DES MOINES, IA — The West Des Moines Valley Tigers put together their most complete performance of the year on Thursday night, delivering a 56-0 shutout victory over the Des Moines Lincoln Railsplitters to close out the 2026 regular season.
The Week 9 victory extends Valley’s winning streak to four games, sending the state’s #9-ranked Class 5A squad into the postseason with significant momentum and a 6-3 overall record.
Dominance in All Facets
From the opening kickoff, Valley controlled the line of scrimmage and dictated the tempo of the game. The Tigers’ offense fired on all cylinders, executing both a lethal ground game and an efficient passing attack to build an insurmountable early lead. The 56-point margin marked a season-high for Valley, showcasing a peaking offense at the perfect time.
Defensively, the Tigers were utterly relentless. Valley’s front seven swarmed the Lincoln backfield, denying the Railsplitters any room to establish a rhythm. By forcing multiple three-and-outs and winning the turnover battle, the Tigers secured their most dominant defensive performance of the fall.
Playoff Bound
With the regular season officially in the books, both teams now look to the future:
- West Des Moines Valley (6-3): Head into the Class 5A playoffs as one of the state’s hottest teams, carrying a four-game surge into bracket play.
- Des Moines Lincoln (4-5): Conclude their regular season just under the .500 mark and will look to regroup ahead of postseason selections.
Official playoff brackets and first-round matchups are expected to be finalized this weekend.
Photos by Khamla Sithonnorath