Liberty-Southeast Polk 5A Semifinals Recap, Reaction

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/photo-gallery-liberty-southeast-polk-5a-semifinals/">PHOTO GALLERY</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.iahsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24-5ASF2.htm">BOX SCORE</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/FXav2Xqdpq0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/FXav2Xqdpq0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - </strong>It wasn't easy, but Southeast Polk is one win away from a four-peat. The Rams came from behind to defeat Iowa City Liberty, 38-35, Friday night in the Class 5A state semifinals here at the UNI-Dome. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southeast Polk began the season losing two of its first three games. Johnston blew the Rams out, 34-0, on Oct. 4. The adversity helped build a team capable of winning a difficult game on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With four losses, which were more than the other three teams in the semifinals combined, Southeast Polk embraced the underdog role this time around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We don't have those big names that we've had before," senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='254611' first='Holden' last='Hansen'] said. "We've seen those guys and their work ethic. We've just copied that over to this year, and it's starting to pay off at the right time." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams had to win at Pleasant Valley in Week 1 of the playoffs before hosting Iowa City West, which upset Bettendorf. They trailed 14-0 and 21-7 Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We played the hardest schedule in the state," senior defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='640854' first='Cooper' last='Martinson'] said. "We just knew how to respond." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty coaches complained to the referees throughout the game. The officials missed what looked like a late Lightning interception. It was an impactful call. It took nothing away from an incredible effort from both of these teams on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Iowa City school was looking to end Eastern Iowa's big-school championship drought. City High (2009) won the last one in that part of the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty posted the school's first 10-win season and reached the Dome for first time. It accomplished a lot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's sad, but I appreciate the season and how far we made it," senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='988861' first='Sutton' last='Koller'] said. "It still feels great." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lightning and Southeast Polk combined for more than 800 yards of offense. Several individuals produced in a big way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ram senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1279618' first='Kaden' last='Hills'] caught eight passes for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='1129677' first='Dallas' last='Miller'] hauled in eight receptions for 245 yards and a pair of scores. Miller also threw a touchdown pass, intercepted a pass and finished with 330 all-purpose yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='254611' first='Holden' last='Hansen'] threw for 255 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'] piled up 334 yards and three scores through the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/B56xf-niZXQ","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/B56xf-niZXQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/h1x-jBftxp0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/h1x-jBftxp0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->