Iowa high school football 2A state championship: Van Meter's defense makes stop to clinch win

CEDAR FALLS – Tackle by tackle, Van Meter’s defense fought to hold every inch of artificial turf it could find Friday during an Iowa Class 2A state football championship instant classic. 

Facing a fourth and goal on its own 3-yard line, Van Meter prevailed, 24-21, over Central Lyon/George-Little Rock when an unanticipated snap sailed past the quarterback to end a 16-play drive that covered 77 yards and left just two seconds of the game clock. Van Meter quarterback Austin Baumhover took a knee and the Bulldogs erupted in pure jubilation after securing the program’s third consecutive state title.

Van Meter (13-0), a winner of Class 1A’s last two state champions, moved up a class and ended 2A defending state champion Central Lyon/George-Little Rock’s 25-game win streak.

“They have belief in each other,” Van Meter coach Eric Trudo said. “There’s just a lot of kids out there fighting all in the same direction for 48 minutes.

“It’s just extra special for the kids and community that we were able to finish with another state title.”

There were four lead changes during this title battle.

“It was a dogfight for four quarters and give credit to Van Meter for a heck of a game,” CL/G-LR head coach Curtis Eben said. “I’m proud of our guys. They laid it on the line, and they did everything they could to win that football game. Today we just fell a little short.”

Graham Eben rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown and quarterback Reece Vander Zee added 97 rushing yards to go with 116 passing yards for a CL/G-LR team (12-1) that scored on its final drive of the first half and opening drive of the second half to build a 21-10 lead with 6:21 remaining in the third quarter.

CL/G-LR had an opportunity to gain further separation when linebacker Drew Denekas made a nice read in coverage and recorded an interception near midfield for the game’s first turnover. But the Lions turned the ball back over on downs and Van Meter regained possession on its own 37.

Baumhover, who finished 8 of 15 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown, quickly recovered from the turnover and helped lead fourth-quarter scoring drives of 63 and 44 yards to set the final score with 4:49 remaining.

Baumhover’s first pass after the interception was caught by Cael Trudo deep for a 38-yard gain through defensive pass interference. The Van Meter quarterback then fired a 7-yard pass to Porter Doggett while being tackled for a third-down conversion to the CL/G-LR 12.

“He’s a tough kid,” Doggett said, addressing his quarterback’s resolve. “He didn’t hold himself down after that interception. He just kept on going.”

After a 5-yard Gordon run, Van Meter pulled out a trick play that it had been saving since Week 6. The football was flipped back to Baumhover following a series of reverse handoffs, and the Van Meter quarterback found a wide-open Doggett in the end zone.

Van Meter’s defense got another three-and-out and the Bulldogs received the ball with 8:40 remaining. On the drive, Ben Gordon his recovered own fumble at the 38. Baumhover found Caleb Moore cutting across the field for a 21-yard gain on a third-and-13 play, and Moore found the end zone on a 9-yard sweep.

Central Lyon/George-Little Rock recorded three first downs on its final drive before Doggett tackled Denekas at the 3-yard line on a third-and-goal play. Following a timeout with 8 seconds remaining, CL/G-LR elected to go for the win instead of a game-tying field goal attempt. Vander Zee tried to change the fourth-down play at the line of scrimmage and the ball snapped past him during the cadence.

Gordon led Van Meter’s rushing attack with 107 yards on 27 carries to finish his senior season with 2,182 rushing yards. He’s a member of a 14-person senior class that contributed to a run of three consecutive state titles.

“It’s just the grit and determination of our defense,” Gordon said. “They made plays, and we go down 21-10, but we came back and we fought back harder.

“Our coach says stay in the moment, and that’s what our defense did a great job of doing. We stayed strong at the end there.”

Teddy Sieck led the Van Meter defense with 10.5 tackles and Doggett added nine.

Added Doggett, “When we’ve got so many seniors, this is our last drive ever for almost everybody. We weren’t going to give up. Compared to all the rest of our titles, this one means the most as a senior. Central Lyon won it last year in the class above us. I’m so happy for our team.”

Scoring Summary

VAN METER 24, CENTRAL LYON/GEORGE-LITTLE ROCK 21

Central Lyon/G-LR;0;7;14;0 - 21

Van Meter;0;10;0;14 - 24

VM – Adlai Lounsbury 25 field goal

CLGLR – Graham Eben 17 pass from Reece Vander Zee (Logan Koob kick)

VM – Austin Baumhover 5 run (Katie Lindsay kick)

CLGLR – Matthew Dieren 17 pass from Vander Zee (Koob kick)

CLGLR – Eben 2 run (Koob kick)

VM – Porter Doggett 7 pass from Baumhover