West Hancock falls in bid for back-to-back, finishes as Class A runner-up

In a state championship game played the way it should be, #1 West Hancock lost to #5 Tri-Center in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class A State Championship game Thursday afternoon in Cedar Falls.

What was expected to be an offensive shootout turned into a defensive slugfest inside the UNI-DOME. Of the 20 offensive stat categories recorded on BOUND, Tri-Center or West Hancock was number one in 14 of those coming into the game. Most notably, West Hancock was number one with 71 in offensive touchdowns, while Tri-Center was number two with 69. For all-purpose yards, Tri-Center was number one with 6339, and West Hancock was number two with 5877. But it wasn’t an offensive shootout; instead, the defenses were the stars of the show.

Tri-Center started the game with the ball and a hot start on offense. The championship newcomers didn’t look like it, driving 80 yards on nine plays, removing just 3:59 off the clock, and the Trojans led 7-0. West Hancock’s opening drive also had nine plays, but the Eagles drove just 59 yards and turned it over on downs. Leaving it in the hands of the defense to prevent Tri-Center from an early two-score lead.

The West Hancock defense rose to the challenge, forcing Tri-Center to punt and giving the ball back to the offense. Now, into the second quarter, the West Hancock offense only got one possession in the opening 12 minutes. The Eagles were forced to punt themselves for the first time in two games inside the UNI-DOME this season. The West Hancock drive lasted just five plays and 22 yards.

After the West Hancock defense got another stop, the West Hancock offense finally gained some traction. The Eagles set up shop at their own 45-yard line, and three plays into the drive, Gustavo Gomez broke off a 49-yard touchdown run to even the score at 7-7 with just over five and a half minutes to play until halftime.
West Hancock’s defense would look for yet another stop on one of the state’s most potent offensives to either hold the game at 7-7 or even give West Hancock a shot at a two-for-one opportunity with the Eagles getting the ball to start the second half. Though neither would happen, Tri-Center’s sophomore quarterback AJ Harder would orchestrate a 12-play 73-yard drive to extend the Trojans lead to 14-7, leaving West Hancock with just 35 seconds left until halftime.

Rushes by Teague Smith and Brady Bixel for a total of 34 gave West Hancock a shot after they called timeout with eight seconds remaining, but the trick play that resulted in a West Hancock touchdown from 40 yards away was called back due to penalty. Zephyr Jamtgaard completed a 13-yard pass to Zach Beukema, but his pitch was ruled an illegal forward pass, and the half came to an end with West Hancock down 14-7.

After the half, West Hancock got the ball, and Brady Bixel – who has been fighting multiple injuries – used what was left to help the Eagles move the ball down the field. Bixel had rushes for 25, 18, and a reception for 19 yards to give West Hancock first and goal from the Tri-Center two-yard line, but the Eagles would not be able to even the game. West Hancock went backward on three straight plays and settled for Beukema’s first completed field goal of the season from 25 yards to bring the Eagles within four points, 14-10.

West Hancock had three more opportunities with the football but was unable to find any traction against the Tri-Center defense. The Eagles even left the Wing-T on the final drive and went into the spread offense for two plays, but two incomplete passes and a penalty gave the ball back to Tri-Center. The Trojans would need just one first down, and they got it on second and twelve. They were able to kneel the game away, winning their first state title in school history on their first try.

West Hancock’s loss is just its first since losing to Saint Ansgar on September 8th of last year and its first postseason loss since the 2022 state title game to Grundy Center.

West Hancock is now 5-6 all-time in 11 championship game appearances and 66-30 all-time in the postseason. West Hancock had a school-record-tying nine straight playoff wins until the championship loss and will move into next season looking to return to a fifth consecutive championship game appearance. Only five other schools have been to more championship games in state history than West Hancock. Harlan Community 23, Emmetsburg 16, Dowling Catholic 17, Bishop Heelan 14, and Iowa City Regina 12.

(Editors note: These stats and records are a combination of West Hancock, Britt, and Kanawha – which the school uses. The state of Iowa separates them, so officially, by state standards, West Hancock has only been to eight title games and is now 4-4 in those games.)

Game Stats:

Dan Krull contributed to this article.