CEDAR FALLS — End of an era. A fourth straight championship game appearance is something to be proud about. But in the end, West Hancock of Britt could not overcome Tri-Center of Neola in the Class A state championship game Thursday at the UNI-Dome. The Trojans (12-1) pulled out a 14-10 victory to dethrone the defending champion Eagles (12-1), earning the school's first state football title in program history. West Hancock's Ray Gretillat hoists the Eagles' runner up trophy after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez runs the ball for a touchdown against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. “Championship games are about who makes the biggest plays or who makes the most plays,” running back Gustavo Gomez said. “It looks like they did today.” “I’m proud of my guys,” quarterback Zephyr Jamtgaard said. “They took it seriously and I’m really proud of that. We’re a program that gets to the championship. Win or lose, I’m still proud of this team. I don’t think this game defines our season at all.” West Hancock nearly pulled it off despite a pair of devastating injuries. A week ago, the Eagles lost second-leading rusher and top tackler Creighton Kelly to a knee injury. Kelly tried to make a go of it in pre-game but was immediately ruled out. Then in the second half, leading rusher Brady Bixel went down and had an arm in a sling by the end of the game. “Down here that’s part of the game,” West Hancock head coach Mark Sanger said. “In Class A football, when you lose kids like Creighton Kelly and Brady Bixel, I’d be lying to you if it didn’t affect what your gameplan was and what you’re doing. We got guys who stepped in, and we prepared for it.” West Hancock celebrates after forcing a turnover on downs against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Brady Bixel is tackled by Tri-Center's Zach Nelson as he runs the ball on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. “Brady was out so I had to step in at fullback,” Gomez said. “I have experience playing fullback, so it didn’t really increase my workload or anything.” Tri-Center made it tough on the Eagles and forced them into things a typical West Hancock team does not have to do, especially playing from behind and without its two best offensive weapons. For a team that didn’t throw the ball once in the semi-final game against Madrid, the Eagles quarterback Zephyr Jamtgaard was forced to throw more than normal as he finished just 3 for 9 for 33 yards. Bixel had 100 rushing yards before he went out with injury. Tri-Center, on the other hand, was also firing on all cylinders offensively with Carter Kunze running for 168 yards and a rushing touchdown paired with 62 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Quarterback A.J. Harder had 207 passing yards with the touchdown to Kunze. Zach Nelson led the Trojans in receiving yards with 78. The game started with an explosive drive by the Trojans. The Trojans pounded the ball 42 yards down the field before Kunze picked up his first touchdown of the game on a 38-yard reception to give them the early 7-0 lead. After trading defensive stops, the Eagles finally answered back in a big way. After forcing a turnover on downs on the West Hancock 45-yard line, Gomez took off from the Tri-Center 49-yard line and tied the game up 7-7. “I ran my hardest,” Gomez said. “I only had one touchdown. It was all that I could get today.” West Hancock head coach Mark Sanger directs his players on the field against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock reacts after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Tri-Center closed the first half with a nearly five-minute drive dominated by Kunze’s ground game and the Trojans took back the lead with a Kunze four-yard touchdown with 40 seconds left in the half. The Eagles tried to tie the game back up, but a forward pass on a trick play past the line of scrimmage left the game 14-7 in favor of the Trojans as both teams headed into the locker room. The Eagles were the only team to score in the second half. Bixel exploded in the first two plays for a 28-yard rush followed by a 15-yard rush to get the ball in scoring position. However, a strong defensive showing by Tri-Center, West Hancock was forced to kick their first field goal of the year to make the game 14-10. “It was just a battle in the second half,” Sanger said. “We tried to figure out what we could do and couldn’t do. Defensively, we gave them some yards, but we turned them away when we had to. We turned them away in the second half, but we couldn’t make enough plays in the end to win that game.” The West Hancock senior class finished their football careers doing something that no team in school history has ever done by making the championship game for all four years of high school. West Hancock's Brady Bixel is tackled by Tri-Center's Zach Nelson as he runs the ball on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. “I couldn’t ask for a better senior class,” Sanger said. “There may be more athletic classes that come through but the way these guys compose themselves, the way they work, the example they set, the things they do, they’re going to be fine young men in our society as they go forward. That’s the goal isn’t it?” “This season has been great,” Jamtgaard said. “We finished 12-1 and were district champs, which is something we didn’t do last year. It’s really something to be proud of.” West Hancock's Ray Gretillat hoists the Eagles' runner up trophy as they depart the field after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez runs the ball for a touchdown against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock head coach Mark Sanger directs his players on the field against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Teague Smith grabs the feet of Tri-Center's Cael Witt as he runs the ball on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez dives as he is tackled while running for yardage against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Zephyr Jamtgaard hands the ball off to Gustavo Gomez against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Ray Gretillat tackles Tri-Center's Carter Kunze as he runs the ball against on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock reacts after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez runs the ball for yardage against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Brady Bixel is tackled by Tri-Center's Zach Nelson as he runs the ball on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Ray Gretillat hoists the Eagles' runner up trophy after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock celebrates after forcing a turnover on downs against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez runs the ball for a touchdown against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock reacts after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez loses grip of a long pass down field against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Gustavo Gomez has a pass go through his hands as Tri-Center's Carter Kunze defends on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock head coach Mark Sanger jokes with Brady Bixel as they leave the field for halftime against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock celebrates after Gustavo Gomez (24) scores against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock reacts after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Brady Bixel is tackled by Tri-Center's Zach Nelson as he runs the ball on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock reacts after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock reacts after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock players console each other after their loss against Tri-Center on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Reese Luedtke wraps around Tri-Center's AJ Harder as he runs the ball on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. West Hancock's Zach Beukema rushes Tri-Center's AJ Harder as he makes a throw on Thursday during the eight-player championship game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Final kneeldown of Tri-Center's first-ever football state title in a 14-10 win over West Hancock at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Sent weekly directly to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Furthermore, the completion of the "protecting existing homes and promoting house exchanges" initiative ahead of schedule sets a great example for other provinces and regions in China to follow. It showcases the importance of efficient project management, teamwork, and commitment to achieving common goals. By learning from the success of Liaoning province, other areas can streamline their processes, optimize resource utilization, and accelerate the pace of urban development projects.Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Oil Price Plunges! Adjustment Leads to Continuous Expansion in the Price Drop of 92-Octane Gasoline
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!'World War 3 has already begun' according to chilling warning from Ukrainian ambassador
The slight decrease in housing prices could be seen as a positive sign for the real estate market. The government has implemented various measures to prevent speculative real estate bubbles and ensure the stability of the housing market. The decline in housing prices reflects the effectiveness of these measures in controlling price growth and promoting a healthy housing market.
One of the key factors driving this monumental success is Taobao Global's strategic focus on providing a curated selection of high-quality products from top Chinese and international brands to cater to the evolving preferences of global consumers. By leveraging Alibaba's extensive network of merchants and logistics infrastructure, Taobao Global has been able to offer a seamless shopping experience that is tailored to the needs and preferences of customers in different markets.In a bid to ease the financial burden on ordinary residents and stimulate the real estate market, Henan province is considering exempting ordinary residential properties from the land value tax. This potential policy change has sparked discussions among policymakers, real estate developers, and residents alike.
‘World at dawn of third nuclear age’, armed forces chief warnsThe sincerity and authenticity of Xiang Zuo's declaration resonated with fans and netizens, who were touched by the purity of his emotions and the bravery it took to express his love in such a public and vulnerable manner. Many praised Xiang Zuo for his courage and straightforwardness, applauding him for being open and honest about his feelings for Guo Bite.
Snowflake director Frank Slootman sells $700,074 in stockThe impact of false rumors can be far-reaching, resulting in damage to the reputation of institutions and individuals involved. In the case of Nanning Zoo, the unfounded claim of recruiting wild man actors not only tarnishes the zoo's image but also undermines its ongoing efforts in wildlife conservation and education.As scientists continue to study and monitor seismic activity in the region, the hope is that advances in technology and early warning systems will help to improve our ability to predict and prepare for future earthquakes. By investing in research, infrastructure, and education, we can take proactive steps to build resilience and reduce the vulnerability of communities to the destructive forces of nature.
One of the key factors that determine the profitability of a hotel in a county town is its location. County towns are often considered secondary or tertiary markets compared to major cities, which can pose challenges in attracting guests. However, county towns also have their own advantages, such as lower operating costs, less competition, and a potential for niche markets. By strategically choosing a location with high tourist traffic or proximity to popular attractions, a hotel in a county town can tap into a steady stream of guests and maximize its profitability.
Hisense Group remains dedicated to its employees, customers, and partners, and will continue to prioritize the well-being of its workforce. The company is focused on driving innovation, growth, and sustainability across its various business segments, and is constantly exploring new opportunities for expansion and development.