Tri-Center FB Beats St. Ansgar to Reach State Championship Game, 42-14

Tri-Center Coach Ryan Schroder (11-14-24)

Tri-Center's AJ Harder (11-14-24)

TC's Brooks Andersen
(11-14-24)

TC's Carter Kunze
(11-14-24)

TC's Cael Witt
(11-14-24)

Tri-Center FB Beats St. Ansgar to Reach State Championship Game, 42-14 -

(11-14-24) – In a season of firsts, the Trojans are now a win away from the ultimate first.

Tri-Center scored 29 2nd half points to overwhelm St. Ansgar, 42-14, and reach the Class A State Championship Game for the first time in their school’s history.

“It's huge,” Tri-Center Coach Ryan Schroder told KNOD Sports after the game. “You know, to get to the Dome was a blessing in itself and to come out here and execute and put a game together like we did… I'm on Cloud 9 and my hats off to my guys and my assistants and just so happy for everybody in the community. This is what it's all about right here.”

Trojans quarterback AJ Harder had 286 yards passing and 2 touchdown passes, both to Cael Witt, including one for 31yds on the opening drive of the game. He felt it was important for his team to get on the board early.

“I think it was very important just to come out, go strong. But I feel like we could have done better in the first half. Like we could have scored in the red zone opportunities. But other than that, it was a heck of a job by our offense. I'm so proud of everybody.”

Kunze had 195 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns for Tri-Center, who had 544 yards total offense. Center Brooks Andersen talked about him and his linemates were doing their job to protect Harder and opened up holes for Kunze.

“We love Carter and AJ and we just we try and do the best for them.”

Kunze has had faith in his lineman all season long and felt they really came through for him in the 2nd half against St. Ansgar.

“I think just trusting them and trusting them that they'll do their job and then I just gotta follow the pullers, follow blockers and everything will take care of itself like it did in the second-half.”

Kunze and his teammates started slow. After receiving the opening kickoff, Kunze was held to -8 yards on his first 3 carries. It was a 15 yard completion to Zach Nelson that got the offense going and gave the team confidence.

“I think we had a little bit of jitters there to start. You know that's normal, just as long as you flush them early, everything will take care of itself. And I think we did that in the second-half. We were unstoppable offensively.”

Witt, who had 146 receiving yds and 2 TD’s, feels the poise of Harder as a sophomore helped the team focus on playing their game.

“It really helps us upperclassmen calm down like you see how he's handling it, man. Just like, why do we have to be, you know, scared or why should we be playing cautious? And it really helped. Feels awesome. I feel like just everyone deserves it. The the community has been waiting for a team that could do this and finally.

The Trojan defense forced 2 turnovers and held the Saints to 261 yards total offense and 2 for 11 on 3rd downs. Schroder knows that his defensive scheme has been key to his team’s success this postseason.

“My OC will be he won't be very happy with me saying this but defense wins championships. That's my mindset. I've always been like and my hats off to Coach (Matt) Hoch, Coach (Steve) Peterson and everybody that puts together that defensive plan. It's just tons and tons of time and they execute it. The kids know it like the back of their hand. That's what that's what the difference is.”

Tri-Center will look to capture their first ever football state championship when they face West Hancock on Thursday at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. (KNOD 105.3FM)

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