North DeSoto defeated Iowa during the high school football state championship game in Louisiana. A controversial penalty for roughing the kicker proved to be the game-changing difference.
The eventual victors were able to retain possession and kneel out the clock.
It appeared as though high school football officials made the correct call but a flag determined the outcome. Nobody wants the game to end because of a penalty.
Iowa defeated North DeSoto to win the Louisiana high school football championship.
Iowa High School is not located in the state of Iowa. It is located in Iowa, La., approximately 60 miles west of Lafayette, with a total enrollment of ~1,000 students. North DeSoto High School is located in Stonewall, approximately 25 miles south of Shreveport, with a total enrollment of ~800 students.
They are separated by 170 miles on Route 171.
Both schools compete on the Division-II Non-Select level of high school football competition. They were both undefeated at 13-0 entering the state championship game on Friday.
It was a hard-fought battle between two deserving opponents. The teams combined for 1,007 total yards and traded the leave seven different times throughout the four-quarter contest. Every time it seemed like the Yellow Jackets were poised to run away with the game, the Griffins would answer right back.
However, it was the former that ultimately defeated the latter by a final score of 50-43.
Iowa 50, North DeSoto 43.
— Louisiana vs. All Y’all (@LAvsAllYall) December 12, 2025
FINAL.
The Yellow Jackets win a state championship in their first-ever title game.
Jeremiah Bushnell, Kaston Lewis & the whole crew were excellent.
And the Jackets get a late call that helps seal it. pic.twitter.com/cOxsXPy71f
Iowa High School won its first-ever state championship in its first-ever state title game appearance.
A controversial roughing the kicker call changed the entire game.
There were two calls in favor of the Yellow Jackets that made a huge difference. A late hit penalty called on the Griffins gave their opponent a first down on 3rd-and-7 with just over five minutes left to play.
The second penalty was called with just over two minutes remaining and resulted in victory.
North DeSoto forced a punt with 2:19 on the clock and the snap sailed over the Iowa punter’s head. Chaos ensued. A recovery by the receiving team would’ve set up the offense with great field position and a chance to tie or win the game with a two-point conversion. It was a scramble.
However, the punter was able to get back to the errant snap with enough time to pick the ball up and kick it away. He also got hit just milliseconds after he got the punt off. Bang-bang.
Wooowww…
— Louisiana vs. All Y’all (@LAvsAllYall) December 12, 2025
North DeSoto forces a punt.
Iowa sails the snap over the punter’s head.
A roughing call goes against ND.
The Yellow Jackets retain possession and will start kneeling out a state title.
Iowa 50, North DeSoto 43.
4Q, 2:06. pic.twitter.com/5ugkdn5YYR
The late hit drew a roughing the kicker penalty.
4th down and down by a touchdown North DeSoto’s defense forces a punt.
— 318 Sports (@318Sports) December 12, 2025
Then this happens…
Iowa wins 50-43 in a class in the Super Dome pic.twitter.com/5RVmUWaZaX
The roughing the kicker penalty gave a fresh set of downs to the Yellow Jackets. Iowa was able to kneel out the clock to win by seven.
It is a shame that this is how such an exciting state championship game came to an end but it did appear to be the correct call. The punter became a regular runner while the ball was on the ground. He was able to reestablish himself as a punter before he booted the kick. Thus, roughing the kicker.