If you're frantically refreshing your phone looking for iowa high school football scores tonight, I’ve got some bad news: the lights at the UNI-Dome went out a while ago. It’s mid-January. In Iowa, that means the only thing hitting the turf right now is a heavy layer of frost or a few inches of fresh powder.
Basketball is currently king in the gymnasiums from Algona to Zwingle. Wrestling mats are being rolled out. But football? That finished back in November when the state champions were crowned in Cedar Falls.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. There’s a specific kind of energy you only get on a Friday night in October, huddled under a blanket with a styrofoam cup of lukewarm cocoa, watching teenagers play like their lives depend on every yard. But just because there aren't live whistles blowing tonight doesn't mean the "football season" is actually over. In Iowa, the 2026 season basically started the second the 2025 trophies were handed out.
Looking Back: The Scores That Defined the 2025 Season
Before we look at what’s coming, we have to talk about how the 2025 season wrapped up. The state finals in November provided some of the most lopsided victories and heartbreaking losses we've seen in recent years.
Take Class 5A, for instance. Dowling Catholic continued their reign by handling Iowa City Liberty with a 27-10 victory. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Meanwhile, in Class 2A, Kuemper Catholic really showed up, putting a 28-7 bruising on Van Meter. If you followed Van Meter all year, you know how rare it is to see them struggle like that.
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2025 IHSAA State Championship Final Scores
- Class 5A: Dowling Catholic 27, Iowa City Liberty 10
- Class 4A: North Polk 35, Pella 6 (A dominant showing for the Comets)
- Class 3A: Nevada 27, Bishop Heelan 6
- Class 2A: Kuemper Catholic 28, Van Meter 7
- Class 1A: West Lyon 34, Regina 27 (An absolute overtime thriller)
- Class A: MMCRU 30, Saint Ansgar 17
- 8-Player: Bishop Garrigan 44, Woodbine 42 (The kind of game that takes years off your life)
These scores aren't just numbers in a record book. They are the benchmark for every weightlifting session happening in high school gyms across the state right now.
Why People Search for Iowa High School Football Scores Tonight in January
It sounds weird, right? Why search for football scores in the dead of winter?
Usually, it's one of two things. First, you've got the die-hards who are actually looking for 7-on-7 tournament results or indoor league scores. While the IHSAA doesn't officially sanction these, plenty of Iowa athletes are competing in club-level indoor football or showcases during the winter months to catch the eyes of college recruiters.
The second reason? People are checking the 2026 schedules. The IHSAA recently released the district and group assignments for the upcoming 2026 season. If you are a fan of a school like OABCIG or Centerville, you're probably already circling dates. The 2026 season is the second half of the current two-year scheduling cycle, so while the opponents stay the same as last year, the venues flip. If your team got beat on the road last year, they're likely looking for "home-field revenge" this coming August.
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Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Who to Watch
Since there are no live iowa high school football scores tonight, the next best thing is speculating wildly about who is going to be a powerhouse next fall. Based on returning starters and junior season stats, several teams are already looking like locks for deep playoff runs.
OABCIG is a name you're going to hear a lot. They've got Raif Jensen returning at quarterback after a monster 2025 season where he accounted for nearly 1,800 total yards. Pair him with Jaxx DeJean—who is basically a walking highlight reel—and that Class 2A field looks terrifying.
Then you have Centerville. Mack Murdock is a name most people got wrong last year, thinking he was just a system QB. He’s not. He threw for 2,250 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior. With his top targets returning, that offense is going to be electric.
Players Set to Dominate in 2026
- Christian Williams (RB, Van Meter): Rushed for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore. He’s only getting faster.
- Lewis Daye (RB, PCM): Another ground-and-pound threat who notched nearly 1,100 yards last season.
- Griffin Glynn (WR, Kuemper Catholic): Over 1,000 yards receiving in 2025. He’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
- Collin Willis (QB, Roland-Story): Turned the Norsemen into a high-flying passing attack with 2,200 air yards.
The Offseason Grind: What Happens When the Lights Are Off
While the bleachers are empty tonight, the weight rooms are packed. This is the "hidden season."
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I talked to a coach from a small 1A school last week who told me, "Football games are won in January, we just collect the trophies in November." It’s a cliché, sure, but it’s true. In Iowa, where many players are multi-sport athletes, the balance is tricky. A kid might be playing a varsity basketball game tonight, then hitting the squat rack at 6:00 AM tomorrow to keep his "football legs" underneath him.
The recruiting trail is also heating up. For seniors, tonight is about finalizing those letters of intent. For juniors, it's about camp invites. If you're looking for news on Iowa high school football, you're better off checking Twitter (X) or Bound for recruiting commits rather than live scores.
How to Stay Prepared for the 2026 Kickoff
The wait for actual iowa high school football scores tonight is going to be long. We are looking at late August 2026 for the first official kickoff. Here is how you can stay ahead of the game during the long wait:
- Check the IHSAA Unified Calendar: They post the key dates for practice starts and scrimmage windows. Usually, the first Friday night games for 2026 will land on August 28 or 29.
- Follow the Transfer Portal (High School Edition): It’s not as crazy as the NCAA, but moves happen. Keep an eye on local papers like the Des Moines Register or The Messenger for news on coaching changes or star athletes moving districts.
- Watch the 7-on-7 Circuit: If you need a football fix, these tournaments start popping up in the spring. It’s a great way to see which quarterbacks have improved their deep ball over the winter.
The 2025 season was a wild ride, and the scores we saw at the UNI-Dome set the stage for an even more competitive 2026. While the fields are white and the air is freezing right now, August will be here before we know it.
Actionable Next Steps:
To get ready for the next season, head over to the IHSAA website and download the 2026 schedules for your specific district. This allows you to plan your travel and see which away games are worth the drive. Additionally, keep an eye on the Bound (GoBound) app, as it remains the most accurate source for roster updates and official coaching announcements during the offseason transition.