TROJANS MARCH TO THE DOME: Tri-Center FB Makes History w/ Win Over AC/GC, 47-20

Tri-Center's Carter Kunze (11-8-24)

Tri-Center's AJ Harder & Cael Witt (11-8-24)

TROJANS MARCH TO THE DOME: Tri-Center FB Makes History w/ Win Over AC/GC, 47-20 -

(11-8-24) – The Trojans go marching on to the UNI Dome!

For the first time in school history, Tri-Center will reach the Class A State Football Semifinals with their 47-20 win over AC/GC on Friday.

Reaching the UNI Dome is a dream come true for Trojans running back Carter Kunze.

“It feels great, man. This is something every kid dreams of when they're laying in their bed and you know, just to do it with this group of guys just makes it even better.

Sophomore quarterback AJ Harder, who threw for 159 yds and 2 TD’s. Harder has leaned on his senior leadership to help him navigate through this season.

“This season has meant so much to me like that these seniors, they I looked up to them so much. They're great leaders and I can just I can just execute so well them and our chemistry just.

Kunze rushed for 257 yds and 3 TD’s to eclipse the 2000 yd rushing mark on the season.

“I couldn't do without my O-line,” said Kunze. “You know, O-line doesn't get enough credit, but, man, they're really… they're the reason why I got 2000 yards and it just feels great and I know they love seeing me score and I always make sure to celebrate with them when I score.”

The win is huge for a school district that’s dealt with much adversity this year, starting with a devastating tornado to the city of Minden in April. The way the community has rallied behind this team has been meaningful to wide receiver Cael Witt and his Trojan teammates.

“It's crazy, man. Like, I didn't know a community could get behind a team so much, man. And just everyone, all the alumni, all the parents, grandparents come out to every game and their support is is a lot and it's awesome.”

Witt had 5 catches for 66 yds and TD on the evening.

Kunze also had a key play towards the end of the first half. On 3 & 9 for the Chargers on their own 20, they attempted a bubble screen that Kunze read perfectly and returned for a pick 6 to give his team the lead before halftime.

“Our D-coordinator puts in so many hours and it's just… it's really worth it. I mean, he puts in a crazy amount of hours and we all appreciate it. You know, we saw they threw a bubble out of trips and we all called out bubble. I just read it and took it to the house.”

Zach Nelson ended the game with a scoop & score from 40 yds for the other defensive TD. He also scored a TD on one of his 6 receptions for 88 yds. Defensively, the Trojans gave up 365 yds on the ground but forced 5 total turnovers that were the difference in the game.

Tri-Center will make their UNI Dome debut when they face St. Ansgar in the Class A Semifinals at 1pm on Thursday. (KNOD 105.3FM)

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