The Humboldt football team made dreams come true this season.

Reaching the state championship game is something kids in the backyard emulate.

Senior Coen Matson and his teammates lived out those childhood thoughts, reaching the Class 3A state championship game.

“This season was incredible. Coming into this year, the only thing that we had on our mind was making the Dome,” Matson said. “That was what fueled everything that we did in the offseason.

“To be able to do it with all of my friends was so special. It’s something that I had dreamed of since I was a little kid and I’m so thankful for everything that we accomplished this season. I’m incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity.”

With their efforts on the field highlighted — now come the rewards.

Matson, who threw for 2,616 yards and 28 touchdowns, was named the Class 3A Iowa Football Coaches Association Player of the Year and 3A captain.

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized by the coaches around the state as the best player in 3A,” Matson said. “I absolutely could not have done this without my teammates and coaches. My coaches continuously put me in the position to be successful.

“From my o-line giving me enough time to throw, to my wide receivers making the big time plays, to the scout team giving me a fantastic look all week, I am extremely thankful to have every last one of them.”

Matson was joined by seven other teammates on the IFCA All-State teams.

“Being named Player of Year is a testament to his hard work and leadership,” Elman said. “I’m proud of him and the way he led our team.”

Senior Keegan Groat joined Matson on the first team as a receiver. Junior Cael Donahe was a first team linebacker.

Juniors Chase Flaherty and Jack Guy were picked as a wide receiver and an offensive lineman to the second team.

Sophomore Broedy Hendricks (DL), senior Landon Halverson and senior Mason Van Pelt (defensive utility) were second team defense.

“It’s awesome to have eight guys honored on the All-State list,” Matson said. “It truly shows how special this year was for us as a whole. Every single one of those guys worked incredibly hard all offseason and it’s awesome to see everyone getting the recognition they deserve.

“It’s also a testament to how hard our scout team pushed us all year to give us good looks to be our best come gameday.”

Matson leaves a lasting mark on the Wildcat program, being part of three of the last four teams to reach the UNI-Dome.

Through his career, he has thrown for 3,629 yards and 33 touchdowns, while throwing only 11 interceptions. He has rushed for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Groat, who was a second team defensive pick a year ago, was a huge part of the Wildcat offense, catching 35 balls for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“It says a lot for Keegan to be on the offense this year and defense a year ago,” Elman said. “He had 800 yards and was a great leader for us.”

As a linebacker, Donahe was second on the team with 76.5 tackles, nine-and-a-half for loss. He had four interceptions.

“Cael was a heartbeat for our defense,” Elman said. “He was a great leader and played with energy.”

Flaherty caught 56 balls for 808 yards and nine touchdowns. Guy, who was on the second team offensive line, was also big on defense with 38 tackles and a sack.

“Chase caught the ball well and just needed a couple of touches,” Elman said. “Jack was a staple and a road grater on defense.”

Hendricks, who has two more years with the Wildcats had 66 tackles and five sacks and a fumble recovery.

Halverson was a huge threat for the Humboldt defense, leading the way with 82 tackles and two sacks and a fumble recovery.

“To get recognized as a sophomore says a lot for Broedy and what people see in him,” Elman said. “Landon was hurt last year and had surgery, but came to practice and worked every day.”

Van Pelt was all over the field, recording 63 tackles, recovering three fumbles and picking off three passes.

“Mason is a Humboldt guy,” Elman said. “He bleeds Blue and Gold and loves Humboldt football.”

Elman was proud with the way his team played and acted during the playoff run.

“I’m so impressed with our community,” Elman said. “They showed up for our school and are there to support our sports and activities. We had so many people in the Dome.

“I kind of got choked up when I saw the picture in the Dome. Humboldt shows up for our people and I’m so thankful for that support and proud to play for this community.”

Manson Northwest Webster

The Cougars run into the second round of the playoffs, was one of the best runs in school history, and garnered two honors for the Cougars.

Senior Kamden Birkey and Matt Condon were on the Class 1A second team as a running back and defensive back.

“They were just great leaders on the field and big communicators on the defensive side,” said Manson Northwest Webster head coach Zach Noffsinger. “They were leaders in practice and they would push each other.”

Birkey and Condon were part of a senior trio with Logan Moline that led the Cougars to an 8-1 season and a district championship.

“Kamden was in a perfect spot to get those short yardage gains,” Noffsinger said. “An undervalued part of his game was that he was a great lead blocker. And with Matt we could use him anywhere. We could go for a direct snap, or get him the ball.”

Birkey became the single season touchdown record holder with 13. He ran for 1,091 yards.

Condon caught 28 balls for 442 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for four scores, threw for one and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

“These guys are the work horses,” Noffsinger said. “They set the standard that we expect and you saw that.

“To see opposing coaches compliment them is great that they can see they are good kids and hard workers.”

Class 3A

Iowa State commit Alex Manske of Algona was a first team offensive utility pick. Future Cyclone teammate Jack Limbaugh was on the first team as a defensive lineman. The two seniors led the Bulldogs into the playoffs.

Senior Tate Slagle was a second team defensive back.

Before his season ended with an injury, Manske was throwing record breaking numbers for the Bulldogs.

He threw for 1,456 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for eight scores.

Limbaugh ran for two scores and caught one, while recording 42.5 tackles and six sacks.

On defense Slagle had 51 tackles. Offensively he had 12 touchdowns for 686 yards.

Class 2A

Greene County senior Kamden Kinne was a second team offensive lineman, while sophomore Trevon Keely was a second team returner.

Defensively Kinne had 47.5 tackles and four sacks.

Keely returned 10 kicks for an average of 27.4 per return. He had two touchdowns, including a long of 89.

Class 1A

Emmetsburg landed three players on the All-State team. Senior Carson Baak was a second team running back, while senior Keegan Hammerlink was also on the second team as an offensive lineman.

Senior Justin Wirtz was a second team linebacker.

Baak ran for 981 yards on 140 carries and five touchdowns. He also had a receiving score.

Hammerlink was named to the second team offense, but on defense he had 12 tackles.

Wirtz was the leading tackler with 42.5, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Eight-Man

After reaching the eight-man state semifinals, Bishop Garrigan had four players earn first team honors.

Senior Trayton Cink (RB) and junior Carter Schwab (OL) were on first team offense and junior Ethan Marso (LB) and senior Keaton Helleseth (defensive utility) were first team defense.

West Bend-Mallard’s Clint Fehr was a second team defensive lineman.

Cink ran for 1,244 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had a touchdown catch.

Schwab had 27 tackles and four sacks to go along with four fumble recoveries.

Marso had 59.5 tackles and three sacks and an interception for a touchdown.

Helleseth had 30 tackles and 14 sacks.

In his senior season, Fehr was big for the Wolverines, earning 49.5 tackles and 10 sacks and one fumble recovery.