The Newton Cardinal Football team will host Fort Dodge in the First Round of the Class 4A Iowa High School Football Playoffs on Friday night. Both teams are 8-1, with losses to other playoff teams. The Cardinals’ loss in week three was at North Polk, while the Dodgers were defeated at home by Sergeant Bluff-Luton in week five.

Fort Dodge’s offense has gained just over 2,760 yards this season with 21 rushing touchdowns and six through the air. The Dodgers have 1,831 rushing yards with a 5.8-yard per carry average. The team has gained 932 yards through the air, with a completion rate of 54.3%. Fort Dodge’s defense has seven fumble recoveries and five interceptions, and has given up an average of 12 points per game. 

Newton’s offense has accumulated over 3,650 yards, 2,248 on the ground with a 7.6 yard per carry average and 1,405 yards through the air, with a completion percentage of 50.8%. The Cardinals have 33 rushing touchdowns and 15 passing. The Cardinal defense has given up an average of 19 points per game and has six fumble recoveries and ten interceptions. Newton head coach Andy Swedenhjelm believes the team is peaking at the right time.

“We were a little banged up early in the year, so we didn’t see the best version of ourselves for a while this year. But I just think we are playing really, really well right now.

The first round playoff game between the Cardinals and Dodgers will kick off at 7:00 p.m. Friday at H.A. Lynn Stadium, and will be broadcast live on  kniakrls.com KRLS3.