WACO holds off Newell-Fonda to earn spot in Iowa 8-Player state championship football game

In a scene that would have made former University of Iowa football coach Hayden Fry proud,

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the WACO High School football team did the Hokey Pokey on Sheriff Field Wednesday afternoon at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

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The third-ranked Warriors had plenty of reason to celebrate after hanging on for a 29-21 victory over fourth-ranked Newell-Fonda in the first 8-player semifinal game of the day.

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WACO (13-0) will play in the 8-Player state championship game at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 17 at the UNI-Dome.

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The Warriors, making their first appearance in a state championship game, will play top-ranked Remsen-St. Mary's (12-0).

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Newell-Fonda ends its season with a 10-2 record. In a game between two offensive juggernauts, the game was decided by the Warriors' defense.

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Junior Chase Waterhouse sacked Mustangs quarterback Mason Dicks on a fourth-and-17 play at the Newell-Fonda five-yard line with under two minutes left to seal the WACO victory.

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WACO junior Colton Leichty had 4 1/2 sacks and blocked a punt, which led to a Simeon Reichenbach field goal in the third quarter to give the Warriors an eight-point lead.

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Reichenbach opened the scoring with a 28-yard field goal and WACO quarterback Isaac Oswald hit Mason Miller with a 28-yard scoring toss. Reichenbach then hit Reece Oswald for the two-point conversion.

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