Dowling Catholic defeats Valley in overtime football game, Middleton scores 3 touchdowns

WEST DES MOINES – Dowling Catholic would not be denied in Valley Stadium, defeating rival Valley 26-23 in overtime Friday despite trailing by two scores in the first half.

The Maroons have defeated Valley in each regular-season matchup dating to 2020, a five-year streak, and have won six of the last seven contests. They did so behind running back Ian Middleton, who rushed for three touchdowns.

In the first half, Dowling struck first as Middleton not only converted on fourth down but took it 37 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Valley responded with a field goal to end the quarter, making it 7-3.

Valley’s Jayden McGregory started to make his impact felt on defense, intercepting a Parker DePhillips pass on third down and taking it 40 yards to the house for a 10-7 lead. On its next offensive drive, Valley received the ball deep inside Dowling territory off of a short punt, and Drake DeGroote capitalized with a 15-yard touchdown run to take a two-score lead.

Dowling shrugged off the 17-0 run, adding a field goal to make it a 17-10 score at the half.

To start the second half, Middleton got his second touchdown run of the game to tie the score at 17 in the third quarter. Valley answered at the beginning of the fourth quarter as running backs Darius Mason and Jahkari Clark set up the Tigers for a field goal to take a 20-17 lead.

With 5:45 remaining in the game, Dowling began a physical drive into Valley's red zone, capped off by a field goal to tie it with 48 seconds left and send it to overtime.

Valley nearly scored a touchdown to open overtime, but Dowling's secondary jarred the ball loose from Zay Robinson in the back of the end zone to force a field goal. With a chance to win it, Middleton capped off his stellar game with a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down to walk-off the game for the Maroons.

Valley's tough schedule continues as the Tigers host Johnston in Week 3. Dowling will try to stay undefeated in its game at Ankeny.

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dowling Catholic defeats Valley in overtime football game, Middleton scores 3 touchdowns