North DeSoto drops thriller to Iowa in DII non-select title game

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The Prep Classic's only matchup of unbeaten teams was the first game Friday afternoon and it did not disappoint. The Iowa Yellow Jackets (14-0) beat the North DeSoto Griffins (13-1), 50-43, for the Division II non-select championship.

With the teams combining for more than 1,000 yards of offense, and nearly 100 points, both needed to keep their foot on the gas. Aside from a brief two-score lead late for Iowa in the first half, they both stayed within a touchdown for all 48 minutes.

In the end, the Yellow Jackets did enough to seal the school's first state championship in program history.

Big plays

A very short stretch of time turned Friday's game into an all-time classic. With 43 seconds left in the third quarter, NDHS scored to take a 36-34 lead. That fired up IHS, which responded with another go-ahead touchdown 25 seconds later. The third quarter drew to a close — but, on the first play of the fourth, North DeSoto found the end zone again, giving the teams three touchdowns in 51 seconds of game time.

Big players

Quarterback Luke Delafield starred both in the air and on the ground for the Griffins, racking up 233 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, 79 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He also averaged 36 yards per punt on special teams.

Running back Braelyn Latin also warrants a mention, as despite limited carries, he still found the end zone twice.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: North DeSoto drops thriller to Iowa in DII non-select title game

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