WAUKON — Defending state champion Waukon survived a spirited effort by Algona here Friday night, advancing to the Class 2A semifinals with a 24-21 victory.

Leading by three late, Waukon’s Dawson Baures converted a fourth-down run, allowing the third-ranked Indians to seal the victory.

Baures also had the game-winning points on a 7-yard touchdown run that finished off a 10-play, 73-yard drive late in the third.

No. 6 Algona took the lead when at 21-18 when Matt Grein found the end zone from four yards out, capping a 69-yard drive.

Wyatt Wegener had a 68-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score in the first. He finished with over 100 yards rushing in the game.

This was the final game for Bulldog seniors Grein, Samuel Solbach, Spencer Holmes, Skyler Groen, Carson Devine, Drew VanGorkom, Jacob Durant, Zaden Moe, Hunter Long, Dainen VanGorkom, Cole Johnson and Brett Bleuer.

Waukon will take on Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley in one semifinal in Cedar Falls next week, with Monroe-PCM and West Liberty colliding in the other.