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 nothing short of spectacular. Led by the unstoppable Ian Middleton, Dowling’s running back, the team delivered a wire-to-wire performance that left no doubt about their superiority. Middleton’s two touchdowns and 206 rushing yards were the highlight reel of the game, but it wasn’t just about him. The Maroons’ defense was equally ferocious, with 11 tackles for loss, including four from defensive end Ryan Bobo, who made life miserable for Liberty’s offense.
And this is the part most people miss—Dowling’s early dominance set the tone for the entire game. Middleton’s seven carries for 50 yards on the first drive alone, capped by a 25-yard touchdown run, put the Maroons up 7-0 with 4:40 left in the first quarter. After halting a fake punt attempt by Liberty, Dowling capitalized on prime field position, extending their lead to 10-0 with a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Kuhn.
Liberty finally got on the board with a 39-yard field goal from Collin Weiss, narrowing the gap to 10-3. However, the game took a dramatic turn when starting quarterback Reece Rettig left the field injured midway through the second quarter. Backup Emerson Berner stepped in, going 8-for-12 for 54 yards, but the damage was done. Rettig’s return in the second half couldn’t salvage the momentum.
The second half was all Dowling. Middleton’s 28-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter made it 17-3, and a 67-yard play-action touchdown pass from Joey Nahas to Jeffrey Roberts put the Maroons firmly in control at 24-3. Liberty’s lone touchdown, a five-yard pass from Rettig to Adrian Clerry, came too late to change the outcome. Dowling sealed the deal with a 26-yard field goal, and an interception by Jordan Watson ended Liberty’s final hopes.
While Liberty’s 11-2 season was historic, reaching the title game for the first time, Dowling’s 12-1 record and revenge against Valley in the semifinals solidified their return to the top. With 11 state titles, Dowling now trails only Harlan’s 14 in Iowa history. Head coach Tom Wilson credited his players, calling it a “player-led team,” but here’s a thought-provoking question: Did Liberty’s quarterback injury unfairly sway the outcome, or was Dowling simply the better team all along? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
