HOWARD – Something had to give.

The two undefeated teams in Class 9A football put on a boxing clinic for three quarters, but in the end, it was Warner’s two-year win streak that came to an end, as the Monarchs fell 40-13 to Howard Friday night in the semifinals of the 9A playoffs.

“We knew going in it was going to be a fight,” said Monarchs’ coach Derek Hoellein. “I was proud of our guys. We stayed punch for punch with them for a long time. Going into the fourth, we had a chance to win the game. 13-13 going into the fourth quarter, we gave ourselves a chance. I was proud of the effort and proud of the way they battled. Their style just wears on you a little bit.”

It was a battle that fit its billing, as both teams landed jabs in the opening half. Howard’s first score came when the Tigers recovered their own fumble in the endzone, capping a long drive that began when Howard picked off Warner quarterback Drew Bakeberg.

The Monarchs struck back in the final minute of the first half on a touchdown pass from Bakeberg to Alec Mikkelsen make it a 6-6 game heading into the break.

Howard, however, turned another Warner turnover into points, as Lucas Feldhaus returned an interception for a touchdown. That was the first of two pick-6s for the Tigers and one of five total Monarch turnovers (four interceptions and one fumble).

“You can’t make as many mistakes as we did and expect to win that football game,” Hoellein said. “Obviously, those hurt, but that’s part of playing a game. Our kids are trying to make a play, and unfortunately, some of them turned out as a turnover. But as a player and as a coach, you’ve got to trust those guys. Like I said, they’re just trying to make a play, and sometimes the ball just doesn’t go exactly where you want it to go.”

Warner again tied the game with 1:58 to play in the third quarter on a Jesiah Baum touchdown run. Baum returned to action after missing the quarterfinals. However, he was injured later in the game and did not return.

“He’s a big-time player,” Hoellein said of his junior running back/linebacker. “It was 13-13, and he went out with an injury and never came back in the game. Obviously, that was a big factor in how it ended, as well.”

Having parried every Monarch advancement thus far in the game, Howard landed its knockout blow in the fourth quarter, scoring on a quarterback keeper, two Feldhaus carries and a late pick-six to make it the final margin.

It was Warner’s first loss since the 2022 state title game, a 22-game stretch. The loss also marked the end of the line for nine Monarch seniors.

“It’s a group that we’re very thankful for,” Hoellein said. “Their commitment to the program and all the hard work they put in is something that they should be proud of. We’re going to miss that group. Part of that is laying the blueprint in being a leader and showing the young guys how things operate. This is definitely a group we’re going to miss. Obviously not the way we wanted to go out, but very proud of that group.”

Warner (10-1) 0 6 7 0 – 13

Howard (11-0) 0 6 7 27 – 40

H – Howard 4 fumble recovery.

W – Alec Mikkelsen 17 pass from Drew Bakeberg.

H – Lucas Feldhaus 79 pass interception return (PAT good).

W – Jesiah Baum 27 run (Mikkelsen kick).

H – Carson Hinker 26 run (PAT good).

H – Feldhaus 22 run (Calvin Halverson run).

H – Feldhaus 30 run.

H – Tate Miller 39 pass interception return.

OFFENSE: Warner, rushing (Baum 17-130, Devon Fischbach 2-12), passing (Bakeberg 11-25-109), receiving (Payton Volk 3-39, Mikkelsen 2-28), first downs 12; Howard, rushing (Miller 12-74, Weston Rememrs 14-61), passing (Carson Hinker 1-2 for 13), receiving (Garrett Feldhaus 1-13), first downs 14.

DEFENSE: Warner, Baum 10 tackles, Preston Cavalier 9 tackles, Hunter Robinson 9 tackles; Howard, team effort.