PLEASANT HILL — The Fort Dodge Stags had a flair for the dramatic to earn the program’s best state finish.

The Stags (13-2 overall) settled for a runner-up trophy, but magic in the semifinals earlier on Friday night put them in position to make a run at the title.

Fort Dodge was down 14-12 late in the semifinals against Waverly-Shell Rock. Senior Isaac Firsching had a poach. That was followed by a big run from senior Bo Cowell, who then spun the ball to senior Ty Adams.

Adams caught the edge and earned the final points of the game and gave the Stags a 17-14 victory over W-SR.

“The game doesn’t end until a stoppage of play,” said Fort Dodge head coach Tom McClimon. “If it would have been knocked out of bounds, it would have been over, but he scored on the final play.”

The Stags reached the semifinals with a 28-21 win over Urbandale.

“Against Urbandale, it was a solid, methodical performance,” McClimon said. “We led the entire match and the boys played well.”

During the tournament, Adams and sophomore Jesse Egli recorded two tries each. Senior Drayton Miller, senior Zeke Pineda added Firsching had one each.

The second-seeded Stags lost to top-ranked and undefeated Cedar Falls, 28-0, in the championship match.

“Cedar Falls played awesome,” McClimon said. “I don’t think we played our best, but they’re a great team and they’ve been a buzzsaw all-year long.

“I’m so proud of our guys. They’ve improved and battled all year long to get to state.”