In a thrilling display of high school football prowess, Dowling Catholic reclaimed its throne as the Class 5A state champion, leaving Iowa City Liberty in the dust with a decisive 27-10 victory. But here's where it gets controversial—was this win a testament to Dowling's dominance, or did Liberty's quarterback injury tip the scales? Let’s dive in.
The Maroons’ triumph marked their first state title since 2019, and it was a wire-to-wire showcase of their relentless offense and stingy defense. Leading the charge was running back Ian Middleton, whose 206 rushing yards and two touchdowns were nothing short of spectacular. His performance wasn’t just about stats—it was about setting the tone. On the first drive alone, Middleton carried the ball seven times for 50 yards, capping it off with a 25-yard touchdown run that put Dowling up 7-0 early in the first quarter. And this is the part most people miss—Middleton’s ability to control the clock and wear down defenses was a game-changer.
Dowling’s defense was equally ferocious, with 11 tackles for loss, including four from defensive end Ryan Bobo. When Liberty’s offense took the field, they faced constant pressure, making it nearly impossible to establish any rhythm. By the end of the first half, Dowling led 10-3, thanks to a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Kuhn, set up by Middleton’s 34-yard run.
But Liberty didn’t go down without a fight. After a 39-yard field goal by Collin Weiss cut the deficit to 10-3, the Lightning faced a major setback when starting quarterback Reece Rettig left the field with an injury. Backup Emerson Berner stepped in, going 8-for-12 for 54 yards, but the offense struggled to find its footing. Rettig returned in the second half, but by then, Dowling had already pulled away.
The Maroons opened the third quarter with Middleton’s 28-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 17-3. A perfectly executed play-action pass from Joey Nahas to Jeffrey Roberts for 67 yards and a touchdown put Dowling firmly in control at 24-3. Liberty finally found the end zone late in the third quarter on a five-yard pass from Rettig to Adrian Clerry, but it was too little, too late. Dowling sealed the deal with a 26-yard field goal from Kuhn, making it 27-10.
While Liberty’s 11-2 season was historic—their first-ever title game appearance with wins over rivals like Waukee Northwest and Southeast Polk—Dowling’s victory was a reminder of their dynasty. With 11 state titles, the Maroons are second only to Harlan’s 14 in Iowa history. Head coach Tom Wilson credited his players, calling it a “player-led team,” but here’s the question: Did Liberty’s quarterback injury unfairly skew the outcome, or was Dowling simply the better team?
Liberty coach Scott Chandler praised his “undersized, scrappy” team for fighting their way to the championship, but Dowling’s dominance was undeniable. Aside from their Week 1 loss to Valley, the Maroons breezed through their schedule, avenging that defeat in the state semifinals. Middleton’s performance, combined with a rock-solid defense, left no doubt about their deserving the title.
What do you think? Was Dowling’s win a true reflection of their superiority, or did Liberty’s injury woes play a bigger role than we’re acknowledging? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
