Audubon’s state title chase falls one win short

 CEDAR FALLS (Nov. 21) -- The top-ranked Audubon football team fell one win shy of claiming the 8-Player state championship on Thursday, losing to No. 3 Don Bosco 35-19 in the title game at the UNI-Dome.
 The Wheelers (12-2) had rattled off 11 straight wins since a 26-25 loss at Remsen St. Mary’s August 30, including a 39-28 victory over those same Hawks in the state semifinals November 14.
 Audubon, coached by former I-K-M four-sport athlete Sean Birks, trailed just 20-13 at the half vs. Don Bosco but scored only one touchdown in the second half as the Dons (13-0) claimed their fourth state title in the last seven years.
 Birks was a senior for IKM’s Class A state football championship team in 2006, catching four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in the Hawks’ 33-13 title game victory over Wapsie Valley.

2019 Iowa High School Football Playoffs • Championship Scores • UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
EIGHT-PLAYER
#3 Don Bosco, Gilbertville 35, #1 Audubon 19
Don Bosco (13-0) wins fourth state title - all in the last seven years.
CLASS A
#1 West Hancock 21, #5 Grundy Center 17
West Hancock (13-0) wins second state title (also 1996).
CLASS 3A
#2 Epworth, Western Dubuque 37, #1 Solon 17
Western Dubuque (13-0) wins second state title (also 2001).
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
CLASS 1A
#5 West Lyon 50, #1 Van Meter 14
West Lyon (12-1) wins fifth state title - first since 2013.
CLASS 2A
#4 OABCIG 37, #1 Waukon 12
OABCIG (13-0) wins first state title.
CLASS 4A
#3 Dowling Catholic 21, #1 WDM Valley 16
Dowling Catholic (12-1) wins seventh consecutive state title (10th overall).