The Sigourney-Keota Cobra football team saw the 2022 season come to a close Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the Class 1A playoffs, falling to the No. 2 ranked, defending 1A state champs from Van Meter on the road 45-0. The Bulldogs raced out to a 21-0 lead after the first frame, including a Carter Durflinger 53-yard punt return for touchdown after forcing a Cobra three and out to start the contest, a four yard touchdown run for Ben Gordon, the first of his four on the night, following another SK punt, and a fourth and three touchdown connection in the red zone on the final play of the first quarter from Ben Gilliland to Aydn Netten.

The Bulldogs made the score 28-0 on a nine yard scoring run for Gordon with 10 minutes left in the first half before SK could gain a first down against the stout Bulldog defense. Gordon found the end zone from four yards out to push the advantage to 35-0 and enact the running clock in the final minute before intermission. After half, Van Meter struck on the first play from scrimmage, a 70-yard Gordon touchdown scamper. He finished with 168 yards on 18 carries, and a 24-yard Katie Lindsay field goal finished the scoring.Van Meter won the total yards battle 372 to 91 including 323 to 84 on the ground and 18 first downs to four for SK. The Cobras were led by Cole Clarahan’s 23 carries for 58 yards rushing. Jack Clarhan had a team high 10 tackles.

Sigourney-Keota closes the year 8-3 overall, seeing their eight game winning streak come to an end. They were unbeaten champions of Class 1A District 6 and advanced to the state quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. They say goodbye to nine seniors including DJ Hammes, Karson Weber, Aidan Anderson, Jack Clarahan, Cole Clarahan, Clay Morse, Matt Brainard, Clayton Visser and Carter McCoid.