By james art 
The path to the UNI-Dome is now clear for those who survive the opening rounds of the Iowa State football playoffs. You’ve now won and secured a spot in Cedar Falls and the final four of your respective ranking.
Thursday saw the quarterfinals in 8-Man, while Class A, 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A compete on Friday night. Make sure you all pick for our Pick’Em challenge.
Here’s a look at six key state games set for the quarterfinals in the quarterfinal round:
One had to wonder if we would get a rematch after Gilbert cruised to a 14-7 victory in the regular season finale over Pella. Now, thanks to playoff wins by both, we do. The Tigers and Iowa State tight end Will Hawthorne have won three straight. Hawthorne has 2,114 yards and 27 TDs on the ground. For the Dutchmen, Colin Kerndt has over 2,100 yards of total offense with 26 touchdowns, while Emmanuel Diers provides over 1,100 yards from scrimmage with 12 scores.
Two very similar teams meet for a bid for a semifinal round in 1A. South Hardin is anchored by Peyton Welch and Jackson Drury. Welch has thrown for over 1,600 yards with 20 TDs, while Drury has 1,355 yards and 20 TDs on the ground. For Dike-New Hartford, Colin Meester has over 1,000 yards passing and Noah Borcherding over 1,300 yards rushing with 23 scores. The Wolverines have won all nine of their meetings since 2008, including a 33-8 victory in 2022.
On their way to the 4A title last year, the Titans knocked ADM out of the playoffs 32-21. Lewis Central has won each of the last six meetings, including a 30-27 win last September. Senior quarterback Brady Hetzel has thrown for 2,142 yards and 23 TDs to lead the Titans as fellow running back Hudson Shull is a dual threat. The junior has 1,289 yards passing and 1,036 yards rushing with 29 combined scores.
A rematch of the regular season pitting two of the best players in 5A with Brayden Jackson leading the Jaguars and Ra’Shaud Davis the Maroons. Jackson, the son of former NFL great Fred Jackson, has over 1,100 yards rushing and is coming off a six-TD performance in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Davis has 1,125 yards and 17 scores on the ground. Dowling won the regular season, 41-35, and took three straight in the series.
In September, no team in 5A was hotter than the Tigers. The Dragons have now taken up the mantle led by Will Nuss. The veteran QB has nearly 1,700 yards passing and 16 TDs, leading Johnston to recent wins over Southeast Polk, Urbandale and Sioux City East. Valley, meanwhile, needed a field goal to avoid an upset loss to Sioux City East in the playoffs. They do lead the series, 5-1, since 2012.
The defending 8-man state champion Golden Bears have won 22 straight, but Marty Wadle’s physical defense will be tested by Pryce Rochford. The Edgewood-Colesburg senior has 2,507 yards rushing and 45 touchdowns, adding another 740 yards and 13 scores through the air. Bishop Garrigan counters with junior Tate Foertsch, who has over 1,000 yards rushing and 16 TDs, and Trayton Cink, who has rushed for 919 yards and 20 scores.