Getting Ready for the Holidays

Noah watches a movie in front of Grandma Honey's Christmas tree.

For years I was a wait until the calendar at least hit December before starting decorating, shopping or even thinking about Christmas. Now, we go all in right after Thanksgiving.

 

Amy has helped me a lot on that, saying if you’re going to go to all that work, at least enjoy it for a month or so. And really when I say go to all the work, I mean, she goes to all that work.

Now she decorates shortly after the turkey is almost done digesting.

Our main tree is mostly done as we’ll see how much Levi will let us finish decorating. I still need to brave the cold the assemble the lights on the house, but now the holiday music is playing on Pandora and Lite 104.1, so we’re in business.

When did you start assembling the tree? Heading to the tree farm today?

I won’t even mention how many of you spent Black Friday gathering at stores in the dark. But for the record, my good friend Michael G said it best,

He and his family were doing this in at least 1995 when we first roomed together at Wartburg. He would tell me about going to the store, getting free cracker jacks and other fun stuff while invading Rochester.

Oh the fun you learn when you start meeting new people and learning their traditions.

What are yours? What has changed since you left home? What has stayed the same?

Thanksgiving 2010

Last year I opened this blog on wordpress with a post on working Thanksgiving.
I talked about the wonderful meal that co-workers share in some places, namely KWQC TV6 where Theresa Bryant was known for years as the Chef of Wonderfulness at 805 Brady Street.

Enjoy the repost and please take time to remember those working today from nurses, dispatchers and police officers. Also, remember those serving in the military, including many Iowans who were recently dispatched to Afghanistan.

Just be courteous to your friends and neighbors of their holiday plans. For many, it includes working.

Whoa Baby: State Champs again

Dowling Catholic 38, City High 31. (image by Paul Yeager)

“Whoa Baby.”

That’s the way my broadcast parter Dave Marcoulier described Friday’s Class 4A football final that saw West Des Moines Dowling Catholic lay claim to their 3rd State Football title. It was the 10th time in the finals for DCHS. Prior to 2000, the Maroons were 0-7. Now they’ve won the last three championship games they’ve played in.

The “Whoa Baby” came after the 4th and goal pass from the line of scrimmage at the 19 was intercepted by Eric Lee. At that moment the City High players, who had outgained the Maroons until the last frame, and up until the third play of OT, left the field in defeat. Their 27 game win streak was snapped, but they played in one whale of game. (live blog review)

City High was very successful in running the ball in the first half. They were also able to run it very well for most of the second half as well, racking up 238 yards on 49 carries.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Dowling quarterback Connor Bravard runs away from Iowa City City High's Ryan Kroeze in the first quarter during the Class 4A Championship football game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

Dowling came close to that by the end of the game, but it just didn’t feel that the Maroons gained 208 yards on 38 carries. It was the passing game that put Dowling in the championship round of the 4A playoffs and it was the passing game that coach Tom Wilson called on several times for key catches in the 4th quarter with Connor Bravard throwing for 269 yards passing on 25 attempts and 18 completions. Bravard would have 20 carries for 153 yards or 422 total yards (Passing + Rushing). The Maroons would win the total yardage game 477-400.

The big target for the Maroons was their go-to receiver, Amara Darboh. His 6 catches for 94 yards came mostly in the 4th quarter in clutch situations. Darboh was get open just enough to warrant a throw. We’ll get to Darboh’s other big play later in this story.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Dowling's Ben Boesen jumps over Iowa City City High's Andrew McNulty and into the end zone for a second quarter touchdown during the Class 4A Championship football game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

Ben Boesen was the earlier target for Bravard, as Boesen, the senior TE caught 2 touchdowns in the first half, both well-executed plays. Boesen finished the game with 75 yards, 2 TDs over 5 catches.

But the real big catch was made by Andrew Pick in the overtime frame. Bravard rolled to his right and round Pick on a simple out route. It was his only catch of the game, but those 9 yards set the table for Dalton Parrott to put his head down and get his 3rd touchdown of the game. I was pulling for Pick to get his first TD of the season, but he’ll have to settle for knowing his catch set up the win.

The play call to Pick seemed to be stolen from City High’s play sheet as Andrew McNulty found fullback Adam Prybil 2 times for 32 yards. Not big in yards, but big in situations. Prybil also ran the ball 6 times for 22 yards and a score in the 3rd quarter that gave the Little Hawks a 21-13 lead with 8:06 remaining.

City High’s biggest weapon was Cedric Readus. The senior running back finished with 171 yards rushing yards and a TD catch. The receiving grab put the Little Hawks up at half 14-13. Readus gained 76 yards on a right haymaker to DCHS. The Maroons has just tied the game behind a 7 yard TD run by Parrott that was set up by huge runs by Bravard of 16, 9, 6 and two passes of 15 and 18. Dowling seemed to have the swagger back, but then Readus ran wild to the south endzone making the score 28-21 City High.

The Maroons went 3 and out and followed up with a 14 yard punt by Bravard. The Maroons bit their own lip on the drive.

But then the defense held City High on a short field and three plays from ten before Drew Cornwell kicked a 27 yard field goal to give the Dan Sabers bunch their biggest lead of the game with :33 left in the 3rd Quarter.

Dowling’s defense was on the field twice as long in the first half, but made ground up by putting the City High D on the UNI-Dome turf for most of the 3rd quarter. That to me and Mr. Marcoulier would be a telling tale.

Crowded House at the UNI-Dome. The visiting team was getting nervous.

The Maroons were driving on the first series of the 4th quarter behind All-State quarterback Connor Bravard. But a fumble at the 10:39 seemed to have many Maroon and White faithful grabbing for air.

The defense forced City High to punt after 3 plays.

Then Bravard found Darboh for passes of 21 and 15 yards. Bravard run of 11, Parrott for 16 and maroons were again marching to the goal line. When Parrott scored at the 6:03 mark the score was 31-28.

The biggest series of the season saw City High move the football 14 yards and the drive appeared to have stalled out. City High was facing a 4th and 8 from their own 49. With some confusion on 4th down, City took a time out. McNulty rolled to the right on a fake punt looking for Connor Alberhasky. Incomplete. Dowling takes over on downs 49 yards short of the endzone with 2:30 to play. If you punt the football, the Maroons are likely having to drive, at the best case scenario, 80 yards with 3 timeouts and under three minutes to play.

Bravard again put the team on his shoulders all the way to the City High 5. On 3rd and 3, Bravard is tackled for a one yard loss on the right hash. Out comes Mac Chapman with a hard angle field goal attempt from 23 yards out. The line drive somehow sneaks inside the left goal post and we’re tied at 31 at the end of regulation.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Dowling Dalton Parrott slips past Iowa City City High's Jeremy Johnson to score a touchdown in overtime during the Class 4A Championship football game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

The Maroons had seen overtime before, against Valley when the Maroons rallied in the 4th quarter to push the extra time. But City High won the toss, sent their defense out first, which had been on the field for 21 plays. Pick would get that catch and Parrott the TD set up City High’s chance.

Jason McMurray would take a shot on a play and would be forced from the game. The Maroons call time out, put in Amara Darboh, but with the TO keep #15 in and bring back in McMurray. Darboh lined up at right DE on the 3rd down play and team with Josip Juric for the sack.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Iowa City City High quarterback Andrew McNulty kneels dejected on the turf as Dowling celebrates their 38-31 overtime victory during the Class 4A Championship football game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

The season came down to a 4th and goal from the 19 and McNulty’s pass came left and Eric Lee stepped in front for the INT and set the celebration motion.

You could make a case that the close games to SE Polk, Valley and Ankeny in the semi’s may have helped build this team. But conditioning may have helped this squad as well. City High had been in that close of a game but once this entire season.

But maybe the demons hanging over the team from the semi-final loss to Marshalltown in 2009 also were waiting to exhale. This time, the Maroons were on offense late and in control and not as tired.

The defensive night for Matt Eganhouse and McMurry were huge. The two had 7.5 tackles and Tommy Miller had 7 with Mathew Formanek with 6.5 and Ty Flood and Luke LaWarne getting 4.5.

Zach Swehla had 8.5 tackles to lead City High. Todd Turney had 8 and Ryan Kroeze and Amos Lavela had 5 tackles each.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Dowling head coach Tom Wilson accepts the championship trophy as his team starts to celebrate their 38-31 victory over Iowa City City High during the Class 4A Championship football game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

The state title was the first for Tom Wilson. His three previous trips ended in defeat. It also was the first for Dowling since the 2000 and 2001 campaigns, neither Wilson, or coaching legend Jim Williams were around for.

One fun view for me was see the Dowling team rush the field, including assistant coach Craig McClain do a somersault to midfield.

Dave let the Whoa Baby fly and we were in business for a happy post game show. Thanks to Brian Morris for chasing down the players and coaches from the tunnel and bring than back into microphone range.

The Maroons set a school record for wins at 14.

They open against Valley on August 19 to start the 2011 campaign. We’ll worry about that later. These 31 seniors went out on a big note.

Here’s a look at the No, Its Iowa blog post of the game. Good video by Jesse Gavin and the hoisting of the trophy.

IowaPrepFanatic.com posted this story including some post game interviews as well from this epic battle.

As always, huge thanks to Romelle Slaughter for all the work on Twitter.com/KWKYSports and the in-game stats and spotting. He truly is the man.

Live Game Blog: City High and Dowling Catholic

Greetings from the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. They’ve let the fans into the game and now the Maroon side is filling up.
We’re in the middle of the pregame show now with the best audio of the season.

Kickoff is at 705 tonight. You can watch on TV on Ch 23 (9 on cable) in Des Moines, then listen to AM1150 on the radio. KWKY has been your station for the Maroons all season.

Here’s the game preview story.

The 4A title game should be a good one between Dowling Catholic and City High of Iowa City.

• Maroons win toss, defer.
• City High goes 3 and out.
• 8 play drive capped by 10 yard pass from Connor Bravard to Ben Boesen. PAT wide right. 6-0 Dowling leads. 7:26 1Q.
• City High marches 70 yards on 12 plays with Andrew McNulty walking into the end zone. PAT by Cornwell is good. 7-6 City High. 3:27 1st Q.
• End of 1st Quarter, City High 7 Dowling Catholic 6.
• Quick drive by the Maroons, 5 plays, 58 yards capped by a 8 yard TD pass to Ben Boesen, his second of the night, PAT by Chapman is good. 13-7 Maroons with 6:21 left in the 2nd Quarter.
• Great drive by City High, 15 plays, 66 yards ends with a 8 yard TD pass on 3rd down, McNulty to Cedric Readus, 14-13 City High :10 left before half.
• Halftime. City High 14, Dowling 13.
• Jesse Gavin of the No, Its Iowa blog joins us at halftime.
• Fake punt snuffed, Dowling turns over on downs.
• Big play is a 61 yard catch to Jasper Washington sets up the Adam Prybil TD from 3 yards, 4 plays 66 yard drive. 21-13 City High. 806 left 3rd Quarter.
• Maroons come back with big drive. 7 play 71 yards with Dalton Parrott scoring from 7 yards on 1st and goal. 2 point conversion by Connor Bravard is good, tie game 21-21. 5:21 left in the 3rd.
• Cedric Readus goes crazy on a 74 yard TD run. 28-21 with 4:36. 2 play drive going 76 yards.
• 26 yard FG by Drew Cornwell is good. City High makes it a 2 possession game, 31-21. :33 left in the 3rd quarter.
• End of 3rd quarter: City High 31 Dowling 21.
• Fumble by Bravard. City Hi recovers at the 17 of City High.
• Big house backfield leads the way for Dalton Parrott from 2 yards out for the score. Great drive of 79 yards on 8 plays. Three catches by Amarah Darboh. City High still leads 31-28 with 6:03 to play.
• FG by Mac Chapman ties it at 31-31.
• End of regulation tied at 31.
• Overtime.
• Dowling gets the ball first. Going into the south endzone.
• 3 yard TD run by Dalton Parrot. PAT good. 38-31.
• Defense holds on 4th and goal from 19. Pass knocked down in the endzone.
• Dowling wins 3rd state title.

Life lessons before a life event

High school athletics are supposed to be about teaching. Some lessons are easier than others. The one City High football coach Dan Sabers had to give last week to his team was one of those he’d not like to do again.

He had to suspend a player for breaking conduct rules on the eve of a semi-final game.

It wasn’t just any player, it was his top offensive performer. Ronald Thompson was averaging almost 7 yards a carry for the Little Hawks. His 1,350 rushing yards were the team’s best. But Thompson did not make the trip from Iowa City to Cedar Falls last week to play Bettendorf and he won’t suit up against Dowling Catholic in the Class 4A final, either.

City High running back Cedric Readus is pictured with coach Dan Sabers on Thursday. Readus returned to bring his talent back to the team for his senior year. (Press-Citizen / Matthew Holst)

But where one student stumbled, another stepped beyond his troubled past and into the spotlight.

Cedric Readus has battled his share of troubles during his time at City High from being the star of teams, to being off those same teams just a few days later. Readus is close to 1,000 rushing yards in his senior season as a Little Hawk and how he’s got the chance to be part of a back-to-back championship run with his other teammates.

Sabers calls Readus a good kid who has learned how to deal with adversity and now is learning how to deal with success. “It is usually the stumbles that get the attention” and Sabers reminds us we’re dealing with high school kids right now. “This is not the first time a student got in trouble and it won’t be the last,” said Sabers.

The Little Hawks are 13-0, looking to run their way over another opponent. City High is closing in on 4,000 rushing as a team or 7 yards every snap. The 57 rushing touchdowns this season are 84% of their points.

Cedric Reasus runs against Bettendorf. (image from http://www.cityhighathletics.com)

Iowa City advanced to the title game with a 21-7 win over Bettendorf last week.

Quarterback Andrew McNulty has 1,107 yards on the ground and 13 scores to go with his 73 of 137 passing for 1276 yards.

Senior running back Adam Prybil will see the field as will Bobby Millard and sophomore Amos Levala. For Levala, he’ll get some offensive snaps to go along with his full time role on defense where he leads the team with 103 tackles. Coach Sabers calls Levala the strongest on the team, saying he’s quick and tough, especially for his 5-8, 197 pound frame.

The Little Hawk defense is tough as usual. They play a 4-3 base defense, but continue to put in new wrinkles, like new a heavily new defense they threw against Bettendorf. Coach Sabers says they will continue that change-up of strategy Friday against Dowling Catholic.

Zach Swehla is the team’s second leading tackler with 80 from his linebacker position. Thompson was also a defensive player, third best in terms of tackles, before his suspension.

City High's Steve Ferentz. (image from http://www.cityhighathletics.com)

Steve Ferentz will see time on the field Friday night. He’s the third of Coach Kirk’s boys to play at City High. Sabers said Steve is not quite the same build as his brothers Brian and James.

Sabers, a Worthington native who left the dairy farm for teaching and coaching tries to instill some of that hard work ethic to his team. Its worked, so has tradition to help the Little Hawks to their 5th state title, including 27 straight wins. Sabers also is the 7th grade junior high boys track coach, his chance to get to introduce how a little hard work can go a long way.

Former City High coach Larry Brown is still on the football staff at City High and led the team during the titles in the 90′s. He helps keep that consistency in the staff where many of the guys have been together 25 years or more. Sabers is in his 30th year at City High.

City High starting quarterback Andrew McNutt celebrates a 21-7 victory over Bettendorf in the state semifinal game Friday at the UNI-Dome. To see more photos, go to http://www.press-citizen.com. (Press-Citizen / Benjamin Roberts)

Sabers says that staff is trying to figure out how to stop the spread attack of the Maroons. He says there’s good athletes on the field from Connor Bravard, Amarah Darboh, Dalton Parrott. But it may be Eric Lee that certainly has their attention. Sabers says the closest team they’ve faced that’s like West Des Moines Dowling Catholic is Linn-Mar of Marion. A team they beat twice this year.

But where one student stumbled, another stepped beyond his troubled past and into the spotlight.

The Little Hawks average 39.9 points a game, but have yet to score over 50 this season. They’ve scored 40+ in 8 games (5 of their last 6) and the closest game was a 26-24 win over Xavier of Cedar Rapids when their freshman kicker, Drew Cornwell, booted the winning field goal as time expired.

The Maroons are in their 10th title game looking to hoist the trophy for the first time since 2001. This is Coach Wilson’s 4th trip to the title game. The Maroons advance with a 24-21 win over Ankeny in the semi’s last week.

I linked several stories earlier Thursday here. We go on the air at 530 from Cedar Falls and the UNI-Dome. Kickoff is scheduled for 705. We’ll have the coverage on AM1150 KWKY with Dave Marcoulier, Brian Morris and Romelle Slaughter handling the on-line duties at http://www.Twitter.com/KWKYSports. My name is Paul Yeager, we hope you can join us for what should be a great game.

City Hi and Dowling preview later today

STEVE GIBBONS/SPECIAL FOR THE REGISTER Dowling receiver Amara Darboh hauls in a 50-yard pass from quarterback Connor Bravard during Friday's game at Ankeny. (October 1st Game)

I’m working the real IPTV job today, but will have plenty to post tonight on the Dowling Catholic and City High match up.

Our on-air coverage begins Friday at 530p, that’s a different start time, so please be advised. We’ve got some segments that are not the norm, one includes the return of Wahoo Marcoulier.

There’s been a lot of print already this week about various story lines surrounding the game.

Our sideline reporter Brian Morris says he found this state, but so Iowa Prep Fanatic had already posted the story. The story involves the production of QB Connor Bravard.

Here’s the IowaPrepSports.com feature on all the state title games.

The Iowa City Press Citizen posted this story of a comeback kid earlier this week about Cedric Readus and the ups and downs he’s gone through in his high school career.

If you’re looking to review the entire season, here’s the section of the blog to do that.

Tonight’s post will include a conversation I had with City High head coach Dan Sabers. That story is now live here.
And if you’ve got ideas on the top 5 plays of the year, put them in the comments below.

No fires or blood yet as YBHA IV hits halftime

Amy holds Noah and Levi prior to her departure.

Hard to believe we are almost half-way through the 4th installment of the Yeager Boys Home Alone. Here’s a little recap on what YBHA means (YBHA1). It is a fun distraction as I also get ready for the 4A championship game in Cedar Falls on Friday night.

This week, Amy has returned to Holland for more work. We’re just hoping there’s no volcano to delay this return home.

We are in the middle this week. Let’s get caught up on what’s happened so far.

We did the Saturday drop-off this weekend to begin the YBHA4.

Before Amy left, we did the ceremonial picture of her and the boys. The only time we didn’t take this sort of picture, Amy decided she wanted to drive 19 hours from Holland to Madrid.

The cleaner, the player and the ping-pong paddler.

Following the Des Moines International Airport, we headed for Aunt Kris‘ house. Maddox was ready to see Levi. Or Wee-vi as he calls him. Maddox only knows Levi, he wasn’t sure on what Noah‘s name was. Mad-dog will be 2 on Thanksgiving, so he and the 1 year-old, Levi, didn’t really play well together. They are still working those issues out.

But when they did invade the basement, Levi was entertained with a broom while Noah and Maddox tried to play ping-pong. Toys R Us will not using these boys for their next commercial.

Maddox, Noah and Levi are pretty worn out after an evening of playtime.

Noah was very interested in the ping-pong table and wanted to play that all night. Noah is just practicing for Thanksgiving when we’ll be back at Kris and Brian’s for a wonderful holiday experience.

 

Following the playing, the boys were tired. Actually, that’s as close as I came to getting them to pose together for a picture.

Maybe in year.

Ok, who am I kidding. They likely won’t sit still for a photo until they graduate high school.

Grandma Honey, Noah, Levi, Farmer Papa survived the night together.

Sunday brought the Jesup cavalry. Grandma Honey and Farmer Papa helped watch the boys as I had a call committee meeting. Noah just had a simple instruction, not to listen to anything Grandpa Fish had to say. Easier said that done, but my father loves kids this age, he can just tease them and get them all riled up and it is quite enjoyable to watch.

Monday put us back into preschool and day care. No big surprises there. I just needed Grandma Paula and Grandpa Wil to be on stand by as I had to go to Jefferson to talk to their Rotary. I also snuck in a quick trip to see Aunt Lynda and Barb and Uncle Harold and also my cousin Laura.

Tuesday morning was a little different as Wil and Paula got the boys to school so I could get to West Des Moines by 7a for another IPTV speaking engagement. That will hopefully be the last of the excitement.

We did make it to Kindermusik tonight without many issues. Levi was getting tired and just wanted to go home and go to bed. Hopefully he stays asleep all night.

Now time to get ready for Dowling and City High…

Epic? Close. Season over? Not yet.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Dowling's Amara Darboh celebrates what proved to be the game winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter during their Class 4A State Football semifinal game against Ankeny at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. Dowling came from behind to win 24-21. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

Sometimes, you have just let kids be kids and let them play.
If West Des Moines Dowling Catholic coach Tim Wilson knew that his big play receiver didn’t know the correct formation, he may have burned a time out late in the 4th quarter to make sure everyone was on the same page.

The Maroons were driving to the north end zone Friday night in the Class 4A semi-final against Ankeny. Amarah Darboh lined up on the right side of the formation. QB Connor Bravard saw him out there as the only receiver. Problem is, the Ankeny defense didn’t see Darboh. Bravard hurried to the line to snap the football, but by the time the defensive back got there, he did recover on the ‘out’, but on the ‘up’ route, Darboh dove for the pass and scored the go-ahead and winning touchdown for the Maroons.

KWKY analyst Dave Marcoulier saw that no one was on Darboh and that’s the only place we were looking during that call. We thought that was the way it was drawn up until Darboh spilled the beans to our sideline reporter Brian Morris in the postgame interview.

The Maroons rolled Ankeny 42-0 back on October 1st, but you knew that wouldn’t happen again. Not with Jerry Pezzetti still coaching. Ankeny had a score to settle with the Maroons.

Early on, neither team was scoring, including DCHS. The Maroons marched the opening kickoff down the field, but would have the 15-play drive stall out on a missed 28 yard field goal by Mac Chapman.

The Dowling defense forced a three and out with the Hawks only moving forward 2 yards on three plays. Then another sustained drive would end on 4th and 8 pass to give the Hawks the ball back on their own 28.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Ankeny's Austin Fischer celebrates a 72-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter that gave them a 7-0 lead over Dowling during the Class 4A State Football semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

The Hawks started the drive with a penalty and were in the hole with 3rd and 10 when Joel Lanning found Austin Fischer for the pass and Fischer did the rest sprinting 72 yards for the first points of the game, 7-0 Ankeny to end the 1st Quarter.

The Maroons would punt after 7 plays and all of sudden Maroon fans were wondering if they were re-living the semi-final against Marshalltown a year earlier.

Then the Hawks mounted a 80 yard drive which included a 3rd and 4th down conversion and two big runs by Carter Brandt, capped by Joel Lanning sneaking into the house to put Ankeny up 14-0 with 2:43 left in the 2nd Quarter.

Dowling faithful checked again to if it was 2009.

It is 2010.

Back came the Maroons. Dalton Parrott set the tone for the drive with a 23 yard carry. Connor Bravard also played lights out in this game, he really took command of this team. It looked like Parrott scored a 20 yard TD run, but he slowed up a step at the one and got popped by Matt Andriano, jarring the ball loose and Parrott to the UNI-Dome turf for about 4 minutes.

Connor Bravard would go up the middle on 4th and goal to get the Maroons on the board before half to cut the lead to 14-7.

Mac Chapman would shake the first missed FG with a 42 yarder to pull his team within 4.

Ankeny would miss a FG from 44 yards and the Maroons would take advantage with a 1 yd TD QB sneak by Connor Bravard. Dowling took their first lead of the game at 10:52 in the 4th Quarter. Maroons led 17-14 after the 10 plays, 80 yard drive.

Ankeny wasn’t done as a great play call on a reverse to Greg Raney and the Hawks were back in the lead with 6:35 left.

Big runs by Dalton Parrott got the Maroons to the 14 when Darboh was left uncovered and made another fantastic catch. Parrott topped the 1,000 yard rushing mark with a 17 carry, 128 yard night. Bravard also topped 1,000 yards rushing with his 136 yard game on 23 carries.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Dowling's Tyler Harmeyer, Tommy Miller and Caleb Thomson converge on Ankeny quarterback Joel Lanning in the second quarter during the Class 4A State Football semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

The defense picked off a Lanning pass and converted a 4th and 1 to seal the win, 24-21.

WHO-TV13 reporter Shawn Terrell said in his 10p report this was probably the 2nd best high school football game he’d seen following last year’s Marshalltown game. I’d say this was the second best this season with the win over Valley in overtime.

This game did have a strong intensity on both sides of the ball. There appeared to be a few extra hits and words, but it was two great teams in a heavyweight bout. Following the game the two teams shared locker room space. For Dowling, the players couldn’t celebrate too much in front of the team they just sent to the sidelines.

Little things like that are forgiven when you win. Maybe a few too many plays east and west and not north and south. Just ask Marty Tirrell and John McDermott as the Ankeny fans were calling Marty after the game to complain. Our broadcast spot was 6 seats away and we could clearly hear the Mouth of The Midwest sounding off.

Dowling will return to the title game for the first time since 2001 on Friday against City High of Iowa City. The Little Hawks downed the Bettendorf Bulldogs 21-7.

For a look at more interviews from Dowling, check out the No, It’s Iowa blog by Jesse Gavin. Also, check out Romelle Slaughter’s view on the season on his blog as well. A big thanks to Romelle for his hard work this season in keeping us on the air and sounding good.

Kick off Friday is at 705. We’ll have the game on AM1150 KWKY in Des Moines. I’m Paul Yeager, we’ll see you next time.

Ankeny/Dowling Semi finals ‘live’ blog

Saturday AM Update:
I will tidy this up a bit today and then write the game recap. Great game between Ankeny and Dowling. A few stories to share from the locker room and the press box you’ll want to read about later today. Look for it tonight around 10p. We’re getting ready for another YBHA week. Regular readers of this blog know what that means. You’ve all been warned. -Paul

Thanks to Jesse Gavin of No, It’s Iowa blog and Mike Ferlazzo of the Iowa Sports Connection for joining us at halftime. Here’s Jesse’s post game interviews with Connor Bravard and Dalton Parrott. Then you can do a little study on the Little Hawks.

Greetings from the UNI-Dome. I’ll do what I can to keep this updated during the game. A preview lives here.

We’re only on AM1150 in Des Moines tonight, no Internet streaming is allowed by the IAHSAA.
We’ll have most of the in-game updates on http://www.Twitter.com/KWKYSports

Thanks.

• BTW, 7-7 Bettendorf and City High with 8:56 left in the 3rd Quarter. Great game.
• City High scores two 4th Quarter scores to pull ahead 21-7.
• Final from the UNI-Dome as City High advances to the championship game with a 21-7 win over Bettendorf. The Little Hawks play in the title game next Friday night at 730p at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. I did see KWQC’s Dan Pearson and the former TV6′r, now WQAD sports guy, Kory Kuffler in the house on Friday.
• 72 yard TD pass to Austin Fischer from Joel Lanning, 7-0 Ankeny. :07 1st Quarter.
• 1 yard TD run by Joel Lanning puts Ankeny up 14-0. 2:43 2nd Quarter. that capped a 11 play, 80 yard drive. Big plays a run by Carter Brandt.
• Connor Bravard on 4th and Goal from the one foot line scores to cut the lead in half, 14-7 Ankeny.
• 3rd Q: 42 yard FG by Mac Chapman. 14-10 Ankeny leads with 6:36 left in the 3rd Q.
• Dowling driving, but the 3rd quarter ends. Ball on Ankeny 11 to start the 4th Quarter. 14-10 Ankeny leads.
• 1 yd TD QB sneak by Connor Bravard, Dowling takes lead for the first time tonight at 10:52 in the 4th Quarter. Maroons lead 17-14. 10 plays, 80 yard drive.
• Ankeny counters with the reverse from 9 yards out, Greg Raney scores the TD, Hawks 21 Maroons 17.
• TD pass to Amarah Darboh for 14 yards TD. 5 plays, 64 yard drive for the Maroons. 24-21 Dowling leads. 4:21 left 4th Q.
• Dowling converts on 4th down to seal the game, 24-21. The Maroons back to the state title game for the first time since 2001. They will play City High at 730 in Cedar Falls.

Return trip for unfinished business

The UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Since about 7:15p on November 13th, 2009, underclassmen players of the West Des Moines Dowling Catholic football vowed to be on the same UNI-Dome turf a year later and take that final step to the championship game and win the title.

Gentlemen, your opportunity is here. What will you do with it?

There’s a team sharing the same route to the UNI-Dome from the CIML Central, the Ankeny Hawks.

The same Hawk team in name the Maroons clobbered back on October 1st, 42-0. That game featured a great performance by the Tom Wilson coached bunch.

The Maroons forced 4 turnovers, 2 on special teams and could do no wrong, while the Hawks struggled to move the football gaining only 76 yards rushing and 73 yards passing.

But things are different this time.

Ankeny had a chance to heal key players, fix what went wrong and beating a team for the second time in a season is always tough.

Sure, some of that is coach speak, but much of it true.

Coach Jerry Pezzetti told me earlier this week they know what mistakes they made the first time around. They know they have some holes to fix and they’ve addressed them. There’s also some new players in new positions, but in reality, Ankeny football has gone back to being Ankeny football, which means they are running it the ‘ole Ankeny way, misdirection.

Pezzetti is in his 49th year of coaching with a career record of 349-139-1. He’s won 289 games at Ankeny. Tom Wilson is in his 19th year as a head coach with the last 6 at Dowling Catholic. His career record is 149-51 and 58-11 wearing the Maroon and White.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Ankeny's Joel Lanning tries to elude Urbandale's Jordan Augustine in the first quarter during their Class 4A playoff game at Frerichs Filed in Urbandale Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register

Ankeny running back Rob Myers suffered an injury during the season and the post-season, but he’s back in the starting line up both on offense and defense. He’ll be the first one through with the speedy Carter Brandt right behind, and if those two don’t get the ball, look for QB Joel Lanning to keep the ball. Lanning has been the team’s leading rusher (Johnston 10-68 and Ottumwa 11-53) but had 19 carries against Urbandale with Carter Brandt getting 96 yards on 13 carries.

Also look for more carries by Joe Bredice, another senior pushed into double duty to get the job done.

Justin Hayworth/The Register Ankeny's Carter Brandt slips by Urbandale's Gabriel Moreno for a touchdown during their Class 4A playoff game at Frerichs Filed in Urbandale Friday night. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)

One thing that is consistent in the Ankeny offensive scheme since the Dowling drubbing is even number of carries among players. Against Johnston, Lanning had 10 carries, Brandt, Trevor Egli and Jordan Studer all carrying the ball 8 times. Rob Myers was right there with 6 touches.

Coming into the Week 6 matchup, Ankeny ran the ball an average of 41 plays and passed it 12 times a game. Since Dowling, the average dropped to 36 carries and 9.4 passes per contest. Not a big change in offense, just fewer offensive plays.

The Hawks are 4-1 in the game following the Dowling Catholic matchup with a win over Johnston and close loss to Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln before beating Ottumwa (5-4), Waukee (4-6) and Urbandale (5-6) in the road to the Dome. Waukee and Urbandale were 3-6 going into the playoffs.

The Maroons beat Marshalltown (3-6), 7-3 WDM Valley and 9-2 Ames to get back to the campus of the University of Northern Iowa’s sports complex.

If the Hawks win, they’re back in the title game for the first time since being runner-up in 2007. A Dowling win puts the Maroons back in the title game for the first time since 2001 when they completed back to back championships.

Coach Pezzetti told his players this week they have a shot and need to commit fewer errors if they want to win this game. He says his team has a different attitude since that last matchup and know how quickly the game can change.

This time, they hope they are on the side the game that puts them in control.

Our pregame show on AM1150 begins at 6p Friday night. There is no internet streaming of the game, per IAHSAA rules. We will do our best to update drives, scoring and stats on our Twitter feed at http://www.Twitter.com/KWKYSports. Kickoff is set for 730, but we are following the City High (Iowa City) and Bettendorf playoff game. The winners play next Friday in Cedar Falls.

A couple of storylines to follow Friday night: QB Connor Bravard is 98 yards short of 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Dalton Parrott is 55 yards short of 1,000 for the 2010 campaign.

Also, Bravard’s cousin is Ankeny’s big tackle, Cameron Griffith.

For Dave Marcoulier, Brian Morries, Romelle Slaughter and Tim Burrow, I’m Paul Yeager, thanks for reading and listening.