Two schools take title, one runner-up in state football

Three diocesan Catholic high schools saw action on the gridiron at the University of Northern Iowa Dome in Cedar Falls in the 2025 Iowa high school football tournament with two taking home titles and one capturing second place.

On Nov. 20, Bishop Garrigan High School of Algona won the eight-player state title defeating Woodbine High School 44-42. They made it to the title game by defeating Audubon High School 60-36 in the semifinals Nov. 12.

In the championship game, Woodbine was up 20-14 at the half and boosted its lead to 36-14 at the end of the third period. With 2.32 remaining in the game, Garrigan tied it at 36-36. Woodbine scored a touchdown with 1:09 on the clock but failed in a two-point conversion. Garrigan answered with another touchdown to tie the game at 42-42 and a successful 2-point conversion gave them the lead for the first time in the game at 44 and the victory.

Kuemper Catholic High School of Carroll took home the Class 2A championship defeating Van Meter 28-7 in the title game Nov. 21. In semifinals on Nov. 15, Kuemper defeated Wilton High School 49-21.

The Kuemper Knights made two touchdowns in the second period with good kicks for the added point bringing their lead at halftime to 14-0. Kuemper scored again in third period with the lead going into the final period at 0-21. Van Meter made a touchdown with 5:37 remaining in the game and Kuemper answered with another score and good kick to bring final score to 28-7.

Also in tournament play Nov. 21, Bishop Heelan High School of Sioux City was runner up in the Class 3A title match with a loss to Nevada High School 6-27. The Bishop Heelan Crusaders had advanced to the title game after defeating Wahlert Catholic High School 34-21 in semifinals on Nov. 15.

Nevada came out early with a field goal at 5:40 in first period followed by a touchdown and good kick, ending first period at 10-0. The Nevada lead increased to 13-0 in second period. In the third period, Bishop Heelan scored a touchdown, but the kick failed to bring the score to 13-6. Nevada had two more touchdowns with good kicks to clench the championship 27-6.

Special honors
Seven Iowa high school seniors – one from each class – received a 2025 Iowa Bankers Association Student Athlete Achievement Award during the championships in Cedar Falls. They each received a $1,000 scholarship to the college of his choice.

Among the scholarship recipients were two diocesan school students:
Eight-player: Tate Foertsch, Bishop Garrigan High School
Class 3A: Zackary Harpenau, Bishop Heelan High School

Two diocesan football players have been recognized by High School on SI (Sports Illustrated) as the MVP (most valuable player) for their class. On the sports news outlet’s website it stated they have narrowed down the MVP for each class and now want the public to vote on the top player for the Iowa high school football championships. CLICK HERE to cast vote by Nov. 28.

Among the seven football players listed as MVPs for their class are Brock Badding of Kuemper for Class 2A and Tate Foertsch of Garrigan for eight-man.

Volleyball tournament
Earlier this month, Kuemper High School was the only diocesan Catholic school to make it to the state volleyball tournament.

On Nov. 4, Kuemper defeated Red Oak High School to advance to the Class 3A semifinals on Nov. 5. Davenport Assumption 21-25-25-25 advanced past Kuemper 25-17-17-16. 

Assumption went on to capture the tournament title with a win against Humboldt High School.
Addy Anthofer of Kuemper was named to the Class 3A All-Tournament Team.