If you walked into the UNI-Dome in late November, you didn’t just see a few football games. You saw a absolute clinic in "refusing to lose." The iowa high school football playoffs 2024 weren't about the favorites cruising to easy trophies. It was about Southeast Polk pulling off a miracle with 90 seconds left. It was about first-time champions finally breaking through. Honestly, if you weren't there, you missed some of the most chaotic, high-stakes football the state has seen in years.
The Southeast Polk Dynasty and the 90-Second Miracle
Most people thought the Class 5A title was over. Valley had a 35-24 lead with the clock ticking down, and it looked like the Rams' three-year win streak was finally dead. But then things got weird. Southeast Polk scored two touchdowns in the final 1:30.
Holden Hansen was the heart of it. He finished with 332 passing yards and three touchdowns, but it was his legs that sealed the deal with a rushing score that left the Valley sideline in shock. This win made Southeast Polk the fourth program in Iowa history to win four straight titles. They join the ranks of Dowling Catholic, Regina Catholic, and Solon. It wasn't pretty, and they had four losses on their record entering the postseason, but they found a way.
First-Time Glory for North Polk and Wahlert Catholic
History was made in Class 4A and 3A. North Polk had never won a state football title before. Not once. They changed that with a 24-14 win over Pella. They basically just dared Pella to stop the run. Nathan Feldmann and B.J. Tate combined for nearly 270 yards on the ground. When you can hold the ball for 32 minutes, you're usually going to win.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
Then there was Dubuque Wahlert in Class 3A. They were a juggernaut all year. They finished 13-0 after a 49-14 beatdown of Humboldt. It was their first title ever. They led 35-7 at the half and never looked back. Michael Bormann was a beast, racking up 124 yards and a touchdown.
The Scoreboard: 2024 Championship Finals
If you're just looking for the raw numbers, here is how the biggest games of the iowa high school football playoffs 2024 shook out:
- Class 5A: Southeast Polk 38, Valley 35
- Class 4A: North Polk 24, Pella 14
- Class 3A: Wahlert Catholic 49, Humboldt 14
- Class 2A: West Lyon 42, Spirit Lake 7
- Class 1A: Grundy Center 28, Dike-New Hartford 7
- Class A: Tri-Center 14, West Hancock 10
- Eight-Player: Remsen St. Mary’s 51, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 12
Dominance in the Lower Classes
West Lyon is just a machine at this point. They won their sixth state title by demolishing Spirit Lake 42-7 in the Class 2A final. Their defense was terrifying. They held Spirit Lake to only eight net rushing yards. Eight. You can't win a game in the Dome if you can't run the ball. Tate Hawf led the way with 114 yards and two scores.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
In Class 1A, Grundy Center secured a three-peat. They beat Dike-New Hartford 28-7. Judd Jirovsky was the player of the game, carrying the ball for 121 yards and three touchdowns. They’ve now won 39 straight games. That’s a level of consistency that most programs can only dream of.
The Eight-Player Wrecking Crew
If you like high scoring, Eight-Player is usually where it’s at, but Remsen St. Mary’s made the final look like a varsity vs. JV scrimmage. They beat Gladbrook-Reinbeck 51-12. Landon Waldschmitt was a one-man highlight reel. He had 156 passing yards and 177 rushing yards. Oh, and he scored seven touchdowns. Five of them were on the ground.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoffs
The biggest misconception is that the regular season record predicts the champ. Look at Southeast Polk. They were 9-4. In many states, a four-loss team is an afterthought. In Iowa’s Class 5A, it just meant they were battle-tested. They played one of the hardest schedules in the Midwest, and it showed when they didn't panic down by 11 points in the fourth quarter.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Another thing? The UNI-Dome factor. Some teams get starstruck by the lights and the turf. Teams like West Lyon and Grundy Center treat it like their backyard. That comfort level is a massive advantage that doesn't show up in the stat sheet.
How to Follow the 2025 Road to the Dome
If you're looking to catch the next wave of talent, you should keep an eye on the IHSAA's official site and the Bound app. Most fans wait until the quarterfinals to pay attention, but the real drama starts in the early pods.
- Check the RPI: Iowa uses a Rating Percentage Index to seed teams. It’s not just about wins; it’s about who you beat.
- Watch the "Pod" system: The early rounds are grouped geographically to save on travel, which leads to some incredible local rivalries playing out on the big stage.
- UNI-Dome Tickets: Buy them early. The 5A/4A nights sell out fast, especially when Des Moines area schools are involved.
The 2024 season proved that no lead is safe and no history is too long to be rewritten. Whether it was North Polk's first trophy or Southeast Polk's fourth in a row, the Dome remains the ultimate proving ground for Iowa athletes.
If you're looking to gear up for next season, start by scouting the returning rosters for teams like Valley and Iowa City Liberty, who both showed they have the firepower to be right back in Cedar Falls next November.