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No. 4 Titans earn top seed

South Central Calhoun wrapped up a perfect season and another district championship on Friday night to earn its sixth straight playoff appearance.

The Titans (9-0 overall, 5-0 Class 1A, District) beat Pocahontas Area (4-5, 3-2) 42-2 to win their third district championship since 2014, and clinched the top-seed in the Class 1A field of 16.

“We feel extremely blessed to be in the position we’re in right now,” said South Central head coach Bryan Case. “To finish the regular season undefeated, district champions, and at state for the eighth time in the last nine years, is quite an accomplishment.

“I’m proud of our team and I’m proud of the fact that we were able to overcome a tremendous amount of adversity this year. Losing seven starters from Week 3 through Week 6 would be tough on any team, but our kids just found a way to get it done.”

South Central Calhoun joins area schools No. 3 Algona, No. 7 Southeast Valley, No. 8 Greene County, No. 3 Bishop Garrigan and Newell-Fonda to qualify for the playoffs from the Messenger-area.

The Titans will host West Lyon (7-2) in the first round.

Fort Dodge also advances to the playoffs with a 7-2 mark and will face Dowling (7-2) at Des Moines East.

On Friday night quarterback Cole Corey and receiver Jared Birks topped the 200-plateau. Corey was 13-for-22 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

Birks caught five balls for 219 and two scores. He caught an 85-yard score from Corey and a 70-yard strike from Chase McAlister.

Landon Schleisman had a four-yard and a two-yard touchdown run and a two-yard scoring strike from Corey. McAlister added a 13-yard touchdown run.

Both Corey and Schleisman had 59 yards rushing, while McAlister had 50.

Since 2014, the Titans are 43-11 overall and 28-4 in district play.

“Now we need to put it all behind us and move forward,” Case said. “From this point on, everyone is good and we can’t afford to take any plays off. You win — you move on. You lose — and your season comes to an abrupt halt.

“We’ve had a special year and we want to continue and with this team, anything is possible.”

Southeast Valley (7-2, 5-0) clinched the Class 2A, District 2 championship with a 42-41 victory over Algona, and earned a home game.

The Jaguars will meet OABCIG (7-2). District opponents Algona (8-1) and Spirit Lake (7-2) are also in the field.

Algona will travel to Crestwood (6-3) on Friday night and Spirit Lake travels to BH/RV (8-1).

Greene County (8-1) will head to Benton (8-1).

Bishop Garrigan (9-0) earned a home game and will host Wapsie Valley (7-2).

Newell-Fonda (8-1) travels to Southeast Warren (10-0).

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