CEDAR FALLS — By vanquishing Iowa City Liberty, 27-10, in the Class 5A state championship game, Dowling Catholic is back on top of the Iowa high school football world again.

To win the program's first state title since 2019, the Maroons went wire-to-wire to take down the Lightning. Dowling Catholic running back Ian Middleton (two touchdowns) and the ground game starred in the win, racking up rushing yards and possession time to keep the explosive Iowa City Liberty offense sidelined. Even when the Lightning offense was on the field, a ferocious Maroons pass rush made life difficult.

A heavy dose of Middleton got things going early for Dowling. The senior had seven carries for 50 yards on the first drive alone, including a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 with 4:40 remaining in the f

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