Ankeny (Iowa) vs. Xavier (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)In its final season as a district with a single high school, Ankeny wants to leave a legacy with an undefeated record and first state championship since 2007. It would be only the second title overall for Jerry Pezzetti, who is third in Iowa history with 371 coaching wins. The Hawks (13-0) feature dual-threat quarterback
Joel Lanning, a four-year starter and Iowa State recruit. Lanning ran for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 28-12 win over Southeast Polk (Runnells) in last week's state semifinals. He has 2,188 passing and 905 rushing yards with 37 total touchdowns this season.
View the MaxPreps Iowa football playoff bracketsXavier (13-0) earned the chance to play for its first state title since 2006 by beating Cedar Falls last week, 27-6. It was the second time this season that Xavier downed the Tigers on their home field, which happens to be the University of Northern Iowa's UNI Dome and also the site of this weekend's championship games. The Saints might have the best defense in Iowa with a unit that has surrendered only eight points per game.
Mitch Stephens: Ankeny 21, Xavier 14
Steve Montoya: Xavier 17, Ankeny 14
Stephen Spiewak: Ankeny 17, Xavier 10
Kevin Askeland: Ankeny 35, Xavier 12
Leland Gordon: Ankeny 27, Xavier 21
Jamie DeMoney: Ankeny 24, Xavier 9
