Recap: Final scores, stats and more from Thursday's high school football state title games
CEDAR FALLS — It's championship week for Iowa high school football.
Between Thursday and Friday, seven state champs will be crowned at the UNI-Dome. Action began Thursday with the 8-Player, Class A, and Class 4A finals.
In Game One, Remsen St. Mary's won its second 8-Player state title in the last three years with a 38-16 win over WACO.
In Game Two, Grundy Center thumped West Hancock, 27-0, to win the school's fourth state football title, but their first since 1988.
Game Three, Cedar Rapids Xavier defeated Lewis Central, 45-38, to win their fourth state football title in school history, and their third since 2017. The Saints and Titans traded haymakers all night, but it was Xavier that came out on top.
We brought live updates all evening as each game unfolded, and will do so again on Friday when we return for the Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 5A finals. If you can't make it out to Cedar Falls for any of the games, you can stream all three of the games by clicking here, thanks to the Iowa High School Sports Network.
Below is the full blow-by-blow of Thursday's action.
RELATED: Predicting all 7 of Iowa high school football's state title games this week at the UNI-Dome
Class 4A Final: Cedar Rapids Xavier 45, Lewis Central 38
The Saints cap an undefeated season with a sensational state title-winning performance here at the UNI-Dome.
In a game billed as the unstoppable force (Lewis Central's offense) against the immovable object (Xavier's defense), a good old-fashioned shootout unfolded, where the Saints outlasted the Titans, 45-38, to win the Class 4A state championship.
This game had it all. Both teams returned kickoffs for touchdowns. Both offenses put up 400-plus yards of total offense. There were 11 combined touchdowns and just four total punts. Lewis Central led after the first quarter, then Xavier led by three at half, then by as many as 21 in the fourth.
In the end, Xavier finished the 2022 season 13-0 and won its fourth state title in school history, and third since 2017. Lewis Central, last year's 4A state champs, finished 12-1. This was an insanely thrilling football game from start to finish, an excellent cap to the first day of Iowa high school football's championship week.
GAME STORY: Xavier football holds off Lewis Central to win Class 4A state title, 45-38
CEDAR FALLS — Thursday’s matchup between Lewis Central and Xavier lived up to the hype as two undefeated programs fought for the Class 4A title in the Iowa high school football state championships.
Neither team had lost a game this season entering the title matchup, but it was the Saints who took home the trophy with an undefeated record. Lewis Central fell to Xavier, 45-38.
Both teams exchanged scores, but this season’s state championship didn’t require three overtimes like last year’s title game – between the same two programs – did.
Click here to read more from Alyssa Hertel.
Xavier comes through with a championship drive
A 10-play, 80-yard drive by Xavier came at the perfect time. The Saints marched down the field for a touchdown, giving them a 45-31 lead with 2:35 to play.
Michael Cunningham rushed 7 times for 50 yards on that drive, and it ultimately set up QB Ronan Thomas hitting Aiden Miller for a 3-yard TD to put Lewis Central's backs firmly against the wall.
Titans need some magic now. We'll see what happens.
Titans come within one score after Braylon Kammrad scores TD
Find a way to turn this game on if you can, you guys. A good game has become great and is now bordering on fantastic, or whatever comes next.
After Jonathan Humpal housed the following kickoff, Lewis Central's defense got a stop, and then Braylon Kammrad led the Titans right back down the field for a touchdown. Kammrad himself was impressive on the drive, rushing for 10 on 2nd-and-6, hitting Humpal for 5 to convert 4th-and-2, then scoring on a 1-yard rush.
It's now 38-31, Xavier, with 7 minutes to play. We'll see if the Titans have one more stop in them.
Lewis Central returns kickoff for a TD to begin Q4
So Xavier rumbled back down the field and scored on 4th-and-goal at the 1 to take a 38-17 lead (a 1-yard plunge by Ronan Thomas), and then Lewis Central's Jonathan Humpal returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards to make it 38-24 with 11:42 to play.
So this game may not be completely over yet, but the Titans still need at least one stop and another to make this interesting. We'll see what happens.
Xavier extends their lead with another TD run
Well, now Lewis Central needs to answer, because Xavier just walked right back down the field and scored for a 31-17 win.
The Saints marched 86 yards in 7 plays, the bulk of which came on a 47-yard run by Michael Cunningham, and the last of which came on a 13-yard sprint around the right edge by Cunningham on his way to the end zone.
That gives Xavier a two-possession lead again … and wouldn't you know, as I type this, Lewis Central fumbled the ensuing kickoff away and the Saints recovered on Lewis Central's 34-yard line. This could get ugly in a hurry with two minutes still to play in this third quarter.
Lewis Central back within one score after FG
With 4:24 left in the third quarter, the Titans are back within one possession after Boston Hensley hit a 35-yard field goal, making the score 24-17, Xavier.
Lewis Central nearly marched right down the field and actually scored a touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Braylon Kammrad to Parker Heller, but holding brought the play back. The Titans still scored necessary points, but the vibes might've been better if it was 6 over 3.
In any case, Xavier gets the ball back and Lewis Central now needs a stop. The fun continues.
Xavier takes the second-half kickoff back for a TD
How's this for a start to the third quarter?
Xavier extends their lead to 24-14 after Coleton Beasler-Weber returned the second-half kickoff 97 yards to the house. Ran straight up the middle of the field and his blocks paved the way for him.
That's a two-possession lead for the Saints with literally the entire second half to go. Lewis Central is no stranger to rallying to win. They did so in Week 1 against Harlan, scoring 14 fourth-quarter points to win 30-27.
We'll see what kind of magic they have in them tonight.
Halftime: Cedar Rapids Xavier 17, Lewis Central 14
We've got a dogfight, folks.
Xavier regained the lead on Aidan McDermott's 5-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, then the blistering start in this game slowed quite a bit, as the Saints carried that 17-14 advantage into the intermission.
It's been a fairly even game thus far. Check the stats:
Total Yards: Lewis Central 228, Xavier 221
Rushing Yards: Xavier 97, Lewis Central 72
Passing Yards: Lewis Central 156, Xavier 124
Turnovers: Lewis Central 1, Xavier 1
Sacks: Lewis Central 4, Xavier 0
OK, that last one favors the Titans big time. But, you get it.
After an offense-heavy first quarter — or, really, after McDermott's TD run — the second quarter drives all looked like this: Lewis Central turnover on downs, Xavier punt, Lewis Central punt, Xavier turnover (pick), Lewis Central punt, Xavier punt, then half.
Maybe we'll see more fireworks in the third quarter. Lewis Central would sure like that, and Xavier is plenty capable of keeping pace. The Saints start the second half with the ball, and a big drive — meaning: TD — would go a long ways in making this an interesting second half.
End of Q1: Lewis Central 14, Cedar Rapids Xavier 10
What an opening 12 minutes, which ends with the Titans leading 14-10.
After the Titans tied the game, Xavier came right back and took a 10-7 lead on a 30-yard FG by Kale Christensen. Lewis Central punched right back with another 4-play touchdown drive, which spanned 80 yards, the bulk of which 68-yard screen pass from Braylon Kammrad to Jonathan Humpal, who patiently followed a blocker while running down the sideline to the end zone.
Here's a fun stat: the most points Xavier's allowed in any game this season is 14 points to Western Dubuque in Week 1. Lewis Central has 14 in the first quarter.
This is shaping up to be a good one, folks.
Lewis Central responds to tie the game
The Titans wasted no time responding to Xavier's first TD.
Lewis Central needed just four plays to go 77 yards and level this game. A 23-yard rush by Jonathan Humpal helped set up a 48-yard catch-and-run score by Curtis Witte from Braylon Kammrad. It's 7-7 with 8:31 left in the first quarter.
Game on, fellas.
Quick strike TD by Xavier
The Saints turn a Braylon Kammrad interception into six points.
On 2nd-and-14, Xavier QB Ronan Thomas hit Aidan McDermott in stride for a 51-yard touchdown to put the Saints up 7-0 just two minutes into the game.
Lewis Central opened with a mistake and Xavier made them pay. We'll see what the Titans do with their second possession.
Lewis Central to begin with the ball … then turn it over
The Class 4A state title game is underway. Jonathan Humpal returned the opening kick to give the Titans the ball at their own 25 … and on third down, Braylon Kammrad goes downfield but is picked off by Xavier's Thomas Sundell.
Saints now have the ball on Lewis Central's 47-yard line. Less-than-ideal start for the Titans.
GAME STORY: Grundy Center blows past West Hancock for Class A state title
CEDAR FALLS — The fourth time turned out to be the charm for Grundy Center.
After falling short in each of the last three Class A state championship games, the Spartans finally broke through on Thursday with a masterful 27-0 win over West Hancock at the UNI-Dome.
Grundy Center QB Colin Gordon threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes, rushed for another in the second half and connected on a pair of field goals, from 31 and 30 yards, to lead the Spartans to the fourth state football title in school history, but first since 1988. Gordon finished with 239 total yards of offense.
"We always thought we could make it here, and we did," Gordon said afterward. "We had the dudes to do it this year, and we did."
Click here to read the full story from Cody Goodwin.
FINAL: Grundy Center 27, West Hancock 0
Well, the Spartans finally did it: Grundy Center won a state title against West Hancock, and did it in style. The Spartans blanked the Eagles to win the Class A state title. Colin Gordon had 10 completions for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and also scored one rushing touchdown and two field goals. Tate Jirovsky caught both touchdown passes. Justin Knaack picked up 103 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Grundy Center finishes its state title season with a perfect record.
7:41/Q4: Spartans sealing the deal
Grundy Center just pulled even further ahead off a one-yard rush from Colin Gordon. Spartans now hold a 27-0 lead and are about half a quarter away from their first state championship since 1988, if the defense can hold off West Hancock.
End of the third quarter: Grundy Center 20, West Hancock 0
The Spartans defense continues to keep West Hancock off the scoreboard. Grundy Center has the ball on 2nd and 10 from the 37-yard line.
4:00/Q3: Spartans score first points of second half
Grundy Center started the second half the way it did the first: with a field goal from Colin Gordon. The Spartans hold a 20-0 lead over West Hancock.
HALFTIME: Grundy Center 17, West Hancock 0
Two touchdowns from Colin Gordon to Tate Jirovsky and a 31-yard field from Gordon give Grundy Center a solid lead heading to the locker room. West Hancock has had some bright moments, and the Eagles will receive to start the second half.
0:24/Q2: Grundy Center does not want to lose
The Spartans extend their lead, 17-0, with a last-minute touchdown from Colin Gordon to Tate Jirovsky. Grundy Center's defense is still holding strong, as West Hancock is without a point on the board.
9:35/Q2: Spartans get the ball back off an interception
Mitchell Smith's pass was deflected by a Grundy Center defender and landed in the hands of Patrick Brown. After a false start penalty, the Spartans take over on 1st and 15 from the 39-yard line.
End of the first quarter: Grundy Center still on top
West Hancock has managed some solid defensive stops against the Spartans, but the Eagles have yet to put any points on the board. West Hancock starts the second quarter with possession on the 22-yard line. It's 3rd and 1, with the Eagles down 10-0.
6:43/Q1: Grundy Center gets on the board first
Colin Gordon completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tate Jirovsky for the first points of the championship. Gordon's kick after was good and with the Spartans' field goal to open the game, Grundy Center is up 10-0 late in the first quarter.
Class A championship between Grundy Center and West Hancock underway
Time for the second state title game of the day. Grundy Center and West Hancock — both with 12-0 records — will compete for the championship trophy. These two teams are all too familiar with each other. The Eagles and Spartans played each other in three of the last four years (2019, 2021, 2022). It was West Hancock who walked away with the title in 2019 and 2021.
GAME STORY: Remsen St. Mary's capitalizes on WACO miscues to capture 8-player state championship
CEDAR FALLS ― WACO head football coach Chad Edeker knew there would be days like this.
Edeker just didn't expect it to happen in the Iowa high school football 8-player state championship game.
Just like Murphy's law, everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Warriors in a 38-16 loss to top-ranked Remsen St. Mary's on Thursday morning at the UNI-Dome.
Mistakes on four straight possessions in the first half by the Warriors led to their demise.
Click here to read the full story from Matt Levins.
FINAL: St. Mary's 38-16 WACO
The Hawks claim the 8-Player state title in dominating fashion over WACO.
END OF THIRD: St. Mary's 38-9 WACO
There was a solid amount of scoring in that frame. WACO got its first touchdown of the morning, but St. Mary's got two of them. WACO will need a miracle over the final 12 minutes to come away with the state title.
HALFTIME: St. Mary's 24-3 WACO
St. Mary's will get the ball to start the second half, hoping to increase their lead.
WACO gets on the board
After the first big play of the day for the Warriors, a 34-yard catch by Oleh Stefanchuk, WACO finally got on the board. They couldn't find the end zone, but they got three points thanks to a 48-yard field goal from Simeon Reichenbach.
St. Mary's up 24-3 late in the half.
St. Mary's defense comes up big again
The WACO offense was finally getting something going, driving down inside the St. Mary's 10-yard line and in prime position to score. But then a hit by Ryan Willman knocked the ball out of a WACO rusher's arms. The Hawks recovered it at their own 3-yard line and are driving in the other direction.
St. Mary's still up 24-0
St. Mary's turns blocked punt into TD
The St. Mary's defense has been stifling so far today. They forced a three-and-out, a fumble, a turnover on downs and now a blocked punt. Collin Homan broke through the line and got his hand on the punt and it fell right to Braxton Kniep at the WACO 8-yard line.
Two plays later the Hawks found the end zone on a six-yard scoring strike from Cael Ortmann to Brenden Fisch. They failed on the 2-point conversion, but are still up 24-0 early in the second.
WACO turns it over, sets up St. Mary's in prime position
Facing a fourth down deep in their own end, WACO lost 20 yards, giving the ball back to the Hawks just three yards away from the end zone. Just two plays later St. Mary's made them pay when Brenden Fisch found paydirt from two yards out.
The 2-point conversion attempt failed. St. Mary's is up 18-0 early in the second quarter.
END OF 1: St. Mary's 12-0 WACO
It's been all Hawks so far. WACO has yet to get a first down on offense. The Warriors will face a third-and-11 deep in their own half to start the second quarter.
Disaster for WACO turns into St. Mary's score
With their backs to their own goal line, WACO couldn't afford to cough the ball up. But that's exactly what they did. St. Mary's defensive lineman Kaden Groepper broke through the line and got his hand on WACO QB Isaac Oswald's arm as he attempted to hand the ball off. It caused a fumble and Jaxon Bunkers recovered for the Hawks and strolled into the endzone from one yard out.
PAT went wide right, so St. Mary's is up 12-0 with under a minute to go in the first quarter.
WACO defense holds in critical moment.
On just the second play of the drive, St. Mary's QB Cael Ortmann hit Jaxon Bunkers in stride for a 48-yard gain to get into WACO territory. The Warriors defense stood strong though, forcing a turnover on downs after a failed fourth-and-goal play from the 4-yard line.
The WACO offense will need to get something going soon though. They've yet to get a first down today with just over a minute left in the opening quarter.
Hawks up on WACO
Offside on a third down by WACO extends the Hawks drive. St. Mary's drove down into Warriors territory
A critical fourth-and-2 conversion to Alex Schroeder got the Hawks down to the red zone and set up a short touchdown run by Brenden Fisch three plays later.
The 2-point conversion attempt failed, though. St. Mary's up 6-0 about halfway through the opening frame.
We're underway at the UNI-Dome
WACO will get the ball first. They'll start their opening drive around the 25-yard-line.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Recap: Cedar Rapids Xavier wins Iowa Class 4A title over Lewis Central
