To no one’s surprise, the scoring started early in the division two non-select championship game. Iowa used a mix of handoffs, passes, and direct snaps to get into the endzone on their first four drives. The Yellow Jackets had over 200 yards of offense in the first quarter, but the Griffins were able to keep up with an 18 yard pass to Colton Lacour and a 5 yard run by Luke Delafield.
An interesting aspect to this game from the beginning was special teams; Iowa planned to go for a two point conversion after every touchdown, while North De Soto had the ability to kick an extra point. This made for a dramatic play each time either team scored throughout the game. Iowa alternated between 6 and 8 points each time they scored, with the Griffins taking 7 points consistently.
Kaston Lewis was a spark plug from the very beginning. He had 70 yards in the first quarter and finished the first half with 115 yards and a rushing touchdown.
The second quarter was very similar to the first, but interceptions and fumbles stalled drives for both teams and limited them to one touchdown a piece in the second quarter. J’Vien Adams went to work for Iowa and scored, and QB Lawston Broussard found some time to throw and spread the ball around. Braelyn Latin added a 3 yard rush towards the end of the first half, which brought the score to 28-23 in favor of Iowa at halftime.
The Griffins got the ball to start the third, and did just what was needed, which was to score quickly and retake the lead with an extra point after Latin found the endzone once again. Each team traded scores to finish out the third quarter , and that set up a fourth quarter that was wild.
Iowa started the final frame with a 42-36 lead, but Delafield unleashed a perfect throw on a post route to Lacour for their second TD connection and another one point lead. The Yellow Jackets continued to call the right plays at the right time, and Broussard answered Delafield with a TD scamper from 11 yards out.
The Griffins turned it over and needed some big stops to try and force a punt and give their record setting QB a chance for a game winning drive. They did just that; then the unthinkable happened.
The special teams unit for Iowa got ready to punt, but the snap was off target and bouncing on the turf. Iowa was able to gain possession and punt it away, but a flag was thrown for roughing the kicker. This gave Iowa a fresh set of downs, and they were able to run the ball upfield and eventually run out the clock. Half of the Superdome was elated, and the other half was stunned.
The Iowa Yellow Jackets upset the top seed and win their first state title in school history in a game that will be discussed well into next season.
