Iowa State Football Playoffs

IHSAA STATE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

The 2025 IHSAA State Football Playoffs are presented by title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The Iowa high school state football semifinals and finals are played at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

The UNI-Dome has been the host of the finals since 1976 and the semifinals since 1998.


Horizontal image of young men playing football

Spectator Information

TICKETING INFORMATION
  • Tickets to the 2025 Football Semifinals and Finals are being managed by UNI and are available online and at the UNI-Dome.
  • Tickets are $13.50 each for online or walk-up purchase.
  • All seating is general admission.
  • Semifinal tickets are good for their entire day, as the facility will not be cleared between games. 
  • Ticket cost is flat $13.50 each online or in-person, combining IHSAA ticket with parking and processing fees.
  • Promo codes as used with participating schools in previous seasons are no longer required.
  • The University of Northern Iowa and the IHSAA have a no re-entry policy. Spectators needing to leave the facility for any reason will need to purchase a ticket to gain entry back in.
  • Doors open one hour prior to game time. 
  • Ticket prices are for adults and K-12. Children preschool age and younger are free. 
  • For more questions, contact the UNI Ticket Office: 319-273-4849. 
PARKING INFORMATION
  • Public parking is available for fans in all marked lots located around the UNI-Dome.
  • There is no additional charge for parking upon arrival. UNI has added a parking fee on to each ticket price.
  • If parking on campus and not in specified UNI-Dome lots, please monitor and obey University of Northern Iowa signs and policies. Violators may be ticketed or towed.
CASHLESS VENUE
  • The UNI Athletic Department has announced that it will begin implementing a cashless game day policy for all home athletics contests, as well as other sporting and non-athletic events held inside the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center beginning Aug. 1, 2025. 
  • All purchases at UNI-Dome and McLeod Center food and beverage locations will be cashless, as will retail vendors in the venues, including the UNI Bookstore. Events that require paid parking will also be cashless. 
  • The UNI Ticket Office will also be switching to cashless payment for purchases.Fans can learn more about UNI’s existing game day policies HERE.
CLEAR BAG INFORMATION
  • Clear bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed a 12 x 6 x 12 inch size will be permitted, as well as one-gallon, resealable, clear plastic storage bags.
  • Small bags that are not clear but do not exceed a size 4.5 x 6.5 inches will also be allowed.
  • UNI branded clear bags can be purchased at the UNI Bookstore.
  • Prohibited bags include purses, backpacks, printed pattern plastic bags, tinted plastic bags, duffle bags, fanny packs, reusable grocery totes, mesh or straw bags, large totes and cases (for camera, binoculars, etc.).
  • An exception may be made for some prohibited items for medical necessity after proper inspection at the gate.
  • Additional information for fans about game day policies and procedures can be found online HERE.
PROHIBITED ITEMS

Items prohibited from being brought inside the venues include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol
  • Animals (service animals permitted)
  • Backpacks
  • Bags larger than 13”x15”x6”
  • Balloons
  • Beach Balls
  • Coolers/Ice Chests
  • Explosives
  • Fireworks
  • Food/Beverage
  • Noise Makers
  • Non-Clear Bags that exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″
  • Professional Cameras (lenses 6” or longer)
  • Signs exceeding 8.5”x11”
  • Video Cameras and Related Recording Equipment
  • Weapons

Additional information for fans about game day policies and procedures can be found online HERE.

SPECTATOR SEATING
  • UNI has installed new seats in the UNI-Dome. Please help us keep the newly-renovated dome
  • Fans of the home teams will be seated on the east side of the stadium.
  • Visiting team fans will be seated on the west side.
  • Student sections and pep bands will be limited to sections A,B and C for home teams, and S, T, and U for visiting teams.
IHSAA EVENT POLICIES

CEDAR FALLS TOURISM

Thanks to our partners at Cedar Falls Tourism for their support in welcoming the IHSAA Football Championships at the UNI-Dome.

2025 UNI-Dome SCHEDULE

SEMIFINALS, Nov. 12-15

DateClassTime
Wednesday, November 128P10 a.m., Game 1
 8P1 p.m., Game 2
Thursday, November 13A10 a.m., Game 1
 A1 p.m., Game 2
 4A4 p.m., Game 3
 4A7 p.m., Game 4
Friday, November 141A10 a.m., Game 1
 1A1 p.m., Game 2
 5A4 p.m., Game 3
 5A7 p.m., Game 4
Saturday, November 152A10 a.m., Game 1
 2A1 p.m., Game 2
 3A4 p.m., Game 3
 3A7 p.m., Game 4

FINALS, NOV. 20-21

DateClassTime
Thursday, November 208P9:30 a.m.
 A1 p.m.
 1A4 p.m.
 4A7 p.m.
Friday, November 212A10 a.m.
 3A1 p.m.
 5A7 p.m.
IHSAA gear collage

2025 PLAYOFF RESULTS

QUARTERFINALS

QUARTERFINALS

FRIDAY, NOV. 7 – 7 p.m.

Class 5A

POD A

  • Dowling Catholic 35, Iowa City West 0

POD B

  • Waukee Northwest 48, Sioux City East 34

POD C

  • Valley 28, Johnston 21

POD D

  • Iowa City Liberty 31, Southeast Polk 28

Class 4A

POD A

  • Xavier 45, ADM 7

POD B

  • Newton 42, Gilbert 14

POD C

  • Sergeant Bluff-Luton 55, North Polk 15

POD D

  • Pella 7, Decorah 6

Class 3A

POD A

  • Nevada 24, Clear Lake 14

POD B

  • Solon 21, Winterset 6

POD C

  • Wahlert Catholic 27, West Delaware 6

POD D

  • Bishop Heelan 35, Sioux Center 14

Class 2A

POD A

  • Kuemper Catholic 43, Cherokee 26

POD B

  • Wilton 21, PCM 17

POD C

  • Van Meter 28, Mid-Prairie 21

POD D

  • Osage 12, Alburnett 7

Class 1A

POD A

  • West Lyon 57, Underwood 22 

POD B

  • Grundy Center 21, Beckman Catholic 0

POD C

  • Regina 49, Pleasantville 7

POD D

  • South Hardin 27, Treynor 14

Class A

POD A

  • MMCRU 42, Woodbury Central 6

POD B

  • Saint Ansgar 49, North Linn 21

POD C

  • West Sioux 24, ACGC 14

POD D

  • Wapsie Valley 22, Lynnville-Sully 16

Thursday, Nov. 6 – 7 p.m.

Eight-Player

POD A

  • Bishop Garrigan 51, Don Bosco 21

POD B

  • Woodbine 50, Fremont-Mills 12

POD C

  • Gladbrook-Reinbeck 54, Edgewood-Colesburg 18

POD D

  • Audubon 26, Iowa Valley 19

ROUND OF 16

round OF 16

All Classes

Release: 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25

Kickoff: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, unless noted

Tickets: On sale at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28

Class 5A

POD A

  • Dowling Catholic 44, Waterloo West 6
  • Iowa City West 38, Cedar Falls 31

POD B

  • Waukee Northwest 28, Indianola 7
  • Sioux City East 28, Dallas Center-Grimes 14

POD C

  • Johnston 34, Ankeny Centennial 26
  • Valley 26, Prairie 20

POD D

  • Iowa City Liberty 34, Waukee 20
  • Southeast Polk 21, Ankeny 14

Class 4A

POD A

  • Xavier 47, Waverly-Shell Rock 0
  • ADM 27, North Scott 24

POD B

  • Gilbert 27, Lewis Central 24
  • Newton 51, Fort Dodge 7

POD C

  • Sergeant Bluff-Luton 42, LeMars 7
  • North Polk 35, Glenwood 21

POD D

  • Pella 17, Davenport North 14
  • Decorah 25, Western Dubuque 24

Class 3A

POD A

  • Clear Lake 41, Mount Vernon 0
  • Nevada 21, Carroll 14

POD B

  • Solon 31, Benton Community 6
  • Winterset 28, Independence 6

POD C

  • West Delaware 35, Mount Pleasant 21
  • Wahlert Catholic 38, Central DeWitt 0

POD D

  • Bishop Heelan 28, Atlantic 6
  • Sioux Center 28, Des Moines Christian 10

Class 2A

POD A

  • Kuemper Catholic 26, OABCIG 15
  • Cherokee 40, Unity Christian 14

POD B

  • PCM 45, Pella Christian 31
  • Wilton 30, West Branch 7

POD C

  • Mid-Prairie 46, Mediapolis 0
  • Van Meter 24, Roland-Story 14

POD D

  • Osage 27, Hampton-Dumont-CAL 7
  • Alburnett 34, Waukon 16

Class 1A

POD A

  • West Lyon 63, Lawton-Bronson 7
  • Underwood 42, West Marshall 21

POD B

  • Grundy Center 42, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 7
  • Beckman Catholic 35, Sigourney/Keota 0

POD C

  • Regina 52, Cascade 13
  • Pleasantville 33, Hudson 20

POD D

  • South Hardin 20, Ridge View 0
  • Treynor 35, Hinton 12

Class A

POD A

  • MMCRU 37, Gehlen Catholic 0
  • Woodbury Central 21, Madrid 0

POD B

  • Saint Ansgar 53, West Fork 20
  • North Linn 21, Pekin 3

POD C

  • ACGC 21, Mount Ayr 7
  • West Sioux 31, Sibley-Ocheyedan 14

POD D

  • Wapsie Valley 24, Maquoketa Valley 14
  • Lynnville-Sully 51, BGM 26

Eight-Player

POD A

  • Bishop Garrigan 50, North Union 15
  • Don Bosco 69, Clarksville 32

POD B

  • Woodbine 68, Southeast Warren 0
  • Fremont-Mills 40, Bedford 28

POD C

  • Gladbrook-Reinbeck 56, Easton Valley 6
  • Edgewood-Colesburg 34, Turkey Valley 12

POD D

  • Iowa Valley 63, Janesville 0
  • Audubon 82, Montezuma 0

FIRST ROUND

First round

classes: 2A, 1A, A, 8P

7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24

Class 2A

4th at 1st

  • Cherokee 58, Spirit Lake 57 (OT)
  • Kuemper Catholic 35, Grand View Christian 0
  • Osage 22, BHRV 14
  • Roland-Story 28, Anamosa 14
  • West Branch 22, Denver 15
  • Mid-Prairie 34, North Fayette Valley 19
  • PCM 42, West Liberty 8
  • Pella Christian 27, Clarinda 24

3rd at 2nd

  • OABCIG 34, Western Christian 17
  • Unity Christian 28, Okoboji 13
  • Waukon 34, Bellevue 13
  • Hampton-Dumont-CAL 57, Woodward-Granger 36
  • Alburnett 13, Crestwood 6
  • Wilton 50, Dike-New Hartford 14
  • Mediapolis 28, Centerville 13
  • Van Meter 45, South Tama County 6

Class 1A

4th at 1st

  • West Lyon 48, East Sac County 6
  • Lawton-Bronson 14, Manson NW Webster 12
  • Grundy Center 57, EBF 0
  • Hudson 21, Central Springs 14
  • Beckman Catholic 63, Jesup 13
  • Regina 69, Northeast 0
  • West Marshall 38, Shenandoah 8
  • Treynor 49, Ogden 7

3rd at 2nd

  • Ridge View 42, Tri-Center 27
  • Hinton 34, Emmetsburg 28
  • South Hardin 35, Camanche 7
  • Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 48, Columbus Catholic 27
  • Cascade 35, Union 27
  • Sigourney/Keota 45, Interstate 35 0
  • Pleasantville 42, Durant 14
  • Underwood 54, South Central Calhoun 8

Class A

4th at 1st

  • MMCRU 49, Belmond-Klemme 7
  • Gehlen Catholic 34, West Hancock 18
  • Saint Ansgar 47, East Marshall 0
  • Wapsie Valley 50, Starmont 3
  • Lynnville-Sully 42, Wapello 0
  • Pekin 42, Earlham 7
  • ACGC 33, Logan-Magnolia 7
  • Woodbury Central 21, AHSTW 14

3rd at 2nd

  • West Sioux 45, IKM-Manning 27
  • Sibley-Ocheyedan 41, Newman Catholic 35 (OT)
  • West Fork 25, Nashua-Plainfield 23
  • North Linn 59, Columbus Community 14
  • Maquoketa Valley 43, Danville 0
  • Madrid 48, North Butler 8
  • BGM 35, Riverside 30
  • Mount Ayr 55, St. Albert 47

Eight-Player

WC at 1st

  • Woodbine 78, Exira-EHK 6
  • Iowa Valley 64, Moravia 0

3rd at 1st

  • North Union 56, GTRA 48
  • Bedford 54, Wayne 6
  • Audubon 58, Lenox 20
  • Southeast Warren 46, Boyer Valley 35
  • Bishop Garrigan 57, Kingsley-Pierson 12
  • Gladbrook-Reinbeck 56, Ar-We-Va 7
  • Edgewood-Colesburg 58, WACO 7
  • Don Bosco 54, Collins-Maxwell 10

3rd at 2nd

  • Turkey Valley 60, Springville 15
  • Janesville 44, Riceville 34

2nd at 2nd

  • Fremont-Mills 62, St. Edmond 7
  • Montezuma 46, East Union 28
  • Clarksville 78, Coon Rapids-Bayard 68
  • Easton Valley 80, Belle Plaine 52

2025 PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS

Oct. 24: Following Week 9 for Classes 5A, 4A, 3A

Oct. 17: Following Week 8 for Classes 2A, 1A, A, 8P

Qualifying: District standings and qualifiers for 2A, 1A, A, and 8P are released following Week 8 games, with district placement determining first round hosts. Qualifiers will be released on Friday, October 17. Those first round matchups will be released at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18. Qualifiers and RPI for 5A, 4A, and 3A will be released on Friday, October 24. Round of 16 matchups for all classes will be released at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.

Format: First round games in 2A, 1A, A, and 8P are set individually. Then, the round of 16 in all classes features four four-team pods, with the winners of those pods advancing to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls for the state semifinals and finals.

Tickets: Tickets for the first round ($8), second round ($8), and quarterfinal games ($8) will be sold through the IHSAA Tickets page and utilize digital ticketing via HomeTown Ticketing. Tickets for semifinals and finals will be sold through UNI Athletics.

For complete qualifying and assignment instructions, please view the Postseason Manual.

FINAL RPI & DISTRICT STANDINGS

Ratings Percentage Index (5A, 4A, 3A) + Standings

Top 16 teams (gray) on each RPI sheet are playoff qualifiers.

Asterisk indicates head-to-head RPI flip.

Graphic of a wreath

5A
Southeast Polk

4A
North Polk

3A
Wahlert Catholic, Dubuque

2A
West Lyon

1A
Grundy Center

A
Tri-Center

Eight-Player
St. Mary’s, Remsen