Johnston, Iowa – October 31st, 2025
After finishing regular season play 6-2, the Dragons were awarded the three seed in the playoffs, leading Johnston to host the first two rounds of playoffs. Johnston finished the regular season on a two-game winning streak after losing at home to Sioux City East 17-21 on October 10th, 2025, to snap a four-game winning streak, and lost to the Maroons of Dowling Catholic 31-10 back in week two.
The Dragon offense made quick work during their first drive as senior running back Jeremiah Armstrong rushed his way past the Jaguar defense for a 31-yard rushing touchdown to make it 6-0 Dragons. Junior kicker Ricky Solis-Dowling’s PAT (point after touchdown) was unsuccessful.
“Great blocking opened up a path where I could rush right past the Ankeny Centennial defender into the end zone,” said senior Johnston running back Jeremiah Armstrong.
Johnston extended their lead in the second quarter after junior quarterback Trevin Helming connected with junior wide receiver Kanaan Reinders for a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it 12-0 Dragons. Ricky Solis-Dowling’s PAT was successful to make it 13-0.
Ankeny Centennial got on the board when senior running back Javaris Morgan rushed his way into the end zone for a 4-yard rushing touchdown to make it 13-6. Jaguars junior kicker Noah Manning’s PAT was unsuccessful.
“This team has worked real hard this year to get to this point in the playoffs and earned the 3 seed which gave us the opportunity to play at home this year and not have to travel,” stated Johnston Football Head Coach Brain Woodley.
Johnston added insurance heading into halftime as Trevin Helming found his offense inside the 5-yard line and rushed his way into the end zone to make it 19-6 Dragons. Ricky Solis-Dowling’s PAT was successful, and the Dragons led 20-6 at the half.
The Dragon defense forced a Jaguars fumble early on in the third quarter. Senior defensive tackle Anderson Schiesl recovered the fumble for the Dragons.
“It felt great diving for the loose ball, fighting for it in the pile, and celebrating after we got a turnover,” senior defensive tackle Anderson Schiesl said.
Johnston’s offense had a few tricks up their sleeves as they completed a trick play when Trevin Helming passed the ball to junior Bryce Beachem, who connected with Reinders for a 37-yard touchdown pass to make it 26-6 Johnston. Ricky Solis-Dowling’s PAT was successful in extending the Dragon lead to 27-6.
“The energy from the crowd was electric, and that momentum carried us through the toughest moments. Now it’s on to the next round against Valley,” junior wide receiver Kanaan Reinders stated.
Centennial’s Javaris Morgan broke free and rushed his way into the end zone for a 47-yard touchdown run to make it 27-12 just 17 seconds after the Reinders reception touchdown. Noah Manning’s PAT was successful to make it 27-13.
Jeremiah Armstrong rushed his way into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game to pad the Dragon lead to 33-13. Ricky Solis-Dowling’s PAT was successful in extending the Dragon lead to 34-13.
“Knowing we had to answer back, with the help of everyone on the field blocking I was able to break through the line right into the endzone for another six,” Armstrong said.
Jaguars sophomore quarterback Brekken Miller connected with junior wide receiver Cade Newman for a 22-yard touchdown pass to make it 34-19 Johnston. Noah Manning’s PAT was successful in cutting the Dragons’ lead to a two-possession game, 34-20.
“We played a great team game against Centennial. Everyone stepped up and did their jobs, trusting each other. We were really pumped to get a win in the first round of playoffs,” junior quarterback Trevin Helming said.
The Dragon defense forced the Jaguar offense to go for it with under six minutes left in the fourth quarter, down by 14. It was a 4th and 4 play; Brekken Miller found junior wide receiver Owen Gasperi for a 7-yard touchdown pass to cut the Dragon lead to 34-26 late. Noah Manning’s PAT was unsuccessful, as the Dragon Special Teams blocked the crucial PAT to hold an eight-point lead late.
Trevin Helming and his offense managed to run a significant amount of time off the clock. Ricky Solis-Dowling’s punt was blocked by the Jaguars Special Teams, which resulted in some good field position for the Jaguars, who were down eight late in the fourth quarter. The Dragon Defense would rise to the occasion, as the Jaguar offense couldn’t get any offense moving on their late crucial drive, and the Dragons would force a turnover on drives, which would extinguish the Jaguars’ hopes of completing a comeback bid and the Dragons would walk away with a 34-26 win.
This Friday the Dragons (8-2) host the Valley Tigers (8-2), who beat Prairie 26-20 in their first-round playoff game and have a chance to punch a ticket to the UNI Dome for just the second time in program history with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
