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CEDAR FALLS — An outstanding defensive performance and a big game from running back Carter Kunze gave Tri-Center its first state football championship with a 14-10 victory over No. 1 West Hancock on Thursday at the UNI-Dome.
“It feels great,” said Kunze. “I’m so proud of these guys. It just means so much. I’m pretty speechless right now. I know it means everything to the school, the players, the coaches and the community. We did it for them.”
Tri-Center players celebrate after defeating West Hancock in the Iowa high school Class A championship Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Tri-Center had been dominant all through the playoffs in outscoring its four postseason opponents by an average score of 47-12. But West Hancock was unbeaten and the defending Class A state champion. The Eagles had won three state titles since 2019.
Tri-Center knew it had to slow down West Hancock’s potent power rushing attack. The Eagles entered the game averaging 357 yards per game on the ground. They were held to 207 by the Trojans on Thursday.
With 3:47 left in the fourth quarter, West Hancock gained possession of the ball on its own 16. The Eagles got one first down, but the Trojan defense held on, forcing West Hancock to turn the ball over on downs.
Athan Chessmore pressured Eagle quarterback Zephyr Jamtgaard and forced him to throw an incompletion with 1:57 left to secure the win.
“Our mentality going in is bend, don’t break,” said Kunze. “If you have bend, don’t break you can let them drive down the field if you stop them in the red zone, like we did.”
Tri-Center Carter Kunze (22) carries the ball to the endzone against West Hancock during the Iowa high school Class A championship Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Tri-Center forced West Hancock to turn the ball over on downs late in the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/no-6-tri-centers-wins-220913602.html
Author : The Des Moines Register
Publish date : 2024-11-21 22:09:00
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