Des Moines witnessed a thrilling night of high school football as teams competed fiercely for a spot in the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. After an intense series of quarterfinal playoff games, four teams from each class secured their tickets for the next round of the tournament.
In what was described as a nail-biter, Valley overcame Johnston with a close score of 38-35, while Lewis Central clinched a narrow victory against ADM, finishing 30-25.
In other matches, Wilton pulled off a stunning comeback against Regina, scoring a late touchdown and converting a two-point attempt to take the lead 21-14 with just under a minute to play. This victory sent Wilton to the UNI-Dome for the first time in school history. Southeast Polk also demonstrated their dominance with a striking 42-15 win over Iowa City West, proving they are just two wins away from potentially achieving a four-peat in Class 5A.
The Maroons triumphed over Ankeny Centennial with a tight score of 14-10, and the Dutch defense played exceptionally well, holding off Gilbert for a 19-14 win. All games showed drama, with several lead changes and last-minute plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Fans can look forward to the state semifinal pairings being announced soon, as the exciting high school football season continues. Each team that advanced will prepare for the challenge ahead, hoping to bring home a championship. For now, the players and their communities are celebrating their hard-fought victories.
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
