Championship Rewind: Top Performances From Inside The UNI-Dome

Prep Redzone provides coverage of a recenet combine in Kansas.

Dana Becker

November 22, 2021 @ 09:27 AM

Seven state champions were crowned last week inside the UNI-Dome, as memories were made by all involved. From eight-player to the first-ever Class 5A title game, fans around the state witnessed some of the best football action of the season. Before we begin the process of moving forward, let us look back at those games and spotlight one player from each contest. Up first is a look at the eight-player, Class A, Class 1A and Class 4A games. EIGHT-PLAYER [player_tooltip player_id="23971" first="Lane" last="Spieker"] - CAM - RB/LB - 5-9 - 175 What [player_tooltip player_id="23971" first="Lane" last="Spieker"] did this past season on the football field will never be forgotten. And on the biggest stage of his career, Spieker showed all that no matter the class, he is elite. Spieker ran for 222 yards and scored three touchdowns while also completing 7 of 13 passes for 243 and two more scores. As his Twitter handle shows, Spieker is a multi-sport standout who also shines on the baseball field. If a football coach, though, is interested in a winner who has a knack for the big play, look no further than Spieker. CLASS A Mathew Francis - West Hancock - FB/LB - 6-2 - 205 Whether it was on offense or defense, Mathew Francis was the best player on the field at all times. Francis ran for 119 yards and scored a touchdown while recording 8.5 tackles on defense. Francis has excellent size and athleticism, with his future likely at defense. He has a nose for finding the ball carrier, and once he locks in, there is no getting away from him. CLASS 1A Katie Lindsay - Van Meter - K - 5-7 - 150 When you account for five points, including the game-winning ones, you made an impact. Katie Lindsay not only did that, but she made history in the finals. Lindsay became the first girl to score in the championship round, making both extra-point attempts and knocking in a 27-yard field goal in a 17-14 victory for the Bulldogs. She has an incredible leg and has been extremely accurate all season. There is no doubting that coaches have taken notice of what Lindsay can do. CLASS 4A Alex Neal - Cedar Rapids Xavier - QB/DB - 6-1 - 190 It was a game for the ages in the Class 4A finals, as Cedar Rapids Xavier turned back Lewis Central. And Alex Neal was at the center of it all for Xavier. Neal threw for 158 yards and a TD while adding 72 yards on 25 carries and two more scores with his legs. It was a big-time performance by a big-time player. Neal ran the offense to perfection, taking what the Lewis Central defense gave him and moving the Saints constantly down the field.