(Cedar Falls, IA) — Its not exactly David versus Goliath in the Class A State Championship game but when you consider the past history of Iowa High School Football — it might be close. Tri Center battles West Hancock for the state title this afternoon, coverage on KSOM.
West Hancock is pretty close to a Goliath — this will be the 4th straight state championship game for the Eagles who are the defending champions and have won 3 titles in the last 5 years. Tri Center is playing in its first every state championship game and a month ago won their first playoff game in school history. One day the players from the Trojans will come back to Neola and celebrate the anniversary of this team — how will it be remembered? As we got to the Dome but couldn’t quite finish it off or as state champs. Tri Center Head Coach Ryan Schroder
Tri Center saw the triple option running attack from AC/GC in the quarterfinals, they stopped the wishbone of St. Ansgar in the semifinals and now they face the Eagles who run out of the wing T. Schroder says West Hancock’s running stats are even better than the other two teams and the Trojans will have to play their best
On offense, Tri Center has more balance than most teams at any level — 2,681 passing which is basically split between Junior Wideouts Cael Witt and Zach Nelson now both over 1,000 receiving yards for the season. The Trojans have 2,582 rushing yards — most of it belonging to Carter Kunze with 2,286 with 38 rushing TD and averaging 7.4 yards a carry. Schroder says he has overcome some slow starts and watch out when the 2nd half begins
West Hancock will use three different running backs — Senior Creighton Kelly has 734 yards with 9.7 yards per carry, Junior Gustavo Gomez with 718 yards and 10.4 ypc but the leader is Senior Fullback Brady Bixel with 1,852 yards, 37 rushing TD and averaging 9.4 ypc. Head Coach Matt Sanger says he stepped into the #1 spot this year
Sanger says that you cannot completely stop Kunze, you can only hope at slowing him down
Sanger says that Tri Center is on an impressive run right now and he has not seen such a balanced offensive attack that puts up so many yards
11-1 Tri Center plays 12-0 West Hancock in the Class A State Championship Game, Kick off at 1p from the UNI-Dome, Pre Game at 12:30 on KSOM.
Complete Interview with Tri Center Head Coach Ryan Schroder
Complete Interview with West Hancock Head Coach Mark Sanger
