Iowa High School Football Playoffs: Johnston Dominates Ankeny, Will Face Dowling Catholic For Title

Johnston completely dominated Ankeny in the first Class 5A semifinal of Iowa high school football playoff action on Friday.

The Dragons scored 28 points before the opening half ended, securing a spot in the championship game next week from the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls with a 42-7 victory.

Johnston piled up nearly 400 yards of total offense, as Trevin Helming went 17 of 19 passing for 201 and three touchdowns. Helming, a Northern Iowa commit who will be competing for playing time inside the UNI-Dome next year, hit Kamryn Chapman on all three scores.

Chapman finished with six receptions for 73 yards, as Kanaan Reinders and Jaden Houser each had three catches. Dante Davis ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns, with Emri Jones adding 82 and a score.

Zachary Grider led the Dragon defense with nine tackles, as Trace Tecklenburg had a sack. Johnston tallied six tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.

For Ankeny, Mason Machan threw for 107 yards, hitting Dreighton Tate on a touchdown pass. But the Hawks managed just 143 yards total, as Johnston held them to 36 net yards rushing.

Levi Yeager had 16 tackles and forced a fumble, as Hunter Minner recorded 11 tackles and Rowan Doak 10. Ace Parton recovered the fumble.

The Dragons, the top-ranked team in the latest High School On SI Iowa Top 25, have won 11 in a row. They have allowed a total of 21 points - seven in each game - during their three playoff appearances against Pleasant Valley, Valley and now Ankeny.

Coming into the game, the Hawks were averaging almost 40 points. During the regular season, Johnston scored a 27-0 victory over them.

Ethan La Cava, Dowling Catholic, Iowa, high school football — Dowling Catholic's Ethan La Cava (13) carries the ball up the field against Johnston on Sept. 4, 2026, at Johnston High School. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Dowling Catholic Sprints Past Southeast Polk

Defending Class 5A state champion Dowling Catholic made sure this one would not be as close as the first encounter with Southeast Polk.

Ethan La Cava threw three first half touchdown passes, helping the Maroons to a 44-14 victory over the Rams.

La Cava was 14 of 15 for 176 in the opening 24 minutes, hitting Beau Williams eight times for 122 yards and two trips to the end zone. Leyton Oldfield caught the other touchdown from the senior. La Cava finished 17-for-21 for 191, as Williams had 10 for 131.

On the ground, Henry Smid and Grayson Pennington pounded on Southeast Polk. Smid ran for 165 yards, including 77 before the break, as Pennington added 48.

The Maroons put the game out of reach when Smid broke free on a 53-yard run just minutes after Liam Mahmutagic connected on a 44-yard field goal. Jeremiah Roberson added a fumble recovery for a score.

Stanley Cooper ran for 98 yards and Brennan Swanson had eight receptions for 136 with a TD from Boston Bailey for the Rams. Bailey finished with 192 passing yards, also hitting Bryan Degen for a touchdown.

During the regular season, Southeast Polk scored a 31-28 victory over Dowling Catholic in a game that featured 28 points in the fourth. The Maroons now lead the series between powerhouse programs 9-7 since 2008.

Coming Up

On Saturday, the Class 2A semifinals will see Spirit Lake play Alburnett and Roland-Story take on Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, followed by the Class 3A semifinals featuring Algona vs. Solon and Clear Lake vs. Des Moines Christian.

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