The Clear Lake Lions closed out the 2025 Iowa high school football regular season without a single loss, finishing with a perfect record that saw them outscore opponents 40‑5 on average.
Their defense was equally dominant, forcing 23 turnovers and posting six shutouts, including a stretch of four consecutive weeks in which the opposition failed to cross the goal line.
At the heart of the offense, quarterback Jaxson McIntire completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,605 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also rushing for more than 400 yards and nine scores.
The senior signal‑caller’s commitment to the University of South Dakota added a layer of intrigue to his already impressive résumé.
Running back Dwight Jones contributed 90 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, and freshman wide‑out Maddon McIntire earned an Iowa State offer after averaging 12 yards per carry.
Carson Riser added 14 receptions for 206 yards and a pair of scores, while defensive standouts such as Raif Baack, Davidae Coleman and Isaac Brownlee combined for 30 quarterback sacks and eight defensive touchdowns.
Looking ahead to 2026
The 2026 schedule features familiar rivalries against Humboldt, Webster City, Iowa Falls‑Alden and Charles City, beginning with a road test at Forest City.
Clear Lake will open its home slate against Humboldt before traveling to Webster City in week three, and the team is slated to host back‑to‑back contests against Nevada and Independence later in the season.
With the graduation of key seniors Sam Dodge and Kolby Hodnefield, the Lions may need Jaxson McIntire to elevate his game even further, while younger players like Maddon McIntire look to build on their freshman breakthroughs.
The coaching staff and players alike are optimistic that the momentum generated by a historic 2025 campaign can translate into another deep run in the coming year.