In a game where the offenses were supposed to be the main feature, it was the defense that stepped up when it mattered most and lifted the Tri-Center Trojans Football team to their first ever state championship. Defeating the West Hancock Eagles 14-10,  the Trojan defense held firm at every turn limiting the Eagles to just 240 yards while making multiple red zone stands en route to their first state title victory.

Although the game was dominated by the defenses, the Trojan’s offense came right out of the gates.  On the opening drive, Tri-Center drove 80 yards on nine plays that was capped off by a 38-yard AJ Harder strike to Carter Kunze. Down 7-0, the West Hancock offense went to work methodically driving the ball down the field. However, inside the red zone and looking to convert on fourth and short, the Eagles took a false start penalty, forcing them to attempt a pass that would fall incomplete.

At this point in the game, the defense started to take over. The line a scrimmage was a war for most of the contest, with neither team able to assert their full will on the other. Like a game of tug-of-war, both team’s defensive and offensive lines had their moments. However, after neither side could get much going, at 5:32 of the second quarter, the Eagles broke through on a 49-yard touchdown run by Gustavo Gomez. The Eagles’ only touchdown of the game was marked by controversy as an apparent holding penalty was picked up leaving the game tied at 7-7.

Now tied, Tri-Center’s offense needed a response to retake the lead before the half, and they would get one. Harder would lead the Trojan offense on a perfectly called and perfectly executed 12-play 73-yard drive. This included a huge fourth-down conversion reception from Zach Nelson, who finished the game with seven receptions and 78 yards. Kunze would cap off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown touchdown run that left little time for West Hancock to respond.

Down 14-7 and with the ball out of the half, the Eagles came out on a mission, going on a long extended drive. However, it was the Tri-Center’s defense that would come out on top. Despite some isolated explosive plays, West Hancock could not get anything going on offense. The Trojans’ defense allowed just twelve first downs and forced the Eagles to go o-for-3 in the red zone. They also forced West Hancock to punt multiple times in a game for the first time this season.  After some big plays for Kunze and the defense,  the Trojans came up with a goal-line stand forcing a field goal to push the score to 14-10 with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter. It would be the last score of the game.

Although Tri-Center’s offense couldn’t get much going either, they didn’t need to. With under four minutes to play, Harder punted the ball back to West Hancock and let the defense go to work one last time. After allowing a first down, the Trojans were able to halt the running attack of the Eagles once again. After a false start penalty made 4th & 15 West Hancock was forced to attempt a throw, which would ultimately fall incomplete all but sealing the game. After a first-down run by Kunze and a pair kneel downs by Harder, theb Tri-Center Trojans were Class A State Champions.

From going 3-6 a year ago to state champs, Head Coach Ryan Schroder was beyond pleased at reaching the top of the mountain.

For Tri-Center’s seniors, they will go out Champions. For a team that has barely gotten over .500 in the last five seasons, Kunze says that the championship mindset went all te way back to the beginning of the year.

Winning a championship can mean the world to a community and this one is no different as Kunze and the Trojans were proud to make the dream a reality.

Despite all the weapons at the Skill positions, it was the defense that was the star of the game for the Trojans. Schroder and his players credited their success to their preparation.

Although it might be way too early to start thinking about the future, don’t be surprised to see Tri-Center in the mix going forward. In addition to quarterback AJ Harder, the Trojans will return both of their top two receivers in Zach Nelson and Cael Witt. Harder is excited for what’s to come.

Regardless of what is to come, the celebration in Neola is here and now as the Tri-Center Trojans are the 2024 Class A State Champions