Cedar Falls Iowa — West Sioux, Hawarden topped Dike-New Hartford 52-38 in a wild Class 1A championship game on Friday. The Falcons put up the final 21 points in the highest scoring 1A title contest in IHSAA history.
The Falcons won the Class A crown in 2017 and moved up Class 1A this season to win their second title in as many years. They trailed early against the Wolverines as both teams put their passing games on display. West Sioux quarterback Hunter Dekkers led the offense with 391 passing yards and 120 rushing yards in the 52-38 thriller. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Dekkers had a hand in six scores including five passing and one rushing.
Dike-New Hartford got the big play early as quarterback Drew Sonnenberg hit Cade Fuller for a 70-yard touchdown pass on their first offensive snap. Sonnenberg’s deep ball was a weapon. His 11 completions went for 282 yards and four touchdowns, including five passes for 140 yards and three scores to junior Parker Kiewiet.
Dike-New Hartford carried a 23-10 lead late into the second quarter before giving up a short touchdown pass from Dekkers to Kade Lynott that got West Sioux within six points at halftime. Lynott finished with a 1A title game record 10 receptions for 203 yards. West Sioux would score twice more in the third quarter including a 45-yard toss from Dekkers to Drake Millikan.
The Falcons finished with 597 yards of total offense. Dike New Hartford managed 337 with with four of their five touchdowns coming on plays of 30 yards or longer. Dike New Hartford battled back to a 31-31 tie and even went ahead 38-31 in the fourth quarter before West Sioux stormed to the win .
Lynott tied the game on a 55-yard pass from Dekkers with 6:50 remaining, then helped the Falcons with the go-ahead score from 48 yards out with 2:03 left. A turnover and quick Dekkers scramble and score gave West Sioux a two score advantage as they got the win 52-38. Both teams finish the year at 12-1.
