Harlan-Mount Vernon Class 3A Title Game Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the state's more recognizable football programs locked up Friday afternoon in the Class 3A State Championship Game at the UNI-Dome. Harlan captured his second title in a row and Iowa-best 14th championship overall with a 30-23, come-from-behind victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IHSAA/status/1593724462721126405?s=20u0026t=qeDtNUP2-MgCQsM_zaHzwg","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IHSAA/status/1593724462721126405?s=20&amp;t=qeDtNUP2-MgCQsM_zaHzwg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some standouts from the 3A title game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='104715' first='Aidan' last='Hall'], '23, ATH, Harlan -</strong> The University of Iowa recruit showed off his athleticism in his final high school contest. He rushed for 26 yards and a touchdown, and caught three passes for 12 yards. His 20-yard scoring run in the first quarter showcased his speed. He added 4.0 tackles (3 solo, .5 for loss) and broke up a pass. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320601' first='Henry' last='Ryan'], '23, RB-QB/DB, Mount Vernon - </strong>Ryan switched from his normal running back position to quarterback with starting signal caller Joey Rhomberg, the leading passer in 3A, out with injury. Ryan delivered an inspired effort on this day. He threw for 64 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 29 yards and a score. He added 7.5 tackles (5 solo, 1.5 for loss) and broke up a pass. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247610' first='Jacob' last='Birch'], '23, TE, Harlan - </strong>The senior followed up a 10-catch, 145-yard performance in last year's state title game with an 11-reception, 138-yard outing with a touchdown on Friday. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jensen Meeker, '23, WR/DB, Mount Vernon - </strong>Meeker hauled in two passes for 61 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown in first quarter. He also intercepted a pass and was credited with a pass breakup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156633' first='Jackson' last='Jaspers'], '24, RB/LB, Mount Vernon - </strong>Jaspers delivered a huge play when he picked off a pass and returned it 26 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. He also forced a fumble and led the Mustangs with 10.5 tackles. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='104082' first='Teagon' last='Kasperbauer'], '23, QB, Harlan - </strong>The senior signal caller completed 22 of 39 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns, none bigger than the 48-yard scoring strike to [player_tooltip player_id='247962' first='Cade' last='Sears'] for the winning points with 1:24 left in the game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247962' first='Cade' last='Sears'], '24, WR, Harlan - </strong>Sears snagged the game-winning scoring reception, hauling in a 48-yarder with 1:24 remaining in regulation. He finished with five catches for 75 yards and two TDs. He registered the final two touchdowns of the game. He broke up two passes on defense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248026' first='Matthew' last='Sorfonden'], '24, LB, Harlan - </strong>The active Sorfonden paced the Cyclones with 9.5 tackles (5 solo, 1.0 for loss). He forced a fumble, logged a quarterback hurry and blocked a kick. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Cardell Berry, '23, OG/DL, Mount Vernon - </strong>Berry piled up 6.5 tackles, 3 of which were solo and 1.5 for loss. He added a sack and two quarterback hurries, and recovered a fumble. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IHSAA/status/1593700125695680515?s=20u0026t=qeDtNUP2-MgCQsM_zaHzwg","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IHSAA/status/1593700125695680515?s=20&amp;t=qeDtNUP2-MgCQsM_zaHzwg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->