RECAP: Southeast Polk, Ankeny punch tickets to Iowa high school football Class 5A title game

The Iowa high school semifinals, at least for the state’s largest class, are in the books.

On Friday night, four teams battled and only two made it out the other side to punch their tickets to the Iowa high school state title game.

In the first game, Southeast Polk took down Valley in overtime, 30-27. In the second game, a crosstown rivalry, Ankeny’s offense did just enough to take down Ankeny Centennial, 10-7.

The Rams will take on Ankeny on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. But before we get to that game, catch up on all the highlights and action below from both of those nail-biters from the UNI-Dome on Friday.

More: How to watch, stream 2023 Iowa high school football games at the UNI-Dome

FINAL: Ankeny 10, Ankeny Centennial 7

The Hawks topple their crosstown rival for the second time this season. Ankeny will meet up with undefeated Southeast Polk for the Class 5A state title next week.

4Q/0:07 Centennial field goal goes wide

Ankeny Centennial claws its way into field goal range to try to tie the game, but a 39-yard attempt sails wide left.

Ankeny takes over with seven seconds remaining. They’ll have a date with Southeast Polk next week in the state title game.

4Q/0:21 Lawson Langford with a huge catch

The receiver hauls in a 25-yard catch to get the Jags down to the Ankeny 25-yard line. They’re on the fringe of field goal range now. Would be about a 42 yarder from here.

4Q/1:09 Ankeny punts it away

Hawks have a fourth and short deep in their own territory. They tried to draw Centennial offside, but it didn’t work.

They punt the ball here and Centennial takes over at their own 45.

That’s 55 yards to score a TD, about 30 for field goal range with no timeouts.

Ankeny up 10-7.

4Q/5:22 Third interception of the night for Ankeny

Trenton Smith decides to take a deep shot around midfield. He throws into double coverage and it’s picked off by Nolan Dalton for the Hawks at the Ankeny 7 yard line.

Jags having no timeouts really a big factor here. Ankeny could run out the clock with a few first downs.

Hawks up 10-7.

4Q/8:16 Braeden Jackson gets loose

He finds a hole for 19 yards, his longest run of the night, on third-and-10. It’s the first sign of life from Centennial’s offense in the second half.

They’re near midfield now trying to tie the game or take the lead. Ankeny leads Centennial 10-7.

Jags just burned their last time out

4Q/10:17 Centennial goes three-and-out

After the missed field goal, the Hawks force a punt. The Ankeny offense will be on the field, drive starting at their own 42.

4Q/11:46 Ankeny can’t capitalize on short field

Despite having first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, the Hawks can’t put points on the board. The Centennial defense held firm and forced a short field goal attempt, which was pushed wide to the right.

Ankeny still leads 10-7.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Ankeny 10, Ankeny Centennial 7

Hawks have a second-and-goal from the 2 to start the final frame.

3Q/0:36 Another pick for the Hawks

On fourth-and-3 Centennial tries a quick pass, but Jacob Mohrfeld reads the route perfectly, jumps it and returns the ball 61 yards to the Centennial 4-yard line.

Ankeny has a huge chance to take control of this game now.

Check out our photo gallery from the first half

3Q/6:57 Ankeny takes the lead

The Hawks capitalized on the interception thanks to a 44-yard field goal from Ryan Harrington. The kick was set up by a 45-yard pitch and catch from Luke Anderson to Evan Irlmeier earlier in the drive.

Ankeny up 10-7

3Q/9:37 Ankeny gets a pick on Centennial

The Jags had good field position after a short punt, but quarterback Trenton Smith let the ball hang for a little too long on a third-down and it was picked off by the Hawks’ Kinnick Vos.

Hawks start their drive with the ball on their own 20 after a penalty on the return.

Still tied 7-7

3Q/12:00 Back underway from Cedar Falls

Ankeny gets the ball to start the second half tied up at 7.

HALFTIME: Ankeny 7, Ankeny Centennial 7

The Jags have controlled the game for the vast majority of the first half, but two mistakes on field goals kept Ankeny in it. The Hawks have taken momentum heading into the half now and get the ball to start the third quarter.

Q2/1:25 Ankeny ties the game thanks to Daniel Larmie

The Hawks show life on offense for the first time today and put together a nice long drive, spanning 10 plays and 80 yards. Running back Daniel Larmie put the offense on his back in that one, with a 3-yard touchdown run. The biggest play of the drive was a 28-yard rush from Larmie.

All tied up at 7 between Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial

Q2/5:00 Another long Centennial drive turns into 0 points

The Jags went on a 13-play, 49-yard drive. But a third-down sack by Ankeny’s Connor Kayser made a field goal a lot tougher. The attempted kick, from 48 yards out, had the distance but went wide left.

Centennial still up 7-0. Ankeny gets the ball at their own 20 to start their drive.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Ankeny Centennial 7, Ankeny 0

Hawks still don’t have a first down on the night. Centennial leads time of possession 10:06 to 1:54

1Q/0:43 Braeden Jackson finds paydirt for Centennial

The junior RB finds the end zone on a jet sweep to the right side of the field. That’s Jackson’s eighth score of the season. Jags take a 7-0 lead after a seven-play, 61-yard drive.

Still no Elijah Porter out on the field, but the Jags seem to be doing OK without him so far.

1Q/3:17 Quick three-and-out for Ankeny

After an encroachment penalty set Ankeny up with first-and-5, they couldn’t get a first down and had to punt back to Centennial.

The Jags take over at their own 39. Something to monitor: Jags star RB Elijah Porter hasn’t been out on the field so far.

1Q/4:28 Centennial drives down the field, can’t get on the board

The Jaguars drove down the field to the red zone on the back of Braeden Jackson. They faced a fourth-and-1 and lined up to go for it, but a false start pushed them back five yards and forced them to take a field goal try.

The attempt was blocked and the Hawks take over at their own 20 after a short return.

1Q/12:00 We’re underway

Ankeny wins the toss and defers to the second half. That means Centennial will start with the ball.

Let’s have some fun

7:20 About 20 minutes from kick for Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial

FINAL: Southeast Polk 30, Valley 27

CJ Phillip scores his third touchdown of the day to seal it for the Rams.

Southeast Polk remains undefeated while the Tigers end their season at 6-6.

Rams will face the winner of the Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial semifinal coming up later tonight.

1OT Valley adds a FG

Southeast Polk’s Caleb Chebuhar makes a massive tackle for loss on third down to shut down any chance Valley had of getting a TD.

Rico Alvarenga-Servellon drills a short FG for Valley to give them a 27-24 lead.

Rams have the ball now. TD wins it, FG extends it to 2OT. No score and Valley wins

1OT Valley on offense first

END OF REGULATION: Southeast Polk 24, Valley 24

Each team gets the ball at the 10-yard line. Kind of like the college game. No time on the clock.

Let’s have some (more) fun!

4Q/0:04 Valley finds the end zone to tie it

Wow! Sophomore QB Drake DeGroote tosses it up to the front pylon and Jayden McGregory comes down with it in the end zone.

Tigers kick the PAT to tie it up at 24. Looks like OT on the horizon.

4Q/0:19 Valley is driving

The Tigers are driving down the field with relative ease, they’re down to the Southeast Polk 30 yard line. They still haven’t used their final time out, either

Down 24-17 with a trip to the state title game on the line.

4Q/1:16 Southeast Polk re-takes the lead

Gutty drive from Southeast Polk to take the lead. It goes 70 yards in seven plays and ends with a one-yard score from CJ Phillip. He’s up to 119 yards rushing on the day with two scores.

Rams up 24-17

Tigers have just over a minute to try to tie it up or take the lead. One timeout remaining for Valley.

4Q/1:18 Southeast Polk down to the 1

The Rams have driven the ball down to the one yard line. They face second and goal with the game on the line, all tied up at 17.

Valley has one timeout remaining.

4Q/3:52 Valley finds paydirt to tie it up

Valley engineered a seven-play, 75-yard drive, capitalized by a Darius Mason score on third and goal.

The PAT makes it 17-17 with just under four minutes to play

4Q/6:48 Valley picks off Southeast Polk

The Rams were driving and Connor Moberly took a shot deep. But the ball hung in the air just a little too long. Jayden McGregory, the hero of Valley’s quarterfinal win, came over to pick the ball off.

Valley, down 17-10, will start this drive at their own 25.

4Q/11:56 Rams opt for the field goal

Facing a fourth and short, Southeast Polk opts to take three points instead of risking the turnover. Hunter Chanthaphon’s 30-yarder is good to give the Rams a 17-10 lead to start the fourth quarter.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Southeast Polk 14, Valley 10

Southeast Polk is driving down the field but faces a fourth-and-1 from the Valley 13-yard line.

The Rams got down there after a nifty run from Landon Vander Werff, who kept his body off the ground and broke like, six tackles, on his way into Valley territory.

Let’s find out what the Rams do on this critical fourth down to start the final frame.

3Q/2:25 Valley adds a field goal to cut the deficit

The Tigers offense has found a groove thanks, in large part, to senior running back Damon Head. Valley rides Head and the running game all the way down to the red zone before the drive stalls out.

But Rico Alvarenga-Servellon drills a 33-yarder to make it a 14-10 game.

3Q/6:42 Valley taking control of momentum

After scoring a touchdown the Tigers force a three-and-out. Southeast Polk punts back to Valley and they’ll start their drive, looking to tie the game, at their own 36.

Tigers down 14-7

3Q/7:41 Valley gets on the board

The Tigers clearly made some halftime adjustments, marching down the field. Valley’s five play scoring drive was all on the ground, covering 60 yards in just under two minutes.

Damon Head put an exclamation point on the drive when he found a hole and sprinted away from the defense from 21-yards out.

Southeast Polk up 14-7. We’ve got a game.

Check out our photos from the first half

3Q/9:22 Valley defense forces turnover on downs

The Rams were marching down the field, but the Valley defense held firm on fourth-and-short when Connor Moberly tired a QB sneak. They ended just short of converting, giving Valley the ball back at their own 40.

3Q/12:00 Back underway

Connor Moberly and the Rams will have the ball, up 14-0 over Valley.

HALFTIME: Southeast Polk 14, Valley 0

Rams will get the ball to start the second half.

2Q/0:09 Valley can’t connect on FG

After an impressive kick return and solid drive down the field, the Tigers couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone.

They settled for a 20-yard FG attempt, but it sailed wide. Southeast Polk takes over from inside their own 10, up 14-0.

2Q/1:30 Southeast Polk extends its lead

CJ Phillip finds paydirt from four yards out to take a 14-0 lead over Valley.

That play capped a nine-play, 76-yard drive that ate up 4:46 of clock. They were also aided by two pass interference calls.

Valley will need to answer fast because the Rams get the ball first in the second half as well.

2Q/6:16 Rams force a three-and-out

Southeast Polk's defense holds, getting a negative yardage play on third and short to force a punt. I don’t believe the Tigers have crossed midfield on offense yet.

Moberly and Co. get the ball back at their own 24

2Q/ 8:31 Valley defense holds

Connor Moberly unleashes a deep shot on third down, but Jack Filloon can’t haul it in and the Rams punt it away. Valley takes over at their own 30 after the punt.

END 1: Southeast Polk 7, Valley 0

The Rams have been dominating, posting 113 total yards to just 59 for Valley. The big 79-yard touchdown strike is a big reason because of that, but the Tigers also have one more possession than the Rams.

Valley faces a fourth-and-12 to start the second frame from their own 43.

1Q/2:46 Valley defense stands strong

Cole Weible makes a massive play, sacking Connor Moberly on second-and-10 to make it third-and-long for the Rams. A false start then made it third-and-21. Moberly got a few yards back on a designed run to bring up fourth-and-12, which they can’t convert after some good coverage from the Tigers.

Valley will take over on its own 33.

1Q/7:32 Valley punts it away

Let's see if the Tigers' defense can contain the Southeast Polk offense. Rams start with the ball at their own 38.

1Q/8:26 Well, that was fast for Southeast Polk

One play. One touchdown. Southeast Polk takes a 7-0 lead over Valley after running just a single offensive play. Quarterback Connor Moberly, an Iowa State commit, found Carson Robbins deep down the left sideline for a 79-yard score.

Robbins caught the ball at about the 45-yard line and took it 55 yards to paydirt.

1Q/8:37 Southeast Polk defense gets off the field

The Rams gave up some yards but didn't let Valley cross midfield. Southeast Polk will take over from their own 21

1Q/12:00 We're underway from Cedar Falls

Southeast Polk kicks the ball away and the Tigers will hit the field on offense.

4:10 Not long to go now

The game has been delayed a bit to give players enough time to warm up. The previous game, a Class 1A semifinal, ran a bit late. But we should be underway here soon.

3:45 Locked in for Valley vs. Southeast Polk football

Eli is at the UNI-Dome and ready to tell the story of the first game tonight. Should be a lot of fun. The Tigers gave Southeast Polk a battle in Week 1 and that team has improved tremendously since then. But Southeast Polk has been a buzzsaw all season long.

That game is scheduled to start in just about 15 minutes.

How to Watch Class 5A Iowa HS football semifinals

As the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa High School Sports Network battle in court over whether the IHSSN can and should charge to watch Iowa high school sporting events, the news remains disappointing for fans wanting a free livestream.

The IHSSN is charging $9.99 plus tax to watch each individual game, or you can purchase a state football tournament pass for $18.99 plus tax. The latter option gives you access to all 14 semifinal matchups and all seven championship games while allowing two concurrent livestreams and 30 days of unlimited viewing.

There are additional options to watch as well. All semifinal games will be aired on IHSSN network affiliates, including Mediacom (MC22), Aureon, Premier Communications and The Community Agency (TCA). On Mediacom's channel lineup, MC22 can be found on channel 22, 722 or 822. You can also watch MC22 online here with an active Mediacom login.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Recap: Southeast Polk, Ankeny win in Iowa HS football semifinals