JEFFERSON, Iowa — The regular-season game of the year in District 8 of Class 2-A will have a playoff sequel Friday night on the same field.

Carroll Kuemper won at IKM-Manning 35-28 in overtime on Sept. 18, paving the way for its district title.

Kuemper took care of its end of the bargain here Monday night, dominating Missouri Valley 35-0 in a first-round playoff game. IKM-Manning had more of a tussle, pulling away late for a 35-18 win over Bondurant-Farrar.

That sets up Friday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal game in Manning between western Iowa No. 4 IKM-Manning (10-1) and No. 3 Kuemper (9-2). The winner will advance to the semifinals in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Monday, Nov. 16. It will be Kuemper’s third quarterfinal appearance overall, and second in three years.

“I love that matchup,’’ Kuemper coach Justin Penner said. “They have probably the best coaching staff and best program in southwest Iowa. And we’re starting to play our best football at the end of the year.’’

Missouri Valley can vouch for that. After dropping a 35-20 decision in the regular season to the Knights, the Big Reds managed just 119 total yards and trailed 21-0 at the half.

“They were the better team in the regular season, and they were the better team tonight,’’ Missouri Valley coach Brian Knott said.

Senior quarterback Brandon Boldt was the offensive star Monday for Kuemper. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder carried 19 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns, and completed 4 of 8 passes for 108 yards.

Boldt’s quick feet and sound decision-making kept the Big Reds off-balance all night.

“He played really well,’’ Penner said. “He took what the defense was giving us, and they were taking away the dive play, so it allowed him to do some things on the option.’’

Knott said there were two big reasons his team struggled to get untracked offensively, Kuemper defensive tackles Kent Henderson (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) and Jared Henkenius (6-1, 230).

“We thought we could do some things, but we just couldn’t handle those two inside guys,’’ he said.

Kuemper broke open the game in the second quarter. Boldt’s 38-yard pass to Cody Williams highlighted an eight-play, 76-yard TD drive. Ethan Schoeppner’s 1-yard plunge put the Knights up 14-0.

After a Missouri Valley three-and-out, Kuemper took over at its 43. Boldt ran for 24 yards on the first play and later hit Williams for 25 yards on a fourth-and-10 play to the Big Reds’ 8. After a penalty, Boldt ran it in from the 15 to push the Kuemper lead to 21-0 at the half.

Boldt’s 42-yard run set up his 2-yard TD run with 6:46 left in the third. Missouri Valley’s best drive of the night ended when Williams stepped in front of a Dustin Nelson pass and returned the interception 95 yards for a touchdown at the 2:13 mark of the third.

The clock ran continuously the rest of the way.

Nick Monzu (1,414 rushing yards entering the game) carried 18 times for 98 yards for the Big Reds, ending a fabulous prep career. But Missouri Valley managed just 21 yards elsewhere.

“I just want to say something about how good of a ballplayer Nick Monzu is,’’ Penner said. “He’s a beast.’’

Missouri Valley started 0-2 and ended up making its 10th playoff appearance in school history.

“They’re a resilient bunch,’’ Knott said. “This one leaves a bad taste, but you have to think about how good we played to get back in it, and how good we felt after Wednesday night.

“We didn’t have as many talented athletes as we had last year, but these kids wanted a trophy and a banner, and they got them.’’

Missouri Valley (6-5)..............0 0 0 0—0

Carroll Kuemper (9-2).....................7 14 14 0—35

CK: Brandon Boldt 20 run (David Hicks kick)

CK: Ethan Schoeppner 1 run (Hicks kick)

CK: Boldt 15 run (Hicks kick)

CK: Boldt 2 run (Hicks kick)

CK: Cody Williams 95 interception return (Hicks kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: MV, Nick Monzu 18-98, Adam West 1-12, Dustin Nelson 9-2, Brett Leapley 1-1. CK, Boldt 19-151, Tyler Naberhaus 7-48, Schoeppner 6-19, Austin Boeckman 3-13, Williams 2-6, Taylor Pudenz 3-1.

Passing: MV, Nelson 3-11-2, 16 yards; Jole Miller 0-2-0. CK, Boldt 4-8-0, 108 yards.

Receiving: MV, Miller 2-9, Leapley 1-7. CK, Williams 2-63, Andrew Schleisman 1-28, Tyler Heuton 1-17.

Contact the writer:

444-1055, kevin.white@owh.com