Des Moines kicked off the 2024 Iowa high school football playoffs on Friday with the Round of 16 games across all seven classes. The action was intense, setting the stage for state semifinals at the UNI-Dome just two weeks away. Teams fought hard for a chance to compete for state titles in three weeks.
One of the standout games saw the Hawks dominate with a score of 47-21, securing a matchup against Iowa City Liberty next week in the quarterfinals. Daniel Larmie played a crucial role for the Hawks, scoring four touchdowns, including a crucial 80-yard sprint early in the game, giving his team a solid start.
On the other side of the state, the Tigers edged out a thrilling victory with a last-minute 20-yard field goal by Conley Harne, finishing the game at 31-28 and moving on to the next round. In another nail-biter, the Vikings scored late to win 15-14 thanks to a successful two-point conversion.
As the night progressed, more scores came in. Teams like the Maroons and Dragons clinched victories with final scores of 41-21 and 35-0 respectively. It’s clear that the competition is heating up as teams fight for their spot in the semifinals.
In the highly anticipated matchup of Ankeny vs. Linn-Mar, the outcome remained undecided at the time of writing, but all eyes are on the close scoring games, particularly with teams like the Black Raiders and their surprising lead over Valley.
The playoffs will continue to captivate fans with exciting moments and unexpected turns. Stay tuned as we watch the teams battle it out for a chance to be crowned champions in the upcoming weeks.
