Iowa State Football Playoffs: Looking Ahead to the Class 1A Semifinals
Quarterfinals Recaps
The Class 1A quarterfinals featured some thrilling matchups, with several games decided by a single score. In the end, four teams emerged victorious and will now advance to the semifinals.
- West Sioux 21, Dike-New Hartford 14: The top-ranked Falcons held off a tough challenge from Dike-New Hartford to advance to the semifinals. West Sioux's defense was particularly impressive, forcing three turnovers.
- Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 35, Iowa Falls-Alden 21: The Clippers put together a dominant performance, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from Iowa Falls-Alden.
- Panorama 28, Van Meter 21: The Panthers overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half to stun Van Meter. Panorama's defense came up with two big turnovers in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
- Grundy Center 31, New London 21: The Spartans held off a late rally by New London to earn a spot in the semifinals. Grundy Center's offense was led by running back Carter Moritz, who rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Semifinal Preview
The Class 1A semifinals will feature two intriguing matchups. West Sioux, the top-ranked team in the state, will take on Clarion-Goldfield-Dows. The Clippers are a tough, physical team that has won nine straight games.
The other semifinal will feature Panorama and Grundy Center. The Panthers are a high-scoring team that averages over 40 points per game. Grundy Center's defense has been impressive this season, allowing just 14 points per game.
Semifinal Predictions
West Sioux is the clear favorite in the semifinals, but Clarion-Goldfield-Dows is a dangerous team that could pull off an upset. The other semifinal is a toss-up, but I give a slight edge to Panorama.
Conclusion
The Class 1A semifinals are sure to be exciting, with four evenly matched teams vying for a spot in the championship game. West Sioux is the favorite, but any of the four teams could win it all. The semifinals will be played on Friday, November 11, with the championship game scheduled for Friday, November 18.
