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Playoff football returns to Iowa this Friday as opening-round games kick off in four classifications, with the Iowa High School Athletic Association announcing pairings Saturday. For communities across the state, the matchups mark the start of postseason travel, rivalry showdowns and the long march toward the UNI-Dome, which will host semifinals and state title games.
The IHSAA released the brackets for Class 2A, Class 1A, Class A and eight-player on Saturday; Classes 5A, 4A and 3A finish their regular seasons this week and will open postseason play next week. Below are the first-round matchups scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23. Winners advance; the next round will be posted after results are finalized.
First round matchups — Friday, Oct. 23
Class 2A
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- Southeast Valley at Central Lyon / George‑Little Rock
- Cherokee at Spirit Lake
- Bellevue at Waukon
- New Hampton at Dike‑New Hartford
- Vinton‑Shellsburg at Alburnett
- Chariton at Mid‑Prairie
- West Liberty at PCM
- Albia at Van Meter
- OABCIG at Western Christian
- Unity Christian at Kuemper Catholic
- Hampton‑Dumont/CAL at Crestwood
- Grand View Christian at Roland‑Story
- Osage at West Branch
- Anamosa at Wilton
- West Burlington / Notre Dame at Centerville
- Pella Christian at Clarinda
Class 1A
- Tri‑Center at West Lyon
- Hinton at Emmetsburg
- MFL MarMac at Clarion‑Goldfield / Dows
- Eagle Grove at Aplington‑Parkersburg
- Cardinal at Northeast
- Columbus Catholic at Iowa City Regina
- Manson Northwest Webster at West Marshall
- West Central Valley at Treynor
- South Hardin at Ridge View
- Lawton‑Bronson at South Central Calhoun
- Cascade at Grundy Center
- Sigourney Keota at Hudson
- Sumner‑Fredericksburg at Dyersville Beckman Catholic
- Pleasantville at Eddyville‑Blakesburg‑Fremont
- Shenandoah at Interstate 35
- East Sac County at Underwood
Small schools often produce intense, physical playoff games; expect strong community support and crowded stands for many of these matchups.
Class A
- Logan‑Magnolia at West Sioux
- North Butler at West Fork
- Belmond‑Klemme at Saint Ansgar
- Columbus Community at East Buchanan
- Wapsie Valley at Pekin
- Southwest Valley at Madrid
- Earlham at Riverside
- Sibley‑Ocheyedan at Woodbury Central
- West Monona at MMCRU
- Starmont at Mason City Newman Catholic
- West Hancock at Nashua‑Plainfield
- Van Buren County at North Linn
- Maquoketa Valley at Danville
- Mount Ayr at Lynnville‑Sully
- Martensdale‑St. Marys at ACGC
- Le Mars Gehlen Catholic at Council Bluffs St. Albert
Eight‑Player
- Wayne at Iowa Valley
- East Union at Audubon
- CAM at Kingsley‑Pierson
- GTRA at Bishop Garrigan
- Moravia at Don Bosco
- WACO at Edgewood‑Colesburg
- Springville at Gladbrook‑Reinbeck
- North Tama at Montezuma
- Fremont‑Mills at Bedford
- Murray at Woodbine
- Janesville at North Union
- Riceville at Kee
- Boyer Valley at Remsen St. Mary’s
- Clarksville at Turkey Valley
- Lenox at Southeast Warren
- English Valleys at Coon Rapids‑Bayard
Weather, injuries and travel logistics can shape playoff weekends. Many of these programs rely on key senior leadership and run‑oriented offenses — factors that tend to amplify the unpredictability of early postseason rounds.
What to watch this week
- Home‑field advantage: Several tight rivalries will be decided on familiar turf; crowd noise can be decisive in short‑field situations.
- Road to Cedar Falls: Teams that advance will have their sights on the UNI‑Dome semifinals and title games; depth and special teams become more important as the rounds progress.
- Timing: Next‑round pairings will be released after Friday’s results — follow your local athletic department or the IHSAA release for updates.
Expect local media and school outlets to provide scores and game summaries throughout the evening. For fans planning to attend, double‑check kickoff times and travel arrangements: many games start in the evening and some venues have limited parking and seating.
Results from Friday’s slate will determine the second‑round brackets; the IHSAA will post the updated matchups once all games are complete.
