The high school football semifinals wrap up on Saturday with match-ups at the UNI-Dome in Classes 1A and 2A. In 1A, fifth ranked Dike-New Hartford is at the Dome for the second time in the past three years following their 34-14 pounding of rival Aplington-Parkersburg in the quarterfinals.
The Wolverines forced seven turnovers in that game, a performance that coach Don Betts calls their best of the season.
Betts says the victory has his team very confident going into the semifinals, and that’s a factor that can propel a team.
He says the juniors and seniors were on the sidelines when they made the run to the championship game two years ago, so they have the desire to get back to that point and know the team has done it in the past.
The Wolverines face top ranked Iowa City Regina, last year’s Class 2A champion. The Regals have won forty straight games heading into today’s contest, and Betts says that this year’s Regina squad does not have any weaknesses with tremendous athletes, great coaching and the confidence of two championships.
Betts says his team will have to play very well, and probably have some luck, if they’re going to knock off Regina.
The other 1A semifinal pits fourth rankedsEmmetsburg against second ranked Council Bluffs Saint Albert. The Class 2A games feature fifth rated Spirit against number three Carroll Kuemper and seventh rated Dyersville Beckman against number two Mediapolis.
By Jesse Gavin KCNZ Cedar Falls