Valley (West Des Moines, Iowa) vs. Dowling (West Des Moines, Iowa), Friday
Valley looks to move to 11-2 and earn a place in the Iowa 4A state title game with a win over Dowling on Friday.
Photo by Chad Bassman
Another page to written in the history of one of Iowa's best cross-town rivalries, with a trip to the 4A state championship game on the line. Valley (10-2) has strung together nine straight wins after losing two of its first three games of the season, including against Dowling on Sept. 6. A big reason for the turnaround has been the emergence of running
Tyus Mason. The senior ran for 470 yards — the second-highest total in state history — along with five touchdowns in a 63-20 rout of previously unbeaten Ames last week. He has 904 yards in three playoff games and is just shy of 2,000 for the season. State-No. 1 Dowling (12-0) survived and advanced with a 14-9 win over upset-minded Waukee. Junior quarterback
Ryan Boyle led the Maroons with 154 rushing yards.
Just the facts: These teams have combined to win eight Class 4A titles since 2000. Valley was crowned champion in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2011. Dowling won it all in 2000, 2001 and 2010. … Friday's semifinal will be the 15th meeting between the teams since 2004 with six of those games coming in the postseason. Dowling has won five of the last seven but Valley has an 8-6 edge during that stretch overall.
Mitch Stephens: Dowling 35, Valley 28
Kevin Askeland: Dowling 42, Valley 28
Jamie DeMoney: Valley 37, Dowling 34
Stephen Spiewak: Dowling 42, Valley 28
Leland Gordon: Valley 16, Dowling 14
Colin Ward-Henninger: Valley 21, Dowling 17
