(Cedar Falls, IA) — Tri Center will attempt to play in their first every state championship game in football as they battle St. Ansgar in the Class A semifinals on Thursday afternoon, coverage on KSOM.
St. Ansgar has had a tradition of going to the Dome, making it in six different seasons including winning the 2011 state title. The Saints have been to the playoffs five years in a row and 17 of the last 18 years. The Trojans, meanwhile, have never been to the Dome. They had never won a playoff game until this season. And the Trojans had been over .500 just 2 times in the last 11 seasons. Tri Center Head Coach Ryan Schroder says he’s fine with not being the favorite going into this game
While Carter Kunze will be one to watch with 2,090 rushing yards on the season and 34 rushing TD, you have to account for the Trojans passing game as well. Sophomore AJ Harder has thrown for 2,392 yards and 26 TD but does have 14 interceptions. Schroder is impressed with his poise which has improved throughout this season
Tri Center faced a run first triple option in AC/GC in the quarterfinals and they will go up against something similar in the semis — St. Ansgar runs the old fashioned wishbone run attack although they throw it more often than the Chargers. Schroder says they are a very disciplined team
The Trojans got five turnovers against AC/GC — that might not happen against St. Ansgar so Schroder says there are a number of things they need to do including not allowing big chunks of yards on first down
St. Ansgar is led by Senior QB Jayce Schwiesow and an assortment of backs. Schwiesow has thrown for 1,201 yards and 14 TD with only one interception and he has run for 434 yards and 9 scores. Junior Korbin Michels has 1103 yards on the ground, Senior Tyson Kline is at 843 and Junior Joe Clevenger has 318. Long time Saints Head Coach Drew Clevenger says they have a tradition at St. Ansgar of doing the same thing over and over
Clevenger says that each one of his backs bring something different to the table and they make their wishbone attack work
Clevenger says his defense has improved all year especially on the defensive line — they have 65 TFL’s as a team with their top tacklers Joe Clevenger (66.5) and Korben Michels (65.5, 13 TFL) and they will get their challenge trying to find Kunze and bring him down
In the end this is a game between a traditional power of St. Ansgar against the up and coming Trojans who are having the best year in school history. Clevenger says it should make for a great game
Tri Center vs. St. Ansgar, both teams are 10-1, the winner will face West Hancock in the Class A state championship game. Game time is 1pm on Thursday, Pre Game at 12:30 on KSOM.
Complete Interview with Tri Center Head Coach Ryan Schroder
Complete Interview with St. Ansgar Head Coach Drew Clevenger
