—Photo by Midwest Portraits Humboldt football team members are, front row (left to right): Adalynn Lawman, Ryder Wickett, Jace Baker, Levi Newton, Caden Matson, Ben Kuehnast, Jacob Heier, Jackson Fischer, Hayden Holm, Colby Lane and Lydia Witzke. Second row: Cambry Nelson, Kaylan Reames, Tanner McKimmey, Christian, Alcala, Danial Illg, Nolan Lammers, Carson Berte, Casey Westling, Sam Numedahl, Tracen Troyer, Jacob Pedersen, Jetzabel Pacheco-Reyes and Erin Klein. Third row: Dylan Saathoff, Cole Goodenow, Derrik Clark, Corey Matson, Derrick Elman, Greg Wickett, Spencer Ross, Jacob Short, Andy Newell and Allie Lynch. Fourth row: Kayli Ohm, Keagan Rasmussen, Gaige Allen, Brock Collins, Kaleb McCullough, Jayse Allen, Levi Bonnstetter, Tayeton Lohaus, Peyton Weers, Kyle Caquelin, Josh Beldin, Noelle Hamand and Ashley Carvjal. Fifth row: Victoria Vaughn, Ethan Kunert, Mason Brown, Cole Weisbrich, Cael Newell, Landon Thumma, Brody Paterson, Carrson Bothne, Joshua Thurm, Hunter Dery, Will Orness, Theesfeld and Crystal Schnerre. Sixth row: Jayden Drewis, Jack Ophiem, Trever Beach, Carson Arndt, Lance Coon, Christian Lee, Micheal Illg, Corey Dettmann, Grant Dieleman, Owen Hubbell, Evan Hundertmark and Jaynee Depue. Not pictured: Joe Weydert, Ty Gargano, Carson Sleiter, Cheerleaders Angela Axness and Haylee Myer, and Coach Tyler Nielsen.

As Derrick Elman stood on Mason Maach Field last Friday night, he couldn’t help but smile.

Elman and the Humboldt football team will head to Cedar Falls to face Harlan in a Class 3A semifinal on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the UNI-Dome.

The Wildcats (11-0 overall) doubled-up Independence in the quarterfinals to secure their spot in the final four. They have now scored 40-plus points in each postseason game, and have surpassed that number six times in all this year.

“It just feels incredible,” Elman said. “These kids have worked so hard and put in so much time to get to this point. I’m proud of them and our coaching staff.”

Humboldt had its first winning season since 2014 in 2020, going 5-4 and reaching the second round of the 3A playoffs. With several of those key pieces back, led by senior quarterback Caden Matson, the Wildcats have been nearly unstoppable this fall.

Matson ranks among the state leaders in several passing categories. He has completed over 72 percent of his attempts for 2,441 yards with 32 touchdowns, adding 1,543 yards and 15 scores on the ground.

Lance Coon, a sophomore, has 460 yards rushing and five scores with another receiving TD, while Will Orness, Jacob Heier and Corey Dettmann provide big-time deep threats.

Orness, a junior, has 70 receptions for 1,151 yards and 15 TDs, Heier, a senior, has 39 for 733 and 11 scores, while Dettmann, a sophomore, has 23 for 338 with four TDs.

“This means everything to us,” Matson said. “The feeling is incredible and it was so special to celebrate it with the fans and our families (at home last week).”

While the offense has been getting most of the headlines, the Humboldt defense has stepped up throughout the year. Only one team has scored over 30 points against them, and they held Independence all-state running back Marcus Beatty to 84 yards.

“We knew we were going up against a really tough team and a great player in Independence and Beatty,” Matson said. “Even when we got up early, we knew we had to keep pushing.”

Tayeton Lohaus, a junior, has a team-high five sacks with Christian Alacala adding 2.5. Tanner McKimmey has 81.5 tackles including 49 solo stops.

The defense has also picked off 18 passes with Orness recording four and both Nolan Lammers and Dettmann three. They have also recovered six fumbles, scoring three total defensive touchdowns.

Harlan presents the toughest challenge to date for the Wildcats. The Cyclones are 11-0 and led by junior quarterback Teagon Kasperbauer along with a deep group at wide receiver.

Kasperbauer has thrown for 2,696 yards with 40 touchdowns, while leading receiver Connor Frame has 20 TDs on 42 receptions for 918 yards.

Harlan has not allowed a point since October 8, pitching four consecutive shutouts. That includes a 45-0 win over Ballard in the opening round and a 38-0 victory vs. Nevada in the quarterfinals last week.

On the year, the Cyclones are allowing just 10 points per game.