The IHSAA released their first-round playoff pairings on Saturday morning Classes 2A, 1A, A and 8-player. The smaller schools went back to the 32-team format, with one-less regular season game last season, to accommodate player-safety concerns that were had with the previous 32-team format. All 4 KQ-area teams managed to qualify for the playoffs in 2022, and below are all the matchups for Class 1A and Class 2A.
South Hamilton will host the Ridge View Raptors in their first round matchup at Bill Taylor Field in Jewell. Ridge View enters as the four-seed from District 1 and have a 4-4 record. Senior QB Jake Breyfogle leads the Raptors in passing yards (494) and rushing yards (404) with 9 total touchdowns. The Raptors will have to contend with the #1 rushing attack in Class 1A from South Hamilton, who ran for 2,844 yards in the regular season.
Eagle Grove will travel to Parkersburg to take on the Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons on Friday. The Falcons are one of the top programs historically in small school football in the state of Iowa, who are making their 24th playoff appearance since 1992, following a district title in District 3. A-P has returned to their iconic Wing T offense in 2022, and quarterback Gavin Thomas and running back Aidan Junker have spearheaded a balanced attack. Eagle Grove will look to get their option game going early and keep the ball out of the A-P offense’s hands.
Roland-Story will travel to Clarinda and take on the Clarinda Cardinals in the Class 2A Playoffs. The Norsemen enter as the three-seed against a Clarinda team that won their last 3 games to clinch a home playoff game. The Cardinals lead a balanced offensive attack with 1,000-yard rusher in Tadyn Brown, along with senior quarterback Wyatt Schmitt, who has been interception-prone in 2022, which could spell trouble against a Norsemen defense who’s collected 11 interceptions this season. Roland-Story’s offense will look to establish Jonovan Wilkinson early and often on Friday.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows will travel to Osage and take on the Osage Green Devils in their first round matchup. The Cowboys enter as the 4-seed, but have a favorable matchup with the champions of District 3. Max Knudsen has led the offensive attack for the Green Devils offense, with nearly 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns, as well as his favorite target in Landon Arends. Clarion’s unique 3-3-5 stack defense will provide a challenge for the Osage offense.
Full Previews will be released Wednesday for this week’s playoff matchups.