Class 3A Semifinal: Mount Vernon vs. Humboldt

The other half of Class 3A saw a huge matchup between two well-matched teams; Mount Vernon and Humboldt. Mount Vernon had won the previous matchup against the two 14-6 in 2022. However, Humboldt came in with a much more talented roster that was able to combat the Mustangs' highly potent defense. Though Mount Vernon emerged with a 11-0 lead after the first quarter, Humboldt responded with two touchdowns in the second quarter, along with 2 picks to overtake Mount Vernon. The game continued to be a back and forth battle, though Humboldt led 28-18 during the 4th quarter. Mount Vernon engineered a quick drive to score a touchdown and cut the game to 28-25. The Mustangs forced a punt and got the ball back with 1:57 left. However, their hopes of engineering a game-winning drive were immediately dashed when Wildcats LB Isaiah Busick forced a strip-sack on QB Kellen Haverback, which was recovered by DL Syler Brown, giving Humboldt their 4th forced turnover of the night. Humboldt ran the clock out and solidified a win to move on to the state championship game, where they will take on Wahlert Catholic this week.   Here are 8 players from the game that stood out in this tightly contested battle!    Coen Matson did a great job controlling the offense through the air, surging after a quiet first quarter as he pieced apart one of the best defensive units in Iowa with ease. Matson finished 16 of 27 for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns on the air. Matson adjusted through the night, countering the Mustangs' blitzing schemes with quick concise passes, showing sharp accuracy even when being hit as he threw. His most impressive play of the night came on a 2nd and 16 situation in the 4th, where Matson was pressured by 4 defenders. Matson was able to spin away from the group and scramble out for a 14 yard run. Matson has been an effective leader for the Wildcats' offense, and he is very much on pace to cap off a strong senior campaign with a state title added to his resume.     Kellen Haverback did have issues with turnovers going against a tough Wildcat defense, but he played very well, keeping his team in play throughout the entire game. Haverback finished 25 of 33 for 232 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 picks, while adding 26 rushing yards on 9 carries. Haverback worked best hitting on quick passes over the middle. He showed poise in the pocket, but he also showed that he can extend the play, scrambling, and he hit on some brilliant passes in 1-on-1 matchups. Haverback certainly had more hits than misses as his passing mechanics developed across the season. If he can clean up on some of his mistakes in making errant throws, Haverback could be on pace to being one of the best QBs to watch in Iowa in 2025.     A two-way standout for Humboldt, [player_tooltip player_id='1280029' first='Keegan' last='Groat'] shined as the leading target in the passing game for Humboldt, while effectively slowing down the passing game for Mount Vernon on Saturday. He finished with 7 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 6 tackles and a TFL on defense. Groat played extremely well in the slot-defender role, stopping outside-runs and screens from generating yards after the catch, not being phased by the receivers' cuts, and getting leverage on his blockers to get to the outside contain. Offensively, Groat proved well playing as an outside receiver, and as a TE blocking for the run-game, but was most effective in the red-zone, scoring both of his touchdowns on quick in-routes. Groat has proven extremely effective on both sides of the ball, and should continue to do so in the state championship this week.     Mount Vernon forced consistent pressure on Humboldt during the game, and senior standout Kael Riniker proved most effective at getting to the QB and disrupting the backfield. Riniker finished with 3 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks in the loss. Riniker constantly won his blocking matchups; showing a quick first step to gain leverage on his blockers. Riniker also did a great job plugging the interior gaps, limiting Humboldt's run offense to just a dismal 2.5 yards per carry. Riniker finishes his senior campaign with a whopping 28 TFLs and 15 sacks, proving to be the most effective piece of an incredibly dominant defense this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1841812' first='Michael' last='Ryan'] plays as the team's slot receiver and in the secondary, but on Saturday, Ryan thrived as the go-to target for Kellen Haverback in the passing game. Ryan finished with 8 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Ryan worked most of his routes over the middle, finding great separation on all three levels, while also making some impressive catches through tight traffic. Ryan finished with 524 yards and 7 touchdowns on 30 catches this season, and returning in 2025 alongside with Haverback and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1841752' first='Jase' last='Jaspers'], this could very much be one of the best passing tandems in Iowa heading into next season.     Isaiah Busick has had a quiet senior campaign for the Wildcats, but he stepped up in a massive way on Saturday night for the defense. Busick finished with 6 tackles (4 solo), and recorded the strip-sack on Mount Vernon's final drive to seal the win for Humboldt. The sack came as Kellen Haverback rolled to his left when the pocket collapsed. Busick got off his block and waited to make the hit as Haverback never saw him coming. The hit knocked the ball out forward in which it was recovered to seal the game. Busick had 8 tackles all season heading into this game, and nearly matched that total against Mount Vernon. Hopefully, Busick will continue to see plenty of action in the state championship game.     While the defense wasn't able to fully shut down Humboldt's passing game, Mount Vernon was still able to generate 6 sacks defensively. Future NDSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1278806' first='Ethan' last='Wood'] played a big part in the pass-rush game, finishing with 2.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Wood played a big part in stuffing Humboldt on their final drive to force a punt, recording 1.5 tackles and a key sack on the drive to give Mount Vernon an opportunity to win the game. Wood finishes his senior season with 17 TFLs and 12 sacks as he is primed to translate his success onto the next level.     While Mount Vernon was generating pressure on the QB, Humboldt was able to generate turnovers, and senior Landon Halverson contributed with a key turnover during the win. Halverson finished the game with a team-high 8.5 tackles (5 solo), and he recorded a fumble recovery during the 4th quarter as Mount Vernon drived the ball trailing 21-18. The recovery helped Humboldt score a touchdown to stretch the lead, and would be critical in allowing Humboldt to hold their lead to the end. Halverson makes up for his size with a combination of tenacity, intelligence, and a desire to make every play to help his team win. With the state championship at stake, Halverson will look to leave it all on the field once again this week.

The other half of Class 3A saw a huge matchup between two well-matched teams; Mount Vernon and Humboldt. Mount Vernon had won the previous matchup against the two 14-6 in 2022. However, Humboldt came in with a much more talented roster that was able to combat the Mustangs' highly potent defense. Though Mount Vernon emerged with a 11-0 lead after the first quarter, Humboldt responded with two touchdowns in the second quarter, along with 2 picks to overtake Mount Vernon. The game continued to be a back and forth battle, though Humboldt led 28-18 during the 4th quarter. Mount Vernon engineered a quick drive to score a touchdown and cut the game to 28-25. The Mustangs forced a punt and got the ball back with 1:57 left. However, their hopes of engineering a game-winning drive were immediately dashed when Wildcats LB Isaiah Busick forced a strip-sack on QB Kellen Haverback, which was recovered by DL Syler Brown, giving Humboldt their 4th forced turnover of the night. Humboldt ran the clock out and solidified a win to move on to the state championship game, where they will take on Wahlert Catholic this week.