honored to have a vocal trio of Grace sleeper, Kaiser Rivera, Rivera, Lopez, and Emma Mitchell singing the Star-Spangled banner this evening. All three are core members of the West Delaware Vocal Music Department and have participated in choirs, show choir, fall musicals, dinner, dessert shows, all state process, as well as being selected to the all state chorus. Other school activities include marching band, spring play, speech, cross country, soccer, wrestling, student wrestling, cheerleading, student leadership, homecoming court, National Honor society, and student council. The trio is under the direction of Miss Jackie Hawkins, Cech, now the singing of our national anthem.

 Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars. Through the perilous fight. O'er the ramparts we watched. Were so gallantly streaming. And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night. That our flag was still there. O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free. And the home of the brave.

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 Thanks for.

 Great job by that trio. And great job to get here to the finals. Are you ready? We're going to do this one final time. Shawn Kenney Kevin Miller. They're warmed up. They're stretched out. They're ready to go. It's the five eight game call. The final game of the 2025 state football championship championships. And the season coming your way next on Iowa PBS.

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 The glimmer around the UNI-Dome on a November Friday night means one thing a state championship is on the line in Iowa's largest class. We welcome you to Cedar Falls, the Class 5A state championship. Iowa City Liberty has reached the finals for the first time in the school's short history. They get ready to take on perennial power Dowling Catholic and the pleasant. Good evening Shawn Kenney, alongside Hall of Fame coach Kevin Miller. Great to have you with us on this Friday night, coach. It seems like these two teams have been destined to have a collision course really since early October. You look at Liberty, they hit a tough stretch early in the year. They lost the game. They have bounced back. They've knocked off three ciml teams on the other side. For Dowling, it's 11 straight wins since a week one loss to Valley.

 Both teams are playing their best when it counts. And that's really the key here in the postseason is to really pick up momentum and play your best football when it really counts, and that's certainly the case with two great football teams playing their best when it really matters.

 This is what it's all about. A Friday night in Cedar Falls. Class 5A state championship. You take a look at the high power Lightning offense and they are headlined by Reece Rettig at quarterback. Over 2300 passing yards this year. He's close to 1000 yards on the ground. They have five first year starters on the offensive line. Expect Brody Beaver to be a key as well at running back for the Iowa City Liberty defense. They rely on their athleticism and they will go multiple fronts. Eric Strunk Alex Strunk two very active linebackers. The final championship to be determined. Dowling won the toss. They elected to defer, so it will be liberty to get the football first. Looking at the Dowling starters tonight, this is a team that's very balanced, but expect them to try to establish the ground game with Ian Middleton Carter Barrett at left tackle already getting the interest of Division one schools as a sophomore. Defensively, they rely on the energy of Ryan Bobo, 16 tackles for losses, 12 sacks throughout the course of the year. Liberty from the 20. And this is what they do. They come out throwing on first down but good pursuit by the Maroons Jeffrey Roberts one of the first ones in.

 Liberty loves to run an empty set and you'll see them throughout the course of the evening. They'll shift in motion a lot to try to create mismatches and numbers or personnel conflicts from the Dowling defense.

 Second down and ten for the 170 pound senior Reece Rettig. What a year it has been for him. They fake the jet sweep second down pocket collapsing over the middle at the last second. He spotted Jordan Schroeder who makes the catch. Good poise by Rettig. He hung in there as long as he could.

 Rettig does a really good job of waiting for Schroeder to come open late there across the middle, and does a great job of receiving the football while taking on some contact. Outstanding play there coach.

 Look at the impact players. Obviously we've already seen what Rettig can do. Jeffrey Roberts one of the most explosive players that head coach Tom Wilson has had in his 30 plus years along the Dowling sideline. First down from the 31 Schroeder in motion. They will play fake pressure off the edge and Rettig wisely throws it away. He felt the heat from Bonanno, the big defensive end, the 205 pounder and the officials talking about the possibility of intentional grounding. And here it comes. They discussed it and the flag is thrown. As we take a quick look at the keys to the game for you, coach.

 Iowa City Liberty, they have to utilize Redding's dual threat abilities. Here's a player that can hurt you both with his arm and his legs.

 Receiver in the area, and the quarterback had not left the pocket. Therefore, it's intentional grounding offense 17.

 Secondly, they need to neutralize Dowling's run game. Dowling is going to try to run the football and keep Liberty's offense off the field. And with the big offensive line, certainly Liberty is going to have to really put a lot of bodies in the box to be able to combat that. Dowling Catholic contained Reece Rettig and control the ball.

 Loss of down on the intentional grounding. So second and a mile now they will test the running game for the first time. And a big hit put on. Along that far side, hard hitting Dowling defense and the penalty really pushes the Lightning behind the sticks. Now at third and long.

 Tried to compress that edge and obviously Dowling does a really good job of setting the edge, turning it back in, getting inside out pursuit. And that's what Dowling does a really good job of pursuing the football and tackling in space.

 Rettig checking down play clock down to four. Dowling with a three man rush. It's a conservative call on the edge. Slipping free. A lot of work to do. They get it out to Beaver. He takes it to the 26 and it will be after an initial first down, Liberty forced a punt.

 Liberty just swings it out here, and one of the strengths of this Liberty offense is their perimeter blocking. The receivers do an outstanding job of locking up defenders in space, and that is really been an important facet to their perimeter success this season.

 Good punt by Schroeder. Fair catch signal for at the 30 by Sam Drexler A punt of 43 yards and now it is Tom Wilson's turn here. 34 for Dowling and the Maroons offense as they get ready to go to work with their senior quarterback Joey Nahas. He's thrown for over 2000 yards this year, 24 touchdowns coming off a two touchdown performance in the semifinal win the annual clash. It seems like in Cedar Falls with Valley.

 Nahas. What impresses me most about him is his ability to make all throws in the arsenal of the Dowling offense.

 They have the H-back inside the tackle on first down and they will go with the ground game and a big hole opens up. Ian Middleton plunging his way up ahead to the 37 brought down by Jackson Williams.

 We're going to see a heavy dose of Middleton running between the tackles. That is what they do.

 Dowling goes tempo. Second down and three. 11 straight wins, coming in to the state final tonight. Back to back calls for Middleton runs into the pile, keeps the legs churning and he'll be about a yard shy. They mark him down at the 39 and a third and one.

 Staple of Dowling's offense is they want to run inside and outside zone. This last play. They're running outside zone. Liberty does a really good job of maintaining gap integrity, and Dowling now is a yard short. We'll see what Liberty dials up here on defense.

 Roberts and Drexler the two receivers to the top. The blocking back is Schmulbach third and short first down, shoulder down to the turf, but a quick hitter Middleton and no surprise, Dowling establishing the trenches early.

 Just a real inside zone and sometimes Middleton will be from his pistol position or offset that time they hit it a little bit quicker than they traditionally do with their inside zone concept.

 Middleton used to a heavy workload entering tonight. He leads Class 5A and rush attempts, never gets tired. So durable. Just a power back and he will get his fourth straight call and they are running over the right side right now and they are sending an early message to Liberty. Line up and try to stop us. Man on, man up front.

 Inside zone. And you're seeing that vertical displacement of the Liberty defensive line. And as a zone team, that's what you want to try to do is to get vertical displacement. And here early on that's what Dowling has established.

 Four carries 20 yards on this opening drive. And they will go right back to their bellcow this time. Liberty puts up a fight inside Alex Strunk, who we highlighted at the top of the show. 47 tackles coming in. They really wanted to utilize his speed, so they moved him from inside to the outside linebacker position midway through the year. Following their week four loss.

 Brought an edge blitz and at the point of attack, they did a really good job of standing up the offensive line and getting him to turn his motor before he's able to hit that hit that line of scrimmage.

 Third down and three. They go empty set for the first time. Here they go. They're going to stretch it vertically just beyond the reach of the speedster Roberts. There is a flag down along the far side a good 10 or 15 yards downfield.

 Yeah we talked about Dowling taking shots and Max protecting. And when they get single coverage like this, certainly that's what they were doing.

 Holding defense. Number 110 yards results in a first down.

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 Just a simple go route. And as a result the Liberty defender just grabbed him. And resulted in the penalty.

 First down and now another flag looked like maybe someone flinched for Dowling.

 Offense. Number three five-yard penalty. First down.

 Jeffrey Roberts the wide receiver a little bit premature so the Maroons will bounce back and they'll have it at the 45 first and 15 opening drive. Not quite halfway through this opening quarter, Liberty has had it once picked up one first down, then they were forced to punt.

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 First and 15 Nahas again going deep. This time it's for Drexler, but nothing but Lightning defenders. Adrian Clerry nearly had the pick.

 You have a seven man box. Liberty's playing a lot of man coverage here with the safety over the top. Clerry was in really good position there. Just out, you know, reached out. Just couldn't haul it in there. But as we talked about Dowling is going to take shots with their playmakers on the perimeter. Liberty wants to continue to play man coverage. As you can tell in the bottom end of your screen here, that's what you're seeing there. One on one.

 Two of the fastest guys in the state at the bottom of the screen. They are a decoy here. As they run up the middle and twisting his way back close to the original line of scrimmage is Ian Middleton. And now a real opportunity for Liberty in this defense to get off the field. Third down and ten.

 Another key. Dowling wants to stay on schedule. They don't want to be in third and ten situations. Then Liberty can play more of their base defense.

 Third down Nahas pressure takes off runs. He'll pick up the first down. Joey Nahas felt the heat. He doesn't run a lot, but when he does, it's effective. He moves the sticks. A first down for Dowling.

 Great decision there by Nahas felt pressure stepped up in the pocket. There was nobody in the middle of the field here. As you can tell. There was a lot of open space, but he had great awareness in the pocket there to step up and make plays with his feet.

 Impressive opening drive. They will put Middleton in motion. They swing it out to him in the flat. Middleton whipped around. Good gain on first down, brought down by Landon Bell.

 Dowling will also do a lot of shifting and motioning trying to utilize their athleticism and their skill. Players in space.

 They continue to get lined up without huddling, preventing Liberty from getting any type of substitution onto the field. Second down and seven ninth play of this drive for Nahas and the Maroons. They have taken it to the Liberty 25 and this has been the recipe right here. And busting out of the pack. Middleton to the five touchdown 25 yards.

 Middleton just does a great job of being patient, letting those blocks set up and inside zone. And that's the key to being a good inside zone. Back is not really getting downhill too early. Let that offensive line push the line of scrimmage and then cut back as he got, you know, a yard or two into the line of scrimmage and then broke out from there and then outran the Liberty defenders to the end zone.

 Ryan Kuhn on for the point after kick on the way and it's good. And Dowling fires first here inside the UNI-Dome an impressive nine play, 70 yard drive. And it was this guy here. The senior Ian Middleton who did it all on the opening drive. Seven carries, 50 yards, paydirt here. Yeah, Nahas knows it. This offensive line opening up some holes and a seven nothing lead for Dowling.

 We talked early on that this was a key to the game that Liberty was going to have to assert themselves on the defensive front. The front six, front seven were going to have to, you know, contain and neutralize the power run game of Dowling, and you're going to see a heavy dose of Middleton running inside and outside zone. It starts to shut the zone concepts down. You have to get him stopped before he gets started, because once a big back like that gets into the line of scrimmage and he gets a yard or two, you know, downfield, it really makes it difficult to bring a back like that down.

 Defensive holding call by Liberty kept the drive alive. Dowling goes three for three on third downs on the opening drive. Clerry and Laubenthal awaiting the kick. Strong leg and this one sails through the end zone for the touchback.

 We'll see how Liberty responds here on this second drive. They did some good things early on, but they had that self-inflicted penalty that set them behind the change. It's important that Liberty stays on schedule as well. They can't get behind the sticks, need to continue to do what they do. Get the ball in space, put the ball in his hands and let him do what he does best.

 Former Iowa Hawkeye along the sideline for Liberty. Year two for Scott Chandler young program. Liberty High School that started in 2017 over in Iowa City, they run the option to the boundary side. They forced the quick pitch and Beaver falls ahead to the 25.

 Just lead option here to the to the short side. Great job of executing Beaver does a really good job. I've been impressed with him throughout the course of the week. Watching film. He's a strong runner, runs through contact, gets a lot of extra yards after, you know contact as well. Going to be key as this game progresses as well.

 Brody Beaver sat behind a couple of pretty good running backs last year. He only saw a handful of carries, but he has stepped up as one of the main weapons this year. Second down now they run a little counter play, but staying at home beautifully was Dowling's Kyle Schumacher. That is a sign that football right there.

 That is a trademark of Dowling Football. They're fundamentally sound. You don't usually get them out of position. They're going to stay home. They're going to play gap sound defense. They're going to read their keys and react accordingly.

 Third down and a yard Clerry wide left. They bunch up the formation to the right. Rettig like he always does, checking over to the sideline. Now he comes in under center. Dowling shifts their big nose guard Bobo over the football and trying to drift off his center. Pete Hanson and his Reece Rettig. And they are going to say first down, it's a big one for the Lightning coach.

 It certainly is a great response. After Dowling marches that first drive down and scores, it's important that they stay on schedule, stay ahead of the sticks here. First downs going to be important throughout the course of the night as well. They can't be in these long yardage situations.

 See a lot of pre-snap movement with Liberty showing a lot of different looks. Reiners in motion. First down, they will hand the ball off to Beaver and he is popped and dropped again. At Schumacher. He has proven he's up to the challenge, able to tackle in space.

 Outstanding job by the outside support defender. Comes up. Edge was set and makes a great tackle. Another aspect of Dowling football. They're fundamentally sound and the tackling element and talking to Coach Wilson earlier in the week talked about how they got back to basics after that first loss to Valley.

 Quick moving first quarter final state championship to be earned here in 2025. Rettig trying to look for a cutback lane. He is lassoed down, whipped ahead by Carlos Blount, junior, who led Dowling with ten tackles in the semifinal win against Valley.

 A little lead option again there, pulling the backside guard. Dowling does a really good job of playing assignment defense there. I went to the back and he he had to keep it in that situation.

 Rettig perfect. Throwing the football in this first quarter for for for 26 yards throwing situation here. The point to get right at the 40 yard line. Third down. It's a quick quarterback sprint right up the middle Rettig found a little bit of daylight. Another tackle for Blount. Fourth down and a long yard for Rettig in this offense.

 Liberty when they get into their empty and open sets, loved to run the quarterback.

 Rettig ducks in under center. They're going to roll the dice trying to squirt his way around the outside, and it looks like they gave him a good spot. Initially he was stuffed. There was nothing all bottled up over a center Pete Hanson but Rettig to his credit, kept the legs churning.

 Sean, great second effort there. Quarterback sneak wasn't there. Bounced it out and just got that extra yard. You can see that he is the ultimate competitor. He loves to compete. Coach Chandler talked about that consistently, that he thrives in these situations. And as this game continues to progress.

 Seven seconds, five seven and it will start on my signal. Thank you.

 Yeah. Scott Chandler told us when talking about the competitiveness of Rettig. Yeah, kind of reminded of himself, you know, a young Scott Chandler back in the day, ultra competitor. Here he was, the ultimate gambler and it pays off.

 He certainly was. That was a big conversion there on fourth down.

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 First down again. It is Rettig. Takes it ahead for two yards. Key matchup to watch. This is a young offensive line for Iowa City Liberty. We talked about it. All five guys up front are first year starters Josiah DeShaw the right guard. This is his first year on the offensive line. He played D-line last year as a spot player, right tackle was a former tight end that they slid to the tackle position this summer.

 They have progressed and improved throughout the course of the season and here they are in this empty set again. Love to run the quarterback in this situation, but we have the end of the quarter here.

 One quarter in the books, the battle for supremacy in Class 5A steady dose of Ian Middleton through the first 12 minutes, his touchdown run as Dowling up seven. Nothing.

 Paul Yeager here on a short break to speak with Jim Clegg. He's president and CEO of Bank of Iowa in West Des Moines. So, Jim, tell me why Iowa Banker supports Iowa PBS as well as boys athletics here in the state of Iowa?

 Yes, Paul, the Student Athlete Achievement Awards are significant to Iowa student athletes and their communities because they not only recognize athletic excellence, but also academic achievement, leadership and character. Through the program's 30 year history, the IBA has awarded more than $360,000 in scholarships to student athletes in football, basketball, and wrestling. These scholarships are a win for all of us because after graduation, we hope these students will work right here in Iowa.

 And that support of those scholarships is incredible, right?

 It is indeed so much like the IBA supports the Iowa banks. We are committed to supporting students by investing in their education and financial future, which helps to build stronger communities. It reflects our commitment to community growth and long term success across the state.

 All right, Jim, thank you. All right. Let's get back to the game.

 The Athletic Association championships, the Iowa Bankers Association honors student athletes who excel on the field in the classroom and in their communities with a student Athlete Achievement award and a $1,000 college scholarship. The 2025 winner of the Class 5A is Pete Hanson from Liberty High School. Jim Miller from first Day First Interstate Bank in Waterloo is here from banking community to show support for Pete. Congratulations, Pete, and thank you to Jim and Iowa Bankers Association for supporting this award.

 Back with you from Cedar Falls, a Friday night prime time football. The class five, a state championship with Paul Yeager down on the field. Hall of Fame coach Kevin Miller Shawn Kenney back with you as we get ready for the start of quarter number two. Dowling with a seven. Nothing lead, but Liberty is strung together back to back first downs as we start this second quarter. Huge crowd on hand. Beautiful day here in Iowa. There have been Novembers where people are trudging across Hudson and inches of snow and a wind chill under ten below, but not today. Balmy weather here in the state. And everybody hit to the highways to come on in and watch this one second down. They will run the jet sweep. And then an option pitch off it. And that's the creativity that Coach Chandler has brought to this offense.

 I love it and Coach Chandler talked about that shot where these athletes have so many different skill sets, they can run the football, catch the football, throw the football. And you just saw an illustration of that. They get the jet sweep and then the the person then options off of the edge. Great creativity. Love to see that.

 He's got to believe this is four down territory since they went forward earlier. A couple of plays to get four yards third down and four Beaver is the running back to the right. Three receivers near side, including one of the tight ends. Landon Bell third down. They want to set up the screen. Beaver makes the catch, but Dowling was ready for it. Nowhere to go for Brody Beaver Carlos Blount again.

 Outstanding job there by obviously trying to run a screen. You can see it here on your on your screen. They do a great job. You see how they fall back on that screen. The defensive line after pursuing the quarterback. And then you have everyone else rallying to the football. That's great team defense, well coached.

 So they continue to push it. They keep the offense on the field. Fourth down and five. This has been their M.O. all season. You don't change when you get to the state title game. We'll see if they actually go through with it. The play clock winding down. And now Scott Chandler will use a Time-out.

 That's their.

 First, in all likelihood here, Sean. They're taking the time. They're going to punt the football. I would anticipate trying to draw them offsides, which is, you know, a great opportunity. And, you know, fourth and six. But in all likelihood, considering the field position seven, nothing here. Just at the start of the second quarter, you don't want to compromise field position here in the second quarter. If this were the midway through the third or fourth quarter, might be a better time. But they have taken these chances throughout the course of the year, and you don't change who you are or what you do based on, you know, what's happening. And I don't see that being the case. You know, here in this situation, it's really kind of dependent on, you know, what they feel is best suited for the situation.

 And.

 It would be an awfully big risk. And they will send out the punter now and Schroeder. Second hunt of the night for Schroeder. And here's some of the crazy schemes that they will pull out pretty frequently throughout the course of the game. Just the center and one protector back. And now running to the right side. It is a fake. Trying to run to that first down marker, but Dowling was there holding his ground. Was Jackson Miller.

 A opportunity here. You know, I understand liberty with being close to the 50 yard line, taking a chance. And it was one of those, you know, situations where they're counting the bodies here. You can see they still have four defenders on three, and they had the numbers to be able to defend that type of a formation. Now, if another defender would have went over and defended the the swinging gate, now you have a better opportunity. And but I also feel like you don't get away from what you do. So I understand the premise behind, you know, what they did when they did it.

 So glorious starting position for Nahas and Dowling, now at the Liberty 47 yard line. Middleton makes a couple of cuts and now he's into the secondary, picks up a downfield block from Drexler Middleton inside the 15 shoved out of bounds 32 yards.

 What you're seeing Dowling do is once again that inside zone. They're getting a vertical push. And the backside is sealing that linebacker. And they're cutting back on that. You see how they kind of pin the backside. And so then he bends it back across the grain. Because they do such a great job at the point of attack.

 Look at Ian Middleton. He has a number of Division two office offers. Senior running back. They brought him up toward the end of his freshman year, which is very, very rare at Dowling, but that's how talented he is. And now he is swarmed in the backfield. Jackson Williams caught up with him.

 Running outside zone here into the boundary, and that is the best way to defeat zone blocking. Getting penetration. Liberty is going to have to use their speed and athleticism to try to get penetration, to get Middleton stopped before he gets those shoulder pads over his, you know, his feet and he's downhill. He's very dangerous when he's past the line of scrimmage.

 Third down and 12 trips left for the Maroons Middleton stays alongside Nahas Nahas looking over the middle, checks down. Nothing there. He's going to take off and he breaks through a couple of arm tackles, driving ahead and he'll be two yards shy of the first down. Good job again. Nahas entering tonight. Just 74 rushing yards this season. But we have seen him take off on two occasions. And Dowling will send out the reliable kicker and Ryan Kuhn.

 Nahas on that previous play did a really good job once again of reading the coverage. They got pressure upfield, stepped up in the pocket and elected to use his feet to try to get the extra yardage and got positive yardage. Put him in position to kick here. This field goal.

 Kuhn one of the top kickers in five a drills it. Dowling takes advantage of the field position and it's a ten nothing lead for the Maroons. 828 to go until halftime. A fans scan the QR code or call the phone number on your screen to consider a gift to Friends of Iowa PBS. As you may have heard, Congress cut 3.5 million in federal funding to Iowa PBS. This is the largest One-Time cut in the 55 year history, affecting 18% of the total budget. These funds help maintain our statewide network, delivering trusted local programs to every corner of Iowa. Despite the challenge, we're committed to our mission to educate, inform, enrich and inspire. Thank you for watching and supporting public media. Great environment the past two days and Cedar Falls. Tom Wilson back into the state championship game for Dowling. Their last title was in 19 when they knocked off Valley 2116. They were the first football team in the state of Iowa to win seven straight titles. Maroons went 87 and six during that seven year stretch. Just an incredible run. What a job he has done.

 He's done a tremendous job. I have a lot of respect for Coach Wilson. I've known him for a long period of time, does things right. And he's about the right things. Building men, men of character. And that's representative of how his kids compete both on and off the field.

 Dowling into the playoffs for the 18th straight season, their 47th overall appearance, which is tops in the state of Iowa.

 We'll see how Liberty responds here. This is a big drive for them. That previous drive did some good things, converted on some third downs, but need to make something happen here with a meaningful drive.

 Rettig five of 525 yards. Hasn't been able to get his ground game going a couple of sacks that hurt his numbers there. They drop eight into coverage Rettig now pursued by the linebacker near side throw. Cleary makes the diving catch.

 This is what he's so good at is being able to extend plays right. He allows things to develop. And just when you think that you have him corralled, he makes a throw like this rolling to his left off balance and still makes an accurate throw.

 He's fearless and knew he was going to get hit. He hung in there. We've seen him do that a couple of times tonight. He's done it all year. Second down, second and six. They will hand the ball off on the jet, sweep a couple of nifty moves. But again Dowling on the edge. They are so good out there in open space.

 Great point Sean. They are doing a really good job. And you can see they're making a concerted effort of really coming up hard and tackling in space and doing a really good job of getting off blocks on the perimeter, which Liberty thrives at. One of the best high school teams I've seen in recent memory that does such a great job of perimeter blocking.

 They will put a lot of stress on you if you're outside as a defender cornerback. The outside linebackers you are under the gauntlet. It seems like every play third down and three. They keep a spy just to monitor Rettig they break through with a three man rush and a diving catch is made by Schroeder. Oh terrific. Throw on the backpedal by Reece Rettig.

 Just allowed himself enough time. Just kind of kept backing up. Watch him here. He gets pressure. They've got him really in the pocket, but he keeps backing up to allow himself more time to free up that receiver to come across the middle. Great diving catch there by Schroeder. But those are the things that he gives you that a lot of other quarterbacks can't. His ability to extend plays and manipulate himself in the pocket, to be able to make those kind of throws, I refer to it as pocket presence. It's something you can't teach quarterbacks just have that innate ability to do that.

 First and ten, they will design this quarterback keeper, cutting his way up to the 33 yard line, pick up a four. Another tackle by Blount. He's already up to six tackles in this game. He is picking up where he left off in the state semifinals.

 Blount is such an active linebacker. Their linebackers are very active, but it's also predicated on the defensive line and you're seeing Dowling mixing up the fronts there in a odd front and even front, and they're stepping a little bit to try to keep Liberty off balance.

 Oh boy. This is trouble. Reece Rettig is down after that last play tried to make it back to the huddle and he went down and oh, he just hate to see this. As we take another look at it.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Really hard to tell on that replay. Maybe his leg just got caught underneath of him a little bit. I think he's walking off and if I know Rettig, there's not a doubt in my mind he's going to be back on the field here in a few plays. He's the he's the guy that makes this engine go and he is the ultimate competitor. As we referred to. He wants back on the field. He understands the implications and his role in the outcome of this game.

 His backup is Emerson Berner Berner, a junior 11 of 17 this year. He has played in some spot duties in some lopsided games this year, and he's going to come out throwing. How about this? He'll check down to Beaver makes the catch. Beaver up ahead. Picks up the first down. Scott Chandler backup quarterback. That doesn't change a thing. They keep it throwing Beaver a first down.

 Liberty does a really good job. The offensive line of keeping him clean to allow those receivers to come open. Now they're going fast.

 They swing it out back to back catches. Beaver has a little bit of a pocket to midfield. Another first down. Knocked out of bounds. Here comes a late flag. 15 more will be tacked on.

 Now you saw right there what Liberty is really good at the perimeter blocking. You watch both receivers do an outstanding job of fitting up those blocks on the perimeter. And there was a lane for Beavers then to accelerate.

 Following the play. We have a dead ball personal foul defense. Number 22. 15 yards will be added to the end of the run. First down.

 Coppola getting there late. See Beaver into the white and Coppola delivered the boom just a split second late with it right in front of the Liberty Bench.

 Please set the play clock to 30s four zero. Thank you.

 How about the job by Berner here a couple of passes out of the bullpen for the injured Rettig, both of them. Number 38. The junior Brody Beaver. And this is the deepest that the Lightning have penetrated tonight. First down, looking right all the way. Swings. It, tries to hit the screen. And not that time.

 Looked like a too long to develop for a screen. Typically on a screen like that, you want to get the ball out fast. That's a long time for a receiver to try to hold a block on the perimeter like that. Unless you're having some kind of action, but he just he takes too long to make that throw. And as a result, that defender was able to shed that block and come off and make a great tackle in space.

 Second down and 12 at the 30 yard line. Trips left for the Lightning already inside. Five minutes to go until halftime. Now a slant over the middle. Oh, off. A perfectly thrown ball by Emerson Berner and Pryor Reiners normally reels those types of passes in.

 That was a great throw. He really threaded. That's the only place you could throw that ball. Watch how he anticipated that. That was a really nice throw. Unfortunately, just slightly ahead of Reiners there, unable to bring it in. But also as an opportunity to soften up that Dowling defense a little bit. Big third and long situation here for Liberty.

 They go empty. Third down looking over the middle. They set up the screen slipping away. Schroeder and Schroeder diving ahead will be about a yard and a half shy. The screen game, whether it's outside that time, a little middle screen action, they can hit you from all angles.

 Really good job of making the defender miss there from Dowling and getting positive yardage, and now have a decision to make here. Fourth and a yard or two. Looks like they're going to go for it. But a great drive that they've been able to sustain and capitalize and convert on some third down here. Big play here in the course of this game.

 They line up. They're going to have to hustle play clock to 2 to 1. And he just did get the snap off that. It just seemed rush coach for such a big play.

 Yes it did. They just kind of ran out of time there. And it seemed like they panicked. Ran a toss sweep to this compressed side, this bunch side. And Dowling did a really good job of coming up and setting that edge, turning it back in and making a play a tackle in front of the first down marker there. Now take over on downs. Now it's time for this Liberty defense to bow up.

 That was Ryan Bobo who made the play. One of the leaders up front for Dolly. So a nine play, 60 yard drive comes up empty. Dowling goes back to work with Middleton. First year being the focal point in the backfield. Really was a fullback in the past. They talked about his growth. He is where he is because of his work ethic. Nobody works harder than Ian Middleton and he has been rewarded fullback early in his career and now he's the main guy and he's a load to bring down to 215 pounds.

 He certainly is short and now this is a this is where you want to put them. If you're liberty in these longer situations.

 Second down right back to Middleton. Look at the vision cutting back and forth the lateral movement, finding a little bit of daylight.

 That inside zone that's key is to have a back that's patient enough to allow those blocks to take shape. Some backs, especially at the high school level, don't have the patience or the vision. Middleton has that and he's able. That's why he's been able to make some of these big runs, because he's cutting back because of that ability to be patient and let those blocks take place.

 Having a big first half, 12 carries, 88 yards already for Middleton third down. Here comes Liberty. They pick it up one on one coverage downfield and they just missed Jeffery Roberts. They had the one on one matchup they wanted with Laubenthal as Liberty brought the extra defenders in. But Nahas a bit strong with the throw.

 Yeah, just a tad out in front of him there. He's been playing strictly a lot of man coverage here and they're going to have more opportunities like this because certainly Liberty is gearing up to stop the run.

 Off the side of his foot. High kick but no distance to it. And the Lightning will take over in great shape. Just the 20 yard punt Liberty to begin at the Dowling 48 Scott Chandler year two for Liberty. And what a career he had. It all started at the University of Iowa, and he took his talents to the next level. Selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft, went on to play for the Cowboys. The Giants, the bills and the Patriots. And now here he is along the sideline as a head coach, manages his own real estate investment company outside of coaching, but the passion, the relationship that he has built with the community and these players, and they have put together really two good seasons. Watch out. Bobo delivered the boom.

 Bobo is such an active player off the edge there and just simply beat the tackle and you can see it on your screen here comes off the edge and blindsides the quarterback. And they just brought three guys in. So another opportunity here for this Liberty offense to assert themselves and get something established here with the short field.

 Emerson Berner his second series in there for the injured Rettig on second down over the middle pass is caught but tackled immediately Joel Sankoh the South Dakota State commit with the stop.

 Good pitch and catch there. Just a simple timing route that time threw it on. Time was protected really well.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Third down and six. You keep an eye on the clock inside. Two minutes to go, Liberty with a couple of Time-outs. Dowling has all three. Lightning two of six on third down tonight.

 [APPLAUSE]

 A flag is thrown. Looked like the slot receiver had a head start. Laubenthal.

 Yeah, now we're in a third and ten situation. This lends itself to Dowling, you know. Now you know, drawing up a blitz type of a package. See Rettig running on the sidelines here. Not sure you know what his status is, but I'm surprised if he's running and he looks like he's eager to get back on the field. So. But here with the third and.

 Part of the snap false.

 Start, third and ten situation, we'll see what Liberty decides to do.

 Penalty. Third down.

 They actually call it on Reiners.

 When there's under two minutes in either half. The offended team gets to choose if they want to start the clock on the snap. In that situation, they have not chosen that. So we'll start it on the ready.

 Pryor Reiners, the son of Randy Reiners a familiar name. The Iowa quarterback in the late 90s. He's had a good year, 52 catches coming in third down and 11. And now movement by the guard Sertterh and self-destruction late in this first half by Liberty. All of a sudden.

 Penalty third down.

 With the new quarterback. Sometimes the cadence is a little bit different. The timing. And so typically those linemen are used to hearing Rettig voice. And that that tempo might just be off slightly. And that's the result of some of these false start penalties.

 Tall order now for the junior off the bench. Third down and long. Here comes Dowling. They bring one linebacker. They swing it out near side Beaver with a lot of work to do. Makes the catch and he is shouldered out of bounds by Sankoh. They get back close to the original line of scrimmage. Will bring up a fourth down clock, will stop as he was knocked out.

 Yeah, good decision there. Just checked it down to Beaver was swinging out of the backfield there, able to recoup some of that yardage that they lost on the two penalties. So it looks like they're going to call a time out here. Decide whether they're going to punt this away or go for it. Really a difficult decision. You know at the minute seven left. Do you give Dowling the ball. You know with a short field or do you punt it away and play the field position game and be comfortable going into the locker room down ten to nothing.

 Stay connected with Iowa PBS sports, no matter where you're watching from. Join the conversation. Follow us on Facebook and X and use hashtag Iowa PBS sports to enjoy the championships with other fans. So coach, you look at this situation for Iowa City Liberty. Just not a lot of film with Emerson Berner. We both have been impressed with what we have seen, but how does that change the offense and the dynamic that Rettig brings?

 It changes it a lot. As you can see, he doesn't have some of the same skills that Rettig does, especially extending plays, and it appears to me that they're more contented of just having him sit in the pocket and distribute the football from his quarterback position. And I'm not saying that limits what they do, but it certainly handicaps to a certain degree some of the things that they come into this game planning to do.

 Rettig still on the sideline. He is up among the other players on the bench moving but not able to go right now. And they keep the offense out there. Fourth down Berner fires. It's caught a first down to the 32. They need an eight. They pick up 14 Clerry with the catch.

 Really impressed with his ability to sit in the pocket. Watch how he sits in the pocket. The pocket is collapsing. He sits there, waits for that receiver to come open and delivers a strike. Great throw.

 Six for six for Berner off the bench. They swing it out now. Beaver popped in the backfield. He loses a couple of yards. That was Sankoh.

 Boy, Dowling's doing a really good job in the secondary of coming up on the screen game. The swing that time it looked like though they were those receivers instead of blocking were going that he had that opportunity to throw the ball deep but elected to check it down.

 Second down and 16 in motion is Schroeder 20s to go winding down this first half. Berner hit as he throws pressure came from the backside. That was Anthony Bonanno. Let's keep in mind both of these teams with really good kickers. Collin Weis ten of 12 this year. 43 is as long, so Liberty can go over the middle and try to set up a field goal opportunity for their senior kicker.

 Great point Sean. Maybe that's what they may do here with one Time-out remaining, it feels like with just bringing three guys, Dowling is able to get some pressure, especially off the edge and even from inside the pocket there. And whether Liberty decides to max protect a little bit more, keep more guys in to protect. But they are certainly being able to push the pocket and enforce an early throw.

 Boy, they have to use the Time-out, so throw out the strategy of going over the middle that one could hurt. And again, you have a new quarterback in there, a lot of different type of communication. We will keep an eye on that. Don't forget taking adventure with Iowa PBS on Road Trip Iowa. Join host Brooke Kohlsdorf as we travel to states, highways and scenic byways exploring the history, culture and natural beauty along the way. Road trip Iowa Wednesdays at 630, Saturdays at 9 a.m. on Iowa PBS or stream online anytime.

 Great point. This does limit their ability now to utilize the middle of the field. If they are going to throw something, it's either down into the end zone or to the sidelines. They cannot give up a sack in this situation.

 Third down and 16. Just 14 seconds to go until halftime. Dowling drops eight into coverage. Berner along the sideline. Pass is caught. Terrific throw. And now they are well within the range of Collin Weis. This kid has a lively arm.

 This is a great throw here. Watch the timing come back and he throws it to the outside. Great pitch and catch there. He runs it just past the sticks. Great execution.

 16 yards on the completion to Reiners and they keep the offense out there with eight seconds. Again they do not have a Time-out. Berner hanging in the pocket. Hit as he throws and the wobbler falls incomplete with two seconds to go.

 Brought pressure and brought two. I think they even dropped a guy that time that you have to, you know, give credit to Dowling for being able to get pressure with only bringing three. See the two guys from the edge are converging on the quarterback. There.

 39 yard field goal for Collin Weis, who is ten of 12 this year. And Dowling will use a time-out.

 Time-out. Dowling. That's their first charge Time-out of the half.

 Well, Chandler was aggressive throwing the football with only eight seconds and maybe missing an opportunity to get a late three here. But trying to set up his kicker and a little bit better position.

 Give credit to here to Liberty. Were able to convert on some third and fourth downs here. Had a long yardage situation that they converted on with the deep comeback. This is a real unique opportunity to cash in on some points here at the end of the first half and grab some momentum going into halftime.

 You look at the numbers in this first half, Berner off the bench, eight of 12 for 54 yards. Beaver six rushes, 26 yards. Schroeder has been the main weapon along with Beaver out of the backfield. Each of those players with five catches in this first half. It's been the Middleton show offensively for Dowling. 12 carries, 88 yards. But to be quite honest, it's been the Liberty offense out there a lot in the second quarter.

 Certainly have. That's why this is important here to capitalize here. And we've got another time-out trying to freeze the kicker.

 Time-out.

 Dowling Wilson will utilize another time-out and give Collin Weis plenty of time to think about this. Kick.

 Sean, I've been really impressed with Berner being put in a real difficult situation with Rettig going down and has been really doing a great job of orchestrating this offense, making some timely throws, even experiencing duress from the Dowling defense in that front that's been able to get some pressure, staying poised in the pocket, making good decisions with the football. And it says a lot about the coaching staff having trust in Berner to put him in those situations where ultimately he can thrive and continue to not abandon the game plan, but just simply revise it to play to his strengths.

 A 2 to 1 advantage in total plays ran in this first half. Liberty 34 plays from the line of scrimmage compared to Dowling 17 time of possession. Nearly 14 minutes for the Lightning compared to eight minutes for the Maroons. We are trying to get Liberty on the board here right before halftime, 39 yards, good low kick line drive and it is good. No style points, but nobody cares. It's all about getting it through and Collin Weis got it through 39 yards.

 I think in golf they referred to that as like a stinger right. And that's it served its purpose. And this is a big momentum. You know opportunity here to cash in on three right before the end of the half. And you have to give credit for this Liberty team just sticking around staying around, continuing to you know in the midst of losing Rettig here for the better part of the second quarter. Still doing what they do. You know, executing on the offensive end and not bending and breaking on the defensive end.

 First half in the books. Dowling out in front. Middleton has been the guy, 215 pound senior with a touchdown run ten three as we hit halftime from Cedar Falls.

 [MUSIC]

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 Halftime here at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Pretty good contest here. Gather the kids around. Tell them about the Hall of Fame class that you're about to meet. Because some of these guys can really play football. Let's go down and meet this year's Hall of Fame class.

 The Iowa high School Athletic Association is proud to bring you this halftime to induct 2025 honorees under the official Hall of Fame and the Football Hall of Fame. Presentations will be made by the IHSAA Board of Control. We begin with the Officials Hall of Fame. Tonight honoring is Lawton Bronson graduate with over 30 years of experience across northwest Iowa. His experience spans baseball, football and basketball, including 32 baseball seasons, 20 state tournaments, nine championship games, plus 25 years of college baseball. He has also worked 25 football postseasons and three state basketball tournaments for the Athletic Association. Joined tonight by his family and crew members. Please welcome to the Hall of Fame, Mark Harris.

 [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]

 Next, we recognize the 2025 selection for the IHSAA Football Hall of Fame. Tonight we have six former players who were nominated by their schools, selected by our Hall of Fame committee and approved by the board for induction. Our first Football Hall of Fame honoree was a two way standout at Waverly-shell Rock from 1972 to 1974, leading the Go Hawks in tackles and scoring as a junior and senior.

 [MUSIC]

 He earned all state honors on both sides of the ball, was a Scholastic Prep All-American, and went on to start four years at the University of Iowa, ranking him on the Big Ten leaders in tackles for loss. Joined tonight by his family and former coach and teammates. Please welcome to the Football Hall of Fame, Doug Benscoter.

 [MUSIC]

 Our next Hall of Famer was a three year starter on both lines for Williamsburg from 2008 to 2010, earning two All-State selections and parade All-American honorable mention at Iowa, he became a four year starter and team captain, then started 66 games over seven NFL seasons, including Super Bowl 53. Since retiring from the NFL, he serves as William Burges head football coach, joined tonight by his family. Please welcome to the Hall of Fame, Austin Blythe.

 [MUSIC]

 Our next Hall of Fame honoree was a record breaking quarterback for Cherokee from 2005 to 2008, graduating as Iowa's all time leader in passing yards and completions. He threw for more than 9000 yards and completed 755 passes as a four year varsity player, a three time all state selection, he led the Braves to multiple playoff appearances while helping usher in Iowa's spread offense. E.R.A. Joined tonight by his family, please welcome to the Football Hall of Fame, Tyler Jones. Our next Hall of Fame honoree was a three year starter at running back and returner for the Waterloo East. He topped 1000 rushing yards in both his junior and senior seasons, and breaking the school rushing record held by his father, Jerry Moses. Senior at Iowa State. He earned first team All-Big 12 honors and helped deliver the program's first bowl victory. He went on to become one of NFL's top return specialists across four seasons, joined tonight by his family and friends. Please welcome back to the Cedar Valley and into the Hall of Fame. JJ Moses.

 [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]

 Our next Hall of Fame honoree was one of the nation's top recruited quarterbacks, throwing for over 3100 yards and 24 touchdowns at Southeast Polk. At Purdue, he passed for nearly 9000 yards, earned All-Big ten honors, and went on to a ten year NFL career where he collected 81 starts. He has returned back home, now coaching quarterbacks in the southeast. Polk program, joined tonight by his family. Please welcome to the Football Hall of Fame, Kyle Orton.

 [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE]

 Our final Hall of Fame honoree was a two time all state linebacker, three time all conference pick at West Hancock, rushing for over 3000 yards while leading West Hancock to three playoff seasons at Central College. He was a two time NCAA Division three All-American, three time All Iowa Conference pick, and Gagliardi Trophy finalist, finishing with 373 tackles and program record of 24 in a single game. Joined tonight by his family, please welcome to the Football Hall of Fame, Rick Senger.

 [MUSIC]

 And again, a round of applause for all our inductees tonight. Mark Harris, Doug Benscoter, Austin Blythe, Tyler Jones, JJ Moses, Kyle Orton and Rick Senger.

 Congratulations to that Hall of Fame class. Rick, who played for his father at West Hancock and a lot of great players there. And there was one that we did show you that was Kyle Orton, by the way. Thanks, Nate. Great job narrating if I didn't get a shout out to you there, I'd be in trouble. Kyle Orton you saw there on the field. He is assistant coaching at Southeast Polk right now. And Scott Chandler is at Iowa City Liberty. We've seen him a lot during this contest here, but there's some other former college and NFL players from Iowa who have returned as high school coaches, including Brad Meester, who played here at the University of Northern Iowa and for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's now head coach at Mount Vernon. And then there's this guy named Dallas Clark. You remember him? He played for the Hawkeyes in one Super Bowl 41 with the Indianapolis Colts. Dallas now is an assistant for Humboldt head coach Derek Ellman. We had a chance to catch up with Dallas recently. He spoke with us earlier this season about his experience there.

 Yeah, to me, be able to see like something in them that they don't see in themselves. That is like the most powerful thing as a coach. And I just think I think all the great ones that do it truly understand that part.

 During yesterday's class A championship game, we ran a Half-Time feature with both Scott Chandler and Brad Meester about their full circle journeys as players from high school to the NFL, and then into coaching. If you missed it, you can find it on iowapbs.org or on our YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram pages. We're at halftime here. Of the five, a championship game. It's Dowling Catholic from West Des Moines, ten Liberty from Iowa City three. We'll be back in a moment to bring you highlights from the first half here on statewide Iowa PBS.

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 Halftime here at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The literary band trying to strike up some scores for their team. They trail the Maroons of Dowling Catholic ten three at halftime. And I'll tell you what. Pretty good first half here on Paul Yeager. Back up here at the sports desk on site in a new venue. Glad that you have been here with us. We'll tell you a little bit more about what's to come in a moment. But first, let's show you these first half highlights between these two games. Really good hard fought battle. Early on it was Ian Middleton for the Maroons getting the rock a lot. He carried it on one drive. Seven times for 50 yards. And then this one. He broke through. Finally. There he goes. Runs right out of you. But into the end zone. That's a 25 yard score. 12 carries, 88 yards for him in the first half. And then Reece Reddick the quarterback for Liberty comes up limping just a little bit. And he's replaced by Henry Elzer who would throw a pass on his first attempt and would get close and Liberty would get a field goal to pull it to a one score game. Here's a look at the stats. You can see very, very even there in total yards passing yards though Dowling's just not been able to connect on those deep passes 88 to 3. That's a big stat right there. First downs. Liberty has the advantage. And they also have the biggest one of all right now. And that is the time of possession. Of course the score is the biggest one. But those are some of those stats will break them down here in just a minute. When we go back upstairs. But I do want to let you know this contest is available worldwide wherever you can watch. And I do want to say this is our final halftime for this year's Iowa High School Athletic Association football championships on statewide Iowa PBS. I want to thank you for joining us. It's been an amazing couple of days here. But guess what? We're not done yet. We have one half of football to go. I'm going to set this mic down, go down to the field. I'll see you in the postgame. We'll have some interviews there. But first when we come back, we'll go to Shawn Kenney and Kevin Miller. They're off to a great start. Two more quarters to go here in Class 5A at the Iowa High School Athletic Association championships. Back in a moment here on Iowa PBS.

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 [MUSIC]

 Both teams back out of the locker room. It is Dowling Catholic ten Liberty three from Iowa City. Halftime. Second half. Right around the corner Shawn Kenney alongside Hall of Fame coach Kevin Miller. Coach. Football is a funny game. You look at this first half. Liberty has a 2 to 1 edge and total plays ran. They have a 2 to 1 edge in time of possession. Dowling has had three offensive series in the first half, yet it's the Maroons up by seven.

 It has certainly been a reversal of roles coming into the game. We fully anticipated and even Coach Wilson had mentioned we want to possess the football keeping that high octane, offensive liberty off the field, and it's been a turnabout here. Where now Liberty is ultimately ran more plays, had more time of possession. Outstanding job.

 A couple of notes to keep an eye on as we move into the second half. The health of Reece Rettig, who we saw leave this game early in the second quarter. His backup, Emerson Berner did a terrific job. Eight of 12 for 54 yards off the bench for Berner for Dowling, who will get the football first to start this second half. Their offense ran through number five. Ian Middleton 12 carries, 88 yards. He has the lone touchdown. Both teams exchanging field goals. Rettig trying to get loose on the bike as Sa'ar Iowa City Liberty hoping he can come back out there after the season that he has had so responsible for all the success that they have enjoyed this year and he is the commander of this team, his presence, his confidence, his leadership ability and we will see if he is going to be able to go in this third quarter.

 That is certainly the story line here in the second half. Rettig is a player that has had over 3000 total yards on the year, and without his presence, it changes the dynamics of your offense. Now. Credit to Berner the offense for doing a really nice job there in the second quarter. You know, cashing in on that field goal. But in the second half, he's been the guy that has really made things happen for this Liberty team, especially on offense. And I can't foresee him not playing in the second half. But that's going to be a story line here.

 Finn O'Toole trying to keep it away from both Drexler and Roberts, and the kick goes out of bounds. Pete Hanson. So Dowling will get good starting position.

 35 yard line. First down.

 An offense. When they have been on the field, they have been good and this offensive line has opened up some holes and Ian Middleton entering today 1500 rushing yards over 1500. He has been the guy that Liberty has had a tough time stopping.

 Dowling is averaging eight yards a carry, so I fully anticipate they're going to get back to running the inside zone.

 And right on cue, that is what they do. And it's the same result five six yards. The first down production throughout the years for Tom Wilson. You want to play winning football. Stay on schedule and you get those positive yards. And don't get behind the sticks. Second down. Quiet first half for Nahas throwing the football. He attempted only three passes. Here comes Liberty. They bring everybody up the middle and they timed it beautifully. Nowhere to go for Middleton.

 Liberty had eight bodies. There. Inside the box and they have fully committed to stopping the run. Now that leaves a lot of one on one opportunities with two dynamic playmakers on the perimeter in Roberts and Drexler.

 Yeah, it is man on man at the bottom of the screen. Pryor Reiners Logan Laubenthal Sam Drexler Jeffrey Roberts for Dowling. Third down opening drive of the second half. Schmulbach offset by the lead block. Here goes Middleton. And he is dropped shy of the first down. It's extremely close. Snowed under at the 44.

 Inside zone again. You're you watch that offensive line. And the key to inside blocking is working in tandem with that adjacent lineman. And they do such a great job. This has always been a staple of Dowling football running inside and outside zone. Don't run many gap schemes. They just do what they do. But they do it really well.

 Deafening inside the UNI-Dome now. Fourth down Middleton up the middle and he will pick up the first down, torpedoing ahead to the 46. They had penetration from Schroeder. He slowed him down. When you get a 215 pounder going downhill, he's going to fall forward.

 It doesn't take much with the back two 215 pounds. You see it right here. Just puts those pads down. They brought Schroeder Schroeder off the edge there but just couldn't get him before he got to the line of scrimmage.

 Middleton approaching 100 yards tonight, 15 carries, 98. Nahas is going to throw out. Pattern is caught. First catch of the day for Sam Drexler. And here comes a flag. A hand got up around the facemask.

 Great timing out there. Max protected that threw it right on time. Excellent execution from Dowling in the pass game.

 Personal foul face mask defense. Number four. 15 yards will be added to the end of the run. First down.

 Sam Drexler is going to be very comfortable in this building.

 At least.

 You and I hope so. As you see the face mask. Reiners getting the hand up. Yeah, that's a bad one. 15 yards tacked on. Drexler will play for the Uni Panthers. He is committed to uni, so this soon will be his stomping grounds in the not too distant future. First down from the 27 Middleton trying to stretch it. He has the room and now there he goes to the ten five touchdown. Dowling!

 That time Dowling runs. They've been hammering inside zone. Now they run outside zone. Liberty is unable to set that edge and get it turned back in. And that's one of the things about outside zone. They had a lot of bodies stacked inside the box. There. Dowling has two tight ends. I call that a ace formation, right? Two tight ends. So they got seven bodies in there. Great. You see how the reach block in their set? They do such a great job of reaching that edge. And Middleton has a highway to the end zone.

 This is two straight weeks. And Tom Wilson talked about it with us on our call that a lot of people knocked Ian Middleton because maybe he's not the fastest, but I think the last couple of weeks, from what we saw in the semifinals and you saw the burst of speed there, speed not an issue for Middleton.

 No, not at all. He got around that edge. There. And once he got those shoulder pads north and south, he exploded around the edge and always been a myself, been a big outside zone guy because you can either open up the gap horizontally or vertically, displace it. And what happens when you run? All it takes is one guy, an outside zone, not doing his job and getting him out of position. And at that time there wasn't a defender outside to set the edge and turn that back into the inside out. You know, guys were pursuing from there linebacker positions and that's what outside zone or stretch does. It lends itself to widening that gap horizontally. And it takes one person not keeping that gap. And this gap responsible integrity for a big play to happen. And that was the case there on that long run.

 So Dowling comes out swinging after the break. Two programs when you look at the history 100 years between the origins of these two schools, Liberty opening up in Iowa City in 2017, the current Dowling campus opening up in 1972. But the original all the way back in 1918 and the rich heritage of Dowling football throughout the years. This kick sails through the end zone over the head of Clerry for the touchback.

 It appears that Reddings, in the huddle and going to be the guy here in the second half. That's great to see. Great to see him back out on the field and I see them putting the ball in his hands and allowing him to do what he does best, and that's using his legs and his arm and allowing him to use his creative skills.

 We will keep an eye on him, see if there's any after effects, if his game has changed because of the injury, relies on his feet so much. He has a great arm, but the feet part of his lethalness as an offensive player. From the 20 yard line, fourth time that Liberty has started from the 20. They will hand it off and now they swing it out on a pass to Beaver. Beaver can't find any crevice again. They just don't. Over pursue. It is so fundamentally sound it's tough to run gadgets on a defense like Dowling.

 It's called discipline. At the end of the day, they they read their keys, they react so well to what they're seeing. They stay home on the backside, you know, obviously their eyes are important, but they don't allow their eyes to wander and then be out of position.

 That was Jeremiah Roberson staying home on that last play. The junior you saw Beaver leave the field, losing a shoe jet sweep to the boundary side, sprinting up ahead to the 27. Go Schroeder tackled on the play by Jackson Miller.

 Great pursuit for Miller from the inside out. And what you're seeing from Rettig that you didn't see from Berner as Rettig is able to audible, he's making adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Berner wasn't necessarily doing that. He was going with the play call.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Lightning three of eight on third downs. They need to get it to the 30. Their first touch of the football in this second half, we saw Dowling march it down the field a few moments ago. Largest deficit of the night design run. He'll test that leg as he cautiously works his way up. He'll be two yards shy. Brought down at the 28 by Myls Elcock.

 Looked like it was a designed quarterback run. Dowling does a great job of converging on Rettig there. Looks like they're going to possibly go for it here with fourth and short.

 Keep an eye on number 90 for the Maroons Ryan Bobo. He has a nose for the football on these types of plays. Fourth down and Scott Chandler is going to use the Time-out.

 Liberty. That's their first charge. Time out of the half.

 Yeah, probably a good Time-out in this situation. Want to think this over? This is a pivotal play. Call. You don't convert here on fourth down. Dowling has a really short field. And so I'm sure they're trying to you know determine do we want to put the football away. Play defense or do we want to try to convert on this fourth down. Because we know that this is also a pivotal point in the game, because if we punt the ball back to Dowling, in all likelihood they're going to grind the football, try to maintain it and run the clock, and then you're limited in the amount of possessions that you're going to have. And you hate to think that way. When it comes to seven minutes left in the third quarter. But when you have a team that is known for their power run game, you have to think that our possessions might be limited as this game continues to proceed into the end of the third quarter and into the fourth.

 Big decision. Let's see what Chandler decides and who he sends out. And it will be the offensive unit. So fourth down and two. Scott Chandler knows his team may be in a vulnerable position trying to get a lightning rod and a fourth down conversion might be that rod option. Look, he'll pitch it to the outside. Beaver a first down and then some as he cracks up ahead to the 36. A little speed option there from Rettig. Good timing. On the option, look to Beaver and gambler Chandler. The riverboat gambler right now and it pays off.

 You see the lead option here. Beaver does a great job, a strong runner.

 Quick throw and Schroeder is met. Initially.

 Dowling has done such a tremendous job of defending those perimeter screens, getting off blocks, and really making those timely tackles in space. Those are difficult blocks to get off of, and then form up a great, skilled player in space.

 Yeah, these corners with Watson we've seen Sankoh, Roberson, they've all been up to the challenge of being tested outside. They just rally to the football so well, second down and ten. Ball on the far hash at the 36. They pull a lineman. It's a fake though as they throw it. Little play action. They pulled the big left guard. Sertterh trying to catch the linebackers a little flat footed.

 Little RPO run. They pull backside guard and tackle. He's reading that outside support player. That backer comes in, he's throwing off of him and throws a slant right behind it. Great execution there.

 Now they go tempo for the first time. Rettig on the out pattern. It's dropped in and out of the hands. He had it broken up on the play once again by Watson as Clerry could not control it. And here we go again. Another fourth down.

 Another fourth down opportunity. Liberty has done a really good job of converting on these fourth downs. That was a staple at the end of the second quarter and here we go again with another fourth and two opportunity.

 Line to get the 46. Three of five tonight Rettig changing up the play. Two receivers left Landon Bell Adrian Clerry two to the right of Rettig Beaver in the backfield. They run the option. Same play they converted on a few moments ago. A flag is thrown as Beaver has the first down up near midfield, but there is a flag down in the backfield.

 Looks like a possible clip here. A block in the back. That's what it kind of appeared. And right in front of the Dowling bench.

 Personal foul. Illegal blindside block offense. Number 315 yards from the previous spot. Replay fourth down.

 That was a point of emphasis coming into the season. The blindside block and Liberty gets tagged with one.

 Yeah and I understand you know why that rule is in place to protect players. You know obviously he was coming down to crack that support player and he didn't see him. And when you throw that block you certainly put yourself at risk.

 Wholesale changes both ways. You see Dowling scrambling to get there. But return unit on the field. And because of the scramble, they're forced to use a Time-out.

 Yeah, that was a quick transition there from Liberty running on their punt team, forcing a time-out. Now this is a big. Here looking at the replay here.

 The block from Schroeder. And it was Blount who absorbed the contact. And this crowd getting a another look at it up at the jumbotron.

 Yeah. An interesting call. You know that's a judgment call. You know. And there's some gray area in that right at the end of the day, you always rule on behalf of the player and the safety of the player. And I understand what that rules in place. That's a tough call in that situation there. And unfortunately Liberty is going to have to punt this away. And they're going to have to really try to minimize the amount of plays Dowling runs here on this drive. They need to try to ultimately get a three and out. They can't allow them to maintain the football here, especially for the duration of this third quarter.

 This is a Liberty team that made it all the way to the semifinals last year. Scott Chandler felt they were so close a season ago, had a talented team. They were a little rattled after jumping out to a quick lead tonight, playing from behind. Dangerous pick up there on the return and tackled in his tracks. Sam Drexler following the punt of 40 yards downfield. Reiners was right there to greet him.

 Great coverage by Liberty there and that's one of those, you know, opportunities from Drexler. Do you let that go if you can't field it in the air? Risky. But at the same time, if you let that go, you're talking another 1015 yards of yardage.

 Tom Wilson's Maroons have led from the start tonight. 17 three is Nahas comes out. Play fake on first down the slant. There's Jeffrey Roberts and there he goes. Start the stopwatch. Touchdown Dowling.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Yeah a little RPO action or as a bubble slant. It was very well executed. And when you play man coverage like that all it takes is to make one guy miss and there's no one left and makes a guy miss. You can see it right here on your screen. Fakes. Here's the slant. And ultimately with that speed and his dynamic athleticism, that's tough for a corner to be able to to man up a dynamic football player that has the ability to take the top off, but also quick enough to, you know, take a slant, a hitch to the to the house.

 He caught a 69 yarder last week to put Dowling up in the third quarter. Tonight it is a 67 yard strike. Giuffre Roberts, who has committed to Iowa State, transferred in from Ames and he has made his presence felt. Hey, take a look at this upcoming schedule on Iowa PBS girls state wrestling in early February, the boys state wrestling championship on February 21st. Always a special night. Then we move on to the hardwood. In March, the girls state tournament March 6th and seventh, and we cap it off during the winter sports season with boys basketball. March 13th. Catch all the action right here on Iowa PBS.

 Now we're going to see how Liberty responds. This is a key drive here. Critical point in the game where Liberty is going to have to convert into some points. Here things are starting to get away from them. Dowling has the momentum now. How does Liberty respond?

 You go back to Jeffrey Roberts and talking with Tom Wilson. Extremely high praise. He said he has not seen a player like Roberts who can get separation like he has. I mean, you think of all the great players to come through. Dowling. That was a resounding statement. He told the both of us.

 Yeah, there's been some pretty dynamic players come from Dowling. So that is a pretty bold statement. And obviously Tom knows football. So that that says something about his ability to make make plays.

 He says he's still so raw and so much talent. That's football. Like it should be still out in front of him and his career. So bright.

 Those two receivers, you knew it was going to be a matter of time when you are playing man coverage against two. Speedsters who have the ability to make big plays not only in the vertical passing game, but in the short and intermediate game screen game. They have the ability at any point in time to make a big play, and that was certainly the case there on that slant.

 Liberty taking in some water. Right now, they're in trouble. 521 to go. Third quarter down three. Scores. They start this drive from the 2120 yard line on the inside slant pass is caught man a huge hit put on. And how about the concentration there by Cooper Lester. That was Coppola who came in headhunting that time.

 Simple slant I've been thoroughly impressed with Dowling secondary coming up on run support and tackling in space in the pass game. Outstanding tackle.

 That's a gutsy catch by Lester. He knew he was going to pay the price. Now pressure comes from Bobo Rettig running for his life. Throws it along the near side. Incomplete. He was looking for Schroeder.

 [APPLAUSE]

 One of the things that Rettig does again is extend those plays. Breaks the pocket. There ball was slightly high. Defender looked like he got there a little bit early, but not sure that ball was catchable.

 Rettig was knocked out of this game early on in the second quarter. It has been him every snap in this third quarter, ten of 12 tonight, 49 yards. Third down and three. Rettig looks again. Fires over the middle to tall Schroeder pleading his case for a flag. He won't get one. And Dowling is forced yet another fourth down and see the emotional fire from Rettig.

 Yeah, again. This is a critical point in the game, and you can't allow the emotions of the game to impact your ability to perform.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Fourth down Brady Hagan moves over the nose of the football as the nose tackle the two ends. Bobo at the top. Dowling will send a backer as well. Rettig zips it over the middle and it's caught. Man, he threw a dart that time and a first down. They convert on fourth down the pass caught by Tate Rettig the young sophomore.

 Great conversion there. Steps up in the pocket and delivers a bullet.

 Rettig wanted to go toward the sideline now, dancing around. Keeps his balance, keeps his eyes downfield, and he spots his receiver. And then another jarring hit from Dowling. Jackson Miller boy, they bring the lumber, don't they?

 They certainly do. And that has been one of the things that have really stood out today is the aggressiveness and the physicality of this Dowling defense. They fly around to the football, but they're still so sound. Fundamentally, they play assignment football. They're in good position, but they arrive with bad intentions.

 Second down a long yard clock moving inside. Four minutes to go. Rettig flushed. Throws while he's being hit and it falls incomplete. Dropped on the play by Bonanno.

 Able to get pressure that time with their front four. They brought a backer along with the the three down linemen. Rettig does such a great job of escaping again. Can't. Emphasize enough. There was a little face there. Just got underneath of it a little bit, but did a great job of just getting that ball away and not taking the sack.

 Third down. They set up a little receiver screen. Finally some room to run and a first down. One of the biggest plays of the night for Iowa City Liberty all the way to the 29 yard line. Quick hitter that time 26 more yards as Adrian Clerry able to get loose.

 That time, they did a much better job of blocking on the perimeter. Now they're really going fast here with their no huddle.

 Wanted the double move, but he can't get rid of Bobo and here comes his buddy Bonanno. Huge loss on the play. Back near midfield. And now they're going to say it was a fumble. Dowling gets the takeaway. These two ends are fantastic.

 They certainly are. They. You watch them come off the edge here. And Bobo just does a great job of staying with him. He's relentless. Credit to Rettig. He's just trying to make a play there and unfortunately just lost control of the football there. Now short field, great field position for Dowling. Anticipate the run game. Grinding the clock here.

 The tag team of Bonanno and Bobo. They have been nightmares for the opposition's backfield all season long. Bonanno Tom Wilson says the most improved player throughout the course of the season. Hop skipping into the hole. First touch of the day for Grayson Pennington the young sophomore who we saw in the semifinals against Valley. He got in a couple of carries spelling Ian Middleton and giving the the big back a breather.

 Yeah, it's great to see a sophomore out there getting some playing time. Just giving Middleton a little bit of a breather here. Maybe the workhorse here in this fourth quarter may want to make sure he's fully recovered to to make this final push to end the game.

 Dowling led by seven at halftime 14 unanswered in this third quarter. It's Pennington over the right side. He lost the ball rolling free and Liberty thinks they have it. And they do. So the Lightning get the football right back.

 Run outside zone. He coughed it up there. Great opportunity here for Liberty to have some great field position.

 Looked like it was Eric Strunk who stripped it. Number 24. Strunk got a piece of it and then Landon Bell was there to pounce on it.

 Opportunistic. And this is what this Liberty offense needed at this point in time, Dowling will occasionally pin and pull. You know that outside zone to get some additional blockers out in front. And that's what they did in that situation. But unfortunately the back put it on the turf.

 Two fumbles in less than a minute. They will hand the ball off trying to stretch it wide. And there goes Beaver one man to beat. That's the safety. He's caught from the backside. Jackson Miller with the pursuit. Beaver takes it for 20 yards.

 Great perimeter run here by Liberty again. Pull two linemen around the edge. Did a really good job of sealing that edge. Dowling that time. Wasn't able to set the edge and turn it back in.

 Eight carries 54 yards for Brody Beaver. Beaver missed some time early in the season. One of the challenges that Liberty had to face early, and this team really got going when he returned from the hamstring injury midway through the year. First down and ten. They get rid of it quickly. Clerry with another catch. Shakes free from the defender and picks up a first down 11 yards to Adrian Clerry, who has been the top target tonight. Five catches now for the junior.

 Great timing route there into the boundary. Clear. Does a great job of making a sound catch and then making a play after the catch. And that's a key at the receiver position is it's one thing to catch a five yard hitch, but then to make that additional five yards or six yards to then move the chains.

 This will be the 51st play for Liberty. Offensively tonight. Only three points to show. Double move. They're looking for Cleary but he could not get any separation from Jordan Watson.

 It looked like he was trying to run a double move there off of play. Action. Made a move to the the post. Broke it off and ran a flag. There. I think he was expecting perhaps a flag. There was a little bit of contact there, but obviously the official saw it differently.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Rettig on second down will hand it off. Beaver nice cut. Pushed out of bounds by Miller again. All of a sudden they're able to get Brody Beaver free on a couple of run plays. What's changing up front for Beaver to get a little bit of daylight?

 Same play design that they ran 3 or 4 plays ago, and Beaver had that big run there, able to get that edge sealed and pulled those two linemen around the edge and ultimately, once again, Dowling needs to be able to come up, contain that, turn it back in to have those linebackers from their inside out position make that play.

 Third down and four. They will fake the jet sweep over the middle they go and it's Beaver again. Now it has a loose football. It was ripped away from him. The ball picked up by Liberty at the five. Let's see if they rule it a catch as we take another look. Little angle route. Yeah that's a catch. That's a strip. And then.

 I'm not so sure he wasn't down, to be honest.

 With you. Wondering as you take another look at it.

 But RPO, where they pulled the guard. He's reading that backer threw off of him on a quick seam. Outstanding execution by Liberty here and going much faster than they have throughout the course of this game.

 Landon Bell with the recovery, they will go right back to the air and the Lightning find the end zone for the first time. Adrian Clerry touchdown Liberty!

 Great execution on that drive. Liberty did a wonderful job of mixing up run and pass RPO screen game perimeter run to keep Dowling off balance and coming into this game, that's I think what we were expecting is to see that type of play designed to attack them horizontally, vertically, RPO screen game much better on that drive. Excellent execution from Liberty.

 Six plays, 59 yards. Took less than 90s off the game clock. And the point after is up and it is through and it's back to a two touchdown game with 56 seconds to go in this third quarter.

 You can see that RPO he's taking that seeing it with the back meshing it. And that outside receiver. There wasn't even an outside defender in that situation. And he once he got inside that corner that was a no brainer. Then he was going to throw off of that. And Liberty does a really good job with RPO action, especially reading those second level defenders and throwing off of them. And that especially being down in the red zone there, you're going to have more bodies in the box and reacting to the to the run and excellent execution there on the touchdown. But overall, that drive was just very well executed and great play design there. Offensive coordinator, along with Coach Chandler do a really good job of keeping teams off balance and forcing you to defend sideline to sideline and play assignment football.

 The offensive coordinator you're talking about Mitch Wieland, who has grown with Chandler throughout the years. Those two extremely tight. Liberty has had the similar number this year. Not too many teams can say that they are perfect. Four and oh. Against the Ciml, including three of those wins coming in the postseason, the quarterfinal win against the defending champs from southeast Polk, 3128. And then last week in the semis over Waukee, northwest 3115. And now here's the onside kick. A bouncer and Dowling jumps on it. Good play. As the ball was traveling the ten yards and the Maroons will take over. Good starting position. That was Hofbauer with the recovery.

 Yeah. Understand the onside kick. Mainly because you got to make something happen. You're down two scores here. Want to try to get the ball back. You've got the momentum now. Important drive for both teams. But especially Liberty here to get a stop. Try to get a three and out. Get them off the field and get your offense back on the field.

 Speaking of dynamic, look who's back out there. Ian Middleton on this first down and it will be Middleton. And there he goes again. Middleton chopped down by Schroeder just as he was ready to reignite and take it to another gear.

 You see how patient a lot.

 Of.

 Watch how he's patient there and then he's bending that back. And that's part of that. That inside zone, that zone design as those linebackers kind of get over the top and the line, you know they come off and chip. Now that backside cutback was there and he's been hitting that now pretty common I think this is the third or fourth time I've seen him hit that back. That cut back late on the backside.

 First down Middleton jumping into the pile on what should be the final play of this third quarter. And coach, when you look at the inside zone, if you're a tailback, you better be patient. You got to let the offensive lineman get the double team on the blocks and you just you just have to know it. You got to show the patience for the hole to develop.

 It.

 It's a special play design and it's special player that's able to to run the inside zone. It truly is got to be patient with great vision and then being able to make the necessary cuts.

 We get ready to march to the fourth Ian Middleton 147 yards on the ground. Roberts has found the end zone. The long touchdown pass, plenty to celebrate. If you're Dowling, the Maroons looking to get back on top of the state.

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 [MUSIC]

 Enjoy!

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 Our joy.

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 Our new joy.

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 Like a symphony. Joy.

 Local, regional and national artists. Take the stage to perform original sets and share their musical journeys on studio three live. Enjoy weekly performances Fridays at 830, online or as a podcast. Everybody having a good time Friday night here in Cedar Falls as we welcome you back one quarter to determine the Class 5A state champion alongside coach Kevin Miller. Shawn Kenney with you. Hope you're enjoying this one. 24 to 10 Dowling with the lead. But the Maroons on the March. And if Ian Middleton wasn't a household name across the state of Iowa before tonight, he now is. He is special.

 He certainly is. And I was trying to recall a back, you know, from a while back from the Pittsburgh Steelers that was the most patient back I've ever seen. Run zone. In fact, I just googled it. Le'Veon Bell. He reminds me a lot of Le'Veon Bell. Just very patient. And then when he gets those pads north and south gets downhill then he is very dangerous. Similar to that situation there where they ran some inside zone that time. He hit it a little bit more explosively. But he's been done. He's done a really good job of just being patient and letting those blocks set up.

 Third down and two Middleton twisting his way. Pretzeling ahead and he should have enough. He stretched the football ahead. Adrian Clerry coming around the corner, tried to slow him down, but again it's low center of gravity. He is so powerful. You're just not going to stop him in his tracks. It's always going to be forward progress. First down Dowling as they approach the red zone. Schmulbach is the fullback in this situation. Checked down as they look over at the offensive coordinator Tom Wilson, who calls the plays, signaling it in first down and ten. They will hand it off and Middleton this time wrapped up. Good job by Landon Bell, one of the team leaders, 65 tackles this year, knifing his way through.

 We've talked about that, defeating zone is about penetration both inside and outside zone. Anytime you can get a back to run horizontally and not get downhill, especially Middleton, you are putting yourself in a really good position.

 Eight tackles tonight for Bell eight's the magic number. Dowling averaging around eight yards per carry. Middleton into the pile. You know we haven't talked a lot about this Dowling offensive line. Let's focus in on them especially at left tackle. Carter Barrett big number 77. He is going to be a special talent. He's only a sophomore, 285 pounds and already just getting a ton of reps from across the country. As far as interest in this big tackle, Josh Miller Kade Krause a two year starter, Evan Mitchell on the right side who played some last year as a freshman. That doesn't happen at Dowling too often, so he's pretty special as well. Max Thomas a right tackle, a first year starter, third down and seven, knifing his way through, slicing and dicing, Middleton rumbling his way close to a first down and the official looks over. First down. Dowling.

 Dowling is just content on grinding the football, getting those 3 or 4 yards and they went to this tight end. Look, this double tight end again ace look or even have sometimes a tight end with a slot to not allow those outside edge players to come flat and be able to make a play on Middleton.

 Yeah, they keep the two tight ends. 12 personnel on this first down. This is what a championship drive looks like. Pound the football, control the line of scrimmage leading by a couple of scores. High snap and the play is blown. Dead. I don't know if he got the snap off in time before the clock expired.

 Offense 72 never came to a full set. Five-Yard penalty. First down.

 They had to rush it and Evan Mitchell not fully set.

 Once again, Dowling just perfectly content on grinding the football here. Grinding the clock, maintaining possession of the football here. Once again, they're in this double 12 personnel.

 Middleton met in the a-gap. Alex Strunk called his name a few times.

 That time the linebacker did a better job than of scraping and being in a good position to take Middleton on there and there hasn't. There's been such a push at the line of scrimmage. The linebackers haven't been able to get off blocks and to be able to make tackles at 2 or 3 yards. There's such a displacement of the front that they're not able to scrape and be able to make some of those necessary tackles at 2 or 3 yards.

 Nahas has attempted only five passes tonight. That number won't change. Middleton got caught from the backside. Jackson Williams got a piece of the jersey, went along for the ride and that's a scary play. If a running back. Oftentimes you see that lower torso area get tweaked or twisted, that's bad news. Normally right there.

 Oh yeah, those are dangerous plays, you know. And that's why the horse collar is obviously in as a as a rule to protect players. That was kind of borderline. There.

 Third down and 11. Right back to the workhorse Middleton and smack dab in the center of the field leading by two scores. They want to stretch this out to a 17 point lead. So they are going to send out Ryan Kuhn.

 Second charge time out of the half.

 Time-out taken. Is that Liberty who took the time out?

 Coach I think it was.

 Well here we are in the gridiron, but we are getting ready for an exciting time of the year with college wrestling. Yes that's right, wrestling back on Iowa PBS. So much excitement. Ready to bring you all the action for the upcoming season. Whether it's the Iowa Women, Naia Division two. Division three, the Iowa State men college wrestling returns Thursday, December 11th. Your home for college wrestling right here on Iowa PBS. I love it. Take a look at this schedule. Grandview and Iowa. Those two will meet at the beautiful Waukee Northwest facility. Then you have the doubleheader. Men's and women's wrestling Missouri Valley at Grandview. The doubleheader, Indian Hills at Iowa Central, South Dakota State, Iowa State, two really good programs colliding in humble. Ryan Kuhn on to attempt the field goal. 26 yards for Kuhn, who connected earlier tonight. Kick is on the way and it is good.

 This field goal now puts him up three scores and you can see the conservative play calling from Coach Wilson here. And I understand it right. It's it's still an uphill battle for Liberty to try to score three times when you know Dowling is going to to continue to do what they do and run the inside zone, grind the clock. And it's ultimately Dowling. That's what has made them so successful. They don't get away from the things that have allowed them to be great, not just this season, but historically, this is who they are right there. They're not going to beat themselves. They're not going to put themselves in compromising situations. And that's been a perfect illustration here in the second half.

 729 to go in this fourth quarter, Dowling their only blemish this year, week one losing to Valley 20 to 19. Talking with Tom Wilson earlier in the week. He says you go into a new season every year. You have all these new parts and pieces to put together. It's like a great big jigsaw puzzle. Clerry from his own goal line, tripped up, upended as he crossed the 20 yard line. So you think you know what you are, and then you find out pretty quickly who you are. And they found out week one what they needed to do. And they moved some people around week two against Johnston. They play really well offensively. He felt they had too many run schemes in. And as you talked about all night, this has been a team that simple is better. And in football it oftentimes comes down to that.

 And sometimes it takes a loss early in the year to then just change kind of your philosophy, not, you know, your core philosophy and your principles, but to identify your personnel and put them in the best situations to be successful. And he just really talked about, Tom, the fact that let's get back to who we are and being fundamental.

 They have certainly done that. 11 straight slant is caught making the grab Cooper Lester. That's a familiar last name. Cooper, the son of Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester second year as the OC for the Hawkeyes former head coach in Kalamazoo for Western Michigan for six years. Second down and six seven minutes to go in this fourth quarter. Rettig is going to take a shot. He's looking for Lester again. And this one falls incomplete. Sankoh, who will play for South Dakota State next year with the coverage?

 Rutte a flag there just slightly overthrown. Great concept against this coverage and defense though.

 [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

 By Liberty's an empty here. You're still seeing this even front playing cover two behind it or maybe even quarters here.

 Third down. Pressure from the back side. Rettig dumps it off over the middle and a first down grab to the 37.

 Once again, he breaks the pocket, extends plays. He's so dangerous. Looked like it was going to be a screen. Wasn't there initially. Just bought some time and then dumped it to the receiver and made it first down. Excellent execution here.

 Big brother to little brother. Second catch tonight for Tate Rettig now big brother in some trouble. Dodges one, dodges Bobo and gets rid of it. There is a flag in the secondary. Dodging missiles once again Reece Rettig.

 Boy, he's fun to watch.

 He really is.

 He is just so hard to get on the ground and.

 Holding.

 The thing that impresses me about him, not only his competitiveness, his. just desire to win, but he just makes people around him better. When you play like that, it does something to everyone around you. His teammates see how he demonstrates himself and how he competes, and it just it's infectious and you can see that and how it impacts everyone around him.

 Grew up with a couple of younger brothers. Just never wanted to lose. First down from the 47. Play fake. Watch out Bobo got him this time. He was not going to miss him. Ryan Bobo. Boy he is special. Two year starter. Will play for the Drake Bulldogs next fall. Another sack, his second of the night.

 As you can see, immediate pressure from Bonanno beats the tackle, gets pressure and then Bobo finishes him off.

 220 pounds. What makes him so special? He runs well and they meet him again. The dynamic duo Bonanno and Bobo and they met at Reece Rettig back at the 26 back to back sacks for the pair of seniors.

 When you have edge pressure like that and they're able to collapse the pocket and he's unable to step up because they have also pressure from the inside as well. There's nowhere for him to go. And that is textbook pressure from Dowling.

 We have watched a lot of football over the past couple of days. We have brought you all the games and I don't know, you look at Ryan Bobo, he is right up there among the top Rettig is going to take a shot home run ball down field and it's intercepted. Picked off by Jordan Watson and Dowling inches a little bit closer to sealing this puppy up.

 Third and long like that. You have to try to make a play and you can't fault Rettig for letting it loose there. And really it was one on one coverage. The safety didn't get over on it. And he just, you know, at that point in time, you just got to trust your guy and let him make a play. You can see it's one on one safeties unable to get over that. Now you just got to win. But the defensive back does a really good job of pinning him and keeping him on his backside. There.

 Ninth interception this year for Dowling. Rettig leaving it all on the field tonight. It was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter. But he has been back out there for his teammates in the second half. Middleton will continue with his huge knife barreling ahead all the way to the 45. Eight more yards for Ian Middleton.

 Dowling just doing what they do, leaning on him and especially as here we are with 444 left in the fourth quarter, it's just it's a cumulative effect when you have a big offensive line like that. Sometimes you don't necessarily see, you know, the positive yardage or the big the big plays until you start to impose your will and your size starts to take a toll on a liberty defense that just doesn't have the same type of size.

 Second down, untouched into the second wave Ian Middleton Dowling feeling it right now. Just punishing Liberty up front in the plus territory to the 45. A gain of ten.

 Yeah. As we talked about this is just one of those situations where they just begin to do what they do. And you have big bodies leaning on you like that for four quarters. It does begin to take its toll. And that's certainly happening right now. And this is a big series here for Liberty to get a stop and try to stop the bleeding here. But with.

 [LAUGHTER]

 That last carry the 29th of the night for Ian Middleton, which ties the state record C.J. Phillip, a southeast Polk carried the football in a title game 29 times just two years ago, and 23.

 And we talked about that coming in that this is what they were going to do. It's what they've done all year long. And you let your workhorse go to work behind a powerful offensive line that has been able to really assert themselves and ultimately pave the way for a very just outstanding night for Middleton. But a lot of credit goes to this offensive line. The tight ends, it's a total team effort.

 So Kade Krause lead the lineup. Owen Marr replaces him on this first down play at the 45, and Middleton goes ahead for a couple because of his dominance and because of the game plan coming in for Tom Wilson. We haven't talked a lot about the quarterback. Joey Nahas, and this is a senior quarterback who will play college somewhere, and he has known Coach Wilson for a long time. Wilson has known him since he was six years old. He coached his older brother George Quarterback, who has always had an arm talent coming through, and it's the game plan tonight. But there have been nights where he has been called on to use his arm and win football games. For Dowling.

 Tonight just wasn't one of those nights coming in. You could see the game plan was to run the football, establish the run game, control the clock, which they weren't really able to do. Obviously in the first half, but now this second half, it's there's certainly been a reversal of roles once again. And Dowling has got him back to what they have traditionally done. And that's controlling the football with their power run game.

 Scan the QR code on the screen right now or call the phone number on your screen and consider a gift. A Friends of Iowa PBS. As you may have heard, Congress got 3.5 million in federal funding to Iowa PBS. This is the largest one time cut in our 55 year history, affecting 18% of the budget. These funds help maintain our statewide network, delivering trusted local programs to every corner of Iowa. Despite the challenge, we're committed to the mission to educate, inform, enrich and inspire. Thank you for watching and supporting public media. Please give a scan of what you see on the screen or call the number if you enjoy what you're watching. Wall to wall coverage. This year of the Iowa High School State Football Championships. Always a great host, Cedar the hotels hopping the last couple of nights. Now they're going to throw it. They've been setting up this play for a while. And watch out. There goes Roberts jersey being stretched Roberts all the way in. Touchdown.

 [APPLAUSE]

 There is a flag down back at the 40 yard line, so hold everything. Oh, what an effort though by Jeffrey Roberts. Let's see if this one's coming back.

 Ineligible receiver downfield offense 77 Five-Yard penalty from the previous spot. Replay. Third down.

 Well, that wipes out the individual effort from Roberts Carter Barrett, a talented sophomore creeping downfield a little bit too early.

 That's when you run RPOs. That is one of the because it's ultimately you're you you didn't get to see that. But the lineman was too far downfield. And that's one of the issues with RPOs is that ultimately it's got to be a run scheme where the lineman doesn't get too far downfield. In that situation, he was too far downfield, which resulted in the penalty.

 Normally, Jeffrey Roberts is running away from you. That time he showed some of his power, almost like a bobsled just carrying the defender. Middleton a gaping hole and he picks up the penalty yardage right back and then some. And another punishing run from Ian Middleton.

 Simple outside zone. Just continuing to do what they do, you know, and you have to give a lot of credit here to to liberty. They continue to fight. You know hanging with truly the the blue bloods of five a and they unseated three throughout the course of this season. This team is a little bit different with regards to the personnel that they have, especially on the line of scrimmage and some of the versatility that they have at their skill positions.

 Career night 32 carries over 200 yards and you see him go airborne. But the play called dead because of a time-out. Dowling.

 Second time of the half.

 Using the time-out as we stop the clock with 209 to go in this Class 5A final, Dowling and Tom Wilson so close to getting back on top of this state. Relive the championship excitement. Share these moments with your family, friends and neighbors. Visit iowapbs.org for archives of Championship games. Any time. Dowling team coming into the season with a strong nucleus intact, they had seven starters back on offense, four returning starters on defense. 2019 the last time they won a state title as somehow they managed to get the football handed off to Grayson Pennington looked like somebody went the wrong way on that exchange. Yet this offensive line with so much push, they still get good yards to the 29.

 And it appears that they've replaced this offensive line here with a with another unit. Real testament to the quality of depth that that Dowling has on the offensive line.

 Jack Trump Evan Mitchell Mitchell Owen Marr. Some of the new bodies in there up front, Josh Miller one of the starters stays in the game. Second down. Middleton wiped out right at the line of scrimmage.

 Scrimmage.

 You go through the long history of Dowling football. We talked about the last title in 2019. They had that incredible run of seven straight titles. When you look at this Dowling team coach, you have watched a lot of their football throughout the years. What's going to be their unique trait? What will you remember about this championship team?

 You know, you look at the offensive line, but they're still pretty young. And a lot of these guys are coming back next year. That's kind of a scary thought. It's the the versatility of their skill position players at the wide receiver position, a big thumper of a back and just a host of, you know, dynamic players on the defensive end as well.

 Dowling won't have to take another snap immediately. They rush over to the student section and a familiar name, one of the blue bloods in the state of Iowa. In the sport of football, is back on top. Tom Wilson Dowling Catholic here Class 5A state champions.

 Congratulations to Coach Wilson. And as you know has a outstanding staff, does things the right way. He's a class act. Great people that he's had just affiliated with this program for such a long period of time. And you know what you get with Dowling football. They're so sound fundamentally and that has just been a staple of who they are. And they haven't gotten too far away from what has enabled them to be so successful. But I also want to just point out, you know, congratulations to Iowa City Liberty on a fantastic season. Coach Chandler and his staff has done a remarkable job in building this program. And now they are you know, they were here in the title game for the second straight year. You can't say enough about them and their kids. And now that's the expectation for you to come here each and every year. And they're going to be a force to be reckoned with, not just in eastern Iowa, but throughout the state as well.

 There has been only one coach who has won more state titles in our great state than Tom Wilson. That was Kurt Blatt with Harlan. He won 11, and now Wilson has secured his ninth title for Dowling Catholic. Just incredible numbers and incredible consistency throughout the years.

 He's an elite company. There's no question about that. And known, as I said, Coach Wilson for a long period of time and he never changes. He never wavers. He stays true to himself. Everyone is clear on what the standards are about. Dowling football. That's never changed. It's like we're going to continue to do things a certain way. And he's still about building quality people and quality young men, and that's certainly, you know, to me, that's what high school football and athletics is about in general is helping young people understand the value of the life lessons that athletics affords them. And he is the epitome of that.

 Took over this program in 2005. He coached at English Valleys, Wilton Dike-new, Hartford, even spent some time in the college level in the Mac with Ball State and Muncie. Last year, he celebrated his 300th career victory, and now he has another state title. The Ciml continues to have a stranglehold on this class. As far as state championships, you have to go all the way back to 2009. The last time a non team won a state title. As we go down to the field for the presentation of the Five-a trophies.

 The IHSAA trophies and Awards program is possible because of the support of title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau presenting today's runner up and championship trophies are members of the IHSAA staff and Board of Control. The state runner up finishes the 2025 season with a record of 11 and two. In four playoff appearances. Please help us congratulate the student athletes, coaches and supporters from Iowa City. Liberty.

 [APPLAUSE]

 Dowling, you had a seven year stretch of titles. Does this begin? Another one? Dowling Catholic is your 2025 Class 5A champion? They close out the season with a record of 12 and one, winning a total of 11 championships in 48 appearances. Congratulations to head coach Tom Wilson and the Dowling Catholic Maroons your 2025 state champion.

 [APPLAUSE]

 And today's quick.

 Star. star of the game number five.

 Just incredible numbers tonight. Star of the game. Just announced and no surprise a record setting performance as far as volume in a class five, a state championship. Ian Middleton a new state record 34 carries. In this game. He averaged six yards per rush, 206 yards for Middleton couple of touchdowns. Tonight, and the trophy is coming back to Dowling. 11th title in program history.

 Quite a historic program. Been a traditional power. Couldn't be happier for Tom and his program. And Liberty should not hang their heads. I know its difficult. You you put a lot into a season. They accomplished a lot and they have a lot of people returning. I look for them to be a highly competitive team next year with another great opportunity to come back as well.

 Paul Yeager surrounded by a happy bunch of Maroons. Let's check in with Paul. He is with our starring coach Ian Middleton.

 What do you have there?

 State championship trophy, baby.

 How's it feel to.

 Hold that? It feels great. You know, the work we put in finally showed and it's just a blessing.

 34 206. How'd you do it?

 I mean, I couldn't have done it without my guys. You know, they pushed me every day. You know, I pushed them and they gave me the same energy. And obviously, I wouldn't be here without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You know, it's an unreal feeling. And I'm just so blessed.

 Let's talk about that old line they create. They make you look good. You make them look good. Tell me those guys and what they mean to you.

 I wouldn't be able to shine out those guys. You know, Josh, I've been playing with him since I was a kid, and it's great to see us succeed. And those guys put in crazy amounts of work, and it's good to see it pay off.

 Nice job.

 Thank you, thank you.

 Congratulations, Ian Middleton. We're going to get coach Tom Wilson right now. Coach nine, you got one for your thumb. Now.

 Well I'm just really proud of this one to be honest with you. These kids have been phenomenal the entire year. And for us to be able to finish it like that is pretty special.

 This is a team that battled. You knew they were tough. You knew you had a good balance. Things flipped. Semifinals was a tough game. At what point did you know this was how this season would end?

 Well, I'm not sure I ever knew that. I honestly game two after we lost game one and came back and played well the next week, I thought, okay, we've got a chance. And then our schedule prepares us for this. We play as tough a schedule as anybody does and we're battle tested.

 We just talked to Ian. We know what he can do, but talk about that defense that just seemed to crush.

 I think the coaches deserve a lot of credit. Those players, that defense the entire year was.

 Phenomenal.

 You now need he needs to get into this picture. These never get old for you do they?

 Never.

 Never.

 Tom Wilson, thank you so much. Congratulations.

 Paul. Terrific job all weekend long. We appreciate everything you do with the pregame, halftime and postgame interviews. And coach will leave you with the last word. Your thoughts not just on this five a title, but the state of high school football here in Iowa.

 You know, that's a great question. You know, Sean, I've been out of it now for 5 or 6 years. And, you know, now that I've kind of stepped back and I'm able to see the game from a different perspective and through a different lens, the quality of football in Iowa has increasingly gotten better, and that's a testament to the players throughout this state, but also the quality of coaches. And that's certainly illustrated here tonight. You know, two teams that battled it out that were very well. They're fundamentally sound. And obviously there's only one winner in each class. And you know Sean, this is a long couple days for you. And you've done a phenomenal job of kind of heading all of this up along with the team here at PBS. And I'm just very thankful to be a part of it. And I appreciate you partnering with me. It's been a great experience. I've learned a ton.

 We'll do it again. Coach, thank you so much. Once again, Hall of Fame coach Kevin Miller with us. What a couple of days, days to celebrate the sport of football in the state of Iowa. Dowling Catholic your five a champions 2710. Your final score for our fantastic crew from Cedar Falls here for Iowa PBS alongside coach Miller Shawn Kenney Paul Yeager saying so long, Iowa PBS sports.

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