Iowa high school football 3A state championship: Williamsburg blanks Sioux City Bishop Heelan

Williamsburg won its first state title

CEDAR FALLS – Curt Ritchie spent three decades coaching high school football and looking forward to the afternoon that unfolded on Friday inside the UNI-Dome. 

For the first time in a legendary career that features a 237-92 record, Williamsburg’s admittedly emotional head coach won’t have to speak to his team following a season-ending loss.

Williamsburg secured the program’s first state title with a dominant 20-0 win over Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the Class 3A championship game. The Raiders were defeated by Central Lyon/George-Little Rock in last season’s Class 2A title game, and Ritchie’s teams also finished runner-up in 2017 and 2002.

These 2023 Raiders, however, refused to be denied.

“I just wanted one time in 30-some years when I could end the season without seeing hurt,” said Ritchie, who began his coaching career at North English and English Valleys before leading Williamsburg to sustained success. “I don’t care if we’re crying, because it’s tears of joy. … I’m extremely happy for them.

“We moved up to 3A, saw our preseason schedule, and had a ton of guys to replace. I don’t know if I would have thought that this would be the year, but I knew that they were a pretty special group..”

Quarterback Derek Weisskopf and receiver Braylon Wetjen celebrate Williamsburg’s first state title. (Photo by Nick Petaros)

Williamsburg (12-1) avenged its lone regular season loss to Solon in the playoff semifinal round and showcased a group of standout two-way skill players during both of the games inside the Dome.

University of Iowa football commit Derek Weisskopf, who moved to quarterback following an injury to Kellen Cockrell in Week 5, finished 10 of 18 passing for 150 yards and two scores. Fellow senior Braylon Wetjen served as Weisskopf’s top target on this day.

Wetjen finished with six catches for 121 and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard pass reception in the first half in which he chased down a deep ball from Weisskopf.

“We’ve been best friends since we’ve been playing basketball in fifth grade,” Wetjen said, reflecting on the bond he’s developed with Weisskopf. “We’ve always had an amazing connection and we can both trust each other.”

In addition to his playmaking on offense, Wetjen added three second-half interceptions from his cornerback position to help preserve the shutout.

The Raiders finished with a 303-154 advantage in total offense. Williamsburg’s Nile Sinn rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries and Rayce Heitman added 78 rushing yards on 16 attempts, one game removed from a standout receiving performance.

Bishop Heelan’s lone trip to the red zone came when Sir Brandon Watts was tackled at the Williamsburg 5-yard line after a 27-yard gain on the final play of the first half. The Crusaders were held to 105 rushing and 49 passing yards.

“All season we knew we were a really good defensive team,” Wetjen said. “A shutout, am I surprised? No, because I feel like that’s how good we are.”

Bishop Heelan (11-2) faced early adversity during the program’s first championship appearance since 2014. Linebacker and fullback Max Delaney suffered an apparent severe leg injury in the first quarter and left the field on a stretcher.

“We had George Tsiobanos step in and play outstanding football,” Bishop Heelan coach Jon LaFleur said. “That’s what we had all year is just guys step in and take over.

“There’s been a lot of injuries. We had six guys out who probably would have been in the starting lineup, or at least playing a lot throughout the whole course of the year. But they just stuck with it and did everything we asked them to do.”

The Bishop Heelan program that won its fourth state title in 2013 had struggled recently to the tune of no more than two wins in each of the previous four seasons.

“I can’t be more proud of a set of guys in my whole life,” LaFleur said. “What they’ve done, the resiliency and character they showed is unbelievable. Obviously, things didn’t go our way today. Congrats to a really good Williamsburg team. They earned every bit of it.”

For Williamsburg’s players and their veteran coach, Friday’s championship celebration will be a memory that lasts a lifetime.

“Coach Ritchie is one of the best coaches in the state,” Weisskopf said. “Bringing this home for him and the community is awesome. I know it’s going to be a fun time once we get back to the school and the gym will probably be full.”

Scoring Summary

WILLIAMSBURG 20, BISHOP HEELAN 0

Bishop Heelan;0;0;0;0 – 0

Williamsburg;13;0;7;0 – 20

Williamsburg – Braylon Wetjen 6 pass from Derek Weisskopf (Logan Rethwisch kick)

Williamsburg – Wetjen 57 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

Williamsburg – Rayce Heitman 5 run (Rethwisch kick)