Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Tigers football was in the state semifinals for the first time since 2011 on Saturday, and their reward was a game against the top overall seed and perennial power Harlan. The Tigers were able to find some success offensively, but couldn’t find enough stops throughout the days as they fell by the score of 49-35. The Tigers conclude their year at 10-2 while Harlan moves to 11-1 and will be playing in the 3A state championship next Friday.
The Tigers came out very quickly in the game, going 9 plays before Aiden Flora scores to make it 6-0 just more than two minutes into the game. Harlan would counter with a pair of Aiden Hall touchdowns, as they would take a 14-6 lead early in the second quarter. Flora was able to put up another major rush, this time for 36 yards, rushing it home and then tying the game after a two point conversion. Harlan would re-find the end zone with Hall catching a touchdown to retake the lead, before Flora on the next drive take a QB keeper 77 yards to even the game at 21. Hall got a 5 yard rushing touchdown to give Harlan a 28-21 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Harlan took control in the third quarter, with the Cyclones taking their opening drive for a touchdown as Teagon Kasperbauer sneaks in from 1 yard to make it 35-21. ADM drove their first drive, but a turnover in Harlan territory gave the Cyclones a big stop, one they would convert two plays later with Hall grabbing his fourth rushing touchdown to make it 42-21. After another stop, Harlan scores early in the fourth quarter before ADM would get a pair of passing touchdowns from Flora to Brevin Doll at the end of the game to get to the final score.
Flora was able to produce a major day for the Tigers, as he finishes with 238 rushing rushing yards and 149 passing yards as well, along with five touchdowns overall. Brevin Doll finishes with 6 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns as well. The Tigers defense was able to be lead in tackles by Christian Madison with 8.5 tackles along with Grant Jansen putting up 7.5 tackles as well.
Hall ended up with 238 rushing yards and 78 receiving yards as well, with five total touchdowns. Mathhew Sorfonden lead the Cyclones defensively with 9 tackles including a tackle for loss and a sack as well.
ADM finishes with two turnovers to Harlans zero. The 35 points and the 449 total yards for the most points and yards that Harlan has given up this year. Harlan was able to score on 7 of their ten drives, with two of those drives being the end of the first half and the end of the game as well. They did not punt all game.
For ADM, they will be losing 17 seniors from their roster including 11 starters overall. That said, they bring back some major straws that stirred the drink of this excellent season for the Tigers, as they will look to build upon the success that they were able to find in the 2022 season.