(Cedar Falls, IA) — With magic fairy dust on their trojan horse, the Tri Center football team rides into the Class A State Championship as the Trojans dismantled St. Ansgar on Thursday afternoon 42-14. It has been a magical year for Tri Center which will make its first ever appearance in a state title game next Friday November 22.
The game was only a game for about a quarter. Tri Center shook off their nerves and scored on the opening drive of the game — AJ Harder hit Cael Witt on a 31 yard TD pass to make it 7-0 Trojans. The Saints answer was swift — Korben Michels burst through the line for a 40 yard run to set up his own 3 yard TD and a two point conversion gave St. Ansgar an 8-7 edge. Tri Center again drove the field on the Saints red defense — Harder would hit Brant Freeberg on a 23 yard pass to move to the Saints 8 yard line. However, on 4th and Goal from the 5, Harder would get sacked for a loss of 5 and the Trojans turned it over on downs.
This is where the Tri Center defense would take over. On the first play of the 2nd quarter on 2nd and 10, Saints QB Jayce Schwiesow would be sacked by Brenton Kramer for a loss of 6. An incompletion later and it was a three and out and Schwiesow punted out of his own end zone. Tri Center took over on the SA 45 and Harder hit Freeberg for 13 then hit Witt for 12. On 4th and 8, Harder found Zach Nelson for 10 to move the chains. Carter Kunze, who only gained minus 8 yards on his first two carries — would waltz in for a 3 yard TD run, the 2 pointer failed to make it 13-8. On the Saints next drive, it was Landon Ward who pressure Schwiesow on 1st and 10 and forced a punt. Neither team scored the rest of the quarter so 13-8 was the margin at halftime.
Saint Ansgar had the first possession of the 2nd half but went nowhere fast — a three and out but Schwiesow booted a 56 yard punt pushing the Trojans back to their onw 14. Then it was Kunze time. The Senior had 42 yards in the first half but hit for 26 on his first carry of the second. After an incompletion, Kunze bolted for 24. On 3rd and 8, Harder found Kunze on a screen that he converted into a 12 yard gain. It was Kunze who ended the drive with a 13 yard TD and Kunze’s two pointer made it 21-8 at the 7:06 mark.
The Saints got moving on their next drive — Michels runs for 7, Kline for 6, Michels for 12, Michels for 2, Michels for 2, Kline for 3 but the Saints faced a 4th and 3 and Michels ran a sweep off the right side but it was Kunze who grabbed him and Michels knee touched just short of the first down. Tri Center took over on their own 32 and Kunze ran for 17, Harder hit Witt for 30, Freeberg relieved a tired Kunze and ran for 9, Harder found Nelson for 9. It was 1st and Goal at the 7. Two plays later, Kunze stood in the end zone for another score and the lead was pushed to 28-8 Trojans.
On the next possession, St. Ansgar faced a 3rd and 9 from their own 26 yard line and on the first play of the 4th quarter, Zach Nelson read Schwiesow’s eyes and picked him off — he twisted and turned towards the end zone. At the one yard line, he was stripped by Connor Mullenbach but the ball never hit the ground. Both players went in the end zone simultaneously and the officials ruled a touchback. While everybody was trying to figure what had happened, Michels ran it 36 yards. Then Schwiesow hit Chase Haugen for a 33 yard pass. Schwiesow would end the drive with a 1 yard TD run and the Saints had made it a two possession game, 28-14 with 9:52 to play.
It was Kunze’s turn to put the game away — on 2nd down and 4, Kunze got the ball, went off left side, got to the edge and raced down the sidelines. It was the offensive play of the game and it ended St. Ansgar’s hopes. A 57 yard TD run to make it 35-14. Tri Center DT Landon Ward would strip the ball from Schwiesow, Kramer recovered the fumble and the Trojans put the icing on the cake with a Harder 34 yard TD pass to Witt for insurance.
Four playoff games for Tri Center, four blowouts.
Tri Center improves to 11-1 on the season and will face West Hancock in the Class A state championship game next Friday afternoon at 1pm, coverage on KSOM.
Final Box Score, Click HERE
Tri Center Stats: Carter Kunze 29 carries 195 yards 4 TD; AJ Harder 17-24 passing 286 yards 2 TD; Cael Witt 7 catches 146 yards 2 TD; Zach Nelson 6 catches 89 yards; Brant Freeberg 2 catchs 34 yards, 5 rushes 38 yards; Brenton Kramer 10 tackles
St. Ansgar Stats: Korben Michels 19 carries 192 yards 1 TD; Tyson Kline 9 carries 29 yards; Jayce Schwiesow 3-11 passing 35 yards 1 INT
Post Game Interview with RB/LB Carter Kunze
Post Game Interview with QB AJ Harder
Post Game Interview with C Brooks Andersen
Post Game Interview with Cael Witt
Post Game Interview with Head Coach Ryan Schroder
West Hancock 50, Madrid 35
The Eagles did not throw a pass as they ended an upset run by the Tigers. West Hancock built a 22-0 lead in the first quarter and led 36-7 at the half. Madrid scored twice in a row to start the 3rd quarter on a Preston Wicker 5 yard run and Easton Halverson had a 14 yard TD to cut it to 36-21. Gustavo Gomez would answer for West Hancock on a 9 yard TD to make it 43-21. Early in the 4th quarter, Madrid got a Wicker 5 yard TD run, then recovered an onside kick and Wicker threw a 10 yard TD pass to Loken Velky to cut it to 8, 43-35. Madrid tried another onside kick but the Eagles recovered that one and got an insurance score late.
West Hancock had 450 yards rushing — Brady Bixel 27 carries for 240 yards and 3 TD; Gustavo Gomez 9 carries 149 yards and 3 TD and Teague Smith 6 carries for 52 yards. For Madrid, Preston Wicker had 35 carries for 219 yards and 3 TD.
Madrid falls to 9-3; West Hancock is now 12-0.
