CEDAR FALLS - If it's any consolation, the Dowling quarterback who destroyed the Washington Warriors Friday night has enjoyed one of the most spectacular football careers in state history.

His name is Ryan Boyle and he could be starring for the Iowa Hawkeyes someday soon.

Boyle ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as fourth-ranked Dowling whipped top-ranked Washington, 49-14, in the Class 4A state championship game in the UNI-Dome.

Dowling defended its 2013 state crown and captured its third title in five years with a dominant performance from start to finish.

"We ran into a good team," Washington Coach Paul James said in his concession speech. "There's no doubt how good Dowling is."

It was the second straight year that Boyle and the Maroons completely bamboozled the best football team the Metro area had to offer. A year ago, Boyle accounted for six touchdowns - four running and two passing - as Dowling dumped Xavier in the finals, 44-13.

Boyle, a speedy runner with a strong right arm, finished his spectacular career with 4,566 yards passing, 45 touchdown passes, 3,044 yards running and 45 rushing TDs.

That adds up to 7,610 yards of total offense, 90 touchdowns and two state titles.

"He's a great player," said Washington linebacker Connor Vincent. "From what we saw on film, I thought we could really play them tough. They've got some great players, both offensively and defensively."

Dowling (13-1) scored the first two times it touched the ball on short runs by Boyle, the first time thanks to a botched punt by the Warriors and the second time when Boyle raced 46 yards to the 2.

Washington (13-1) got back in the game with an impressive 83-yard drive that featured two scrambles by quarterback Reid Snitker of 39 and 22 yards, and for a brief moment it looked like the Warriors might make a game of it.

It was an illusion.

Dowling scored two more touchdowns in the second quarter, once on a 5-yard touchdown pass by Boyle and then on a 1-yard run by the mercurial quarterback as the bulge grew to 28-7 at halftime

Boyle had 128 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the first half alone, along with 54 yards and another score through the air.

Dowling scored the first two times it touched the ball in the third quarter for a commanding 42-7 lead against the Warriors, who allowed an average of only 11.85 points in their previous 13 games.

Incredibly, the Maroons ignited the continuous clock with a 35-point lead with a full 7 minutes, 11 seconds left in the third quarter.

"They're a great team. I'll give them all the credit," said Snitker. "Obviously good teams make you play bad, but I don't think the scoreboard showed how good we are."

Speedy Landen Akers gave Washington fans something to cheer about in the fourth quarter when he scored on a 95-yard kickoff return. Akers, one of the top quarter-milers in the state, scored five different ways this year with touchdowns on a kickoff return, punt return, interception return, pass receptions and a run from scrimmage.

Boyle received a standing ovation from Dowling fans when he left the game with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter with a 49-14 lead.

Boyle began playing for the Dowling varsity as a freshman and kept improving from there, turning into a full-fledged star as a junior and senior.

"Those accolades are great and all," he remarked. "What it comes down to was, we had one goal: Win state. We did it and I couldn't be more happy."

Washington was seeking the first state football title in school history, but instead had to settle for another runner-up award to join the one it earned in 2003.

Washington set a school record with 13 victories.

"I'm definitely proud of how far we've come this year," said Vincent. "I'm proud of my team and my coaches and the whole program."

Washington finished with only 166 yards of total offense, including only six yards through the air on two completions. Snitker ran for 78 yards with some excellent scrambles.

It had an unhappy ending for the Warriors, but they enjoyed the journey.

"This is the most fun I've had in a football season," said Snitker. "My teammates ... I love them. The coaches. It was really enjoyable."

This was the fifth straight year that a team from the CIML league claimed the Class 4A title.

DOWLING 49, WASHINGTON 14

.                         DOWL         WASH

First downs        20           11
Rushes-yards       47-328       45-160
Passing yards      68           6
Comp-Att-Int       8-12-0       2-12-0
Fumbles-lost       0-0          1-0
Punts-avg.         2-36.0       5-31.6
Penalties-yards    6-45         3-11

Dowling       14   14   14  7 - 49
Washington    7    0     0   7 - 14

D - Ryan Boyle 4 run (Nick McLellan kick)
D - Boyle 2 run (McLellan kick)
W - Johnny Dobbs 2 run (Gunner Lenzen kick)
D - Eric Fordal 6 pass from Boyle (McLellan kick)
D - Boyle 1 run (McLellan kick)
D - Gray Gochenour 9 run (McLellan kick)
D - Max Kasap 22 run (McLellan kick)
D - Gochenour 14 run (McLellan kick)
W - Landen Akers 95 kickoff return (Lenzen kick)

Individual Statistics
Rushing

Dowling: Boyle 19-45, Schulte 1-10, Deskin 4-42, Gochenour 7-48, Denkinger 7-43, Kasap 7-42, Walding 2-minus 2.
Washington: Snitker 17-78, Dobbs 11-20, Patrick 6-19, Akers 1-6, Nassif 3-21, Nimmers 2-7, Smothers 1-4, Stewrt 1-4, Vogel 1-4, C.Vincent 1-0, Rodriguez-Bleakley 1-minus 3.

Passing

Dowling: Boyle 8-12-0, 68 yards.
Washington: Snitker 2-10-0, 6 yards; Vogel 0-2-0, 0 yards.

Receiving

Dowling: Schulte 7-62, Fordal 1-6.
Washington: Nimmers 1-5, Akers 1-1.