Submitted photo Current South Central Calhoun players Jordan Khommanyvong (left) and Blake McAlister sit together during their youth playing days.

LAKE CITY — When Brennan Holder was in elementary school, he found himself in the middle of a transition that introduced him to new teammates and friends that would later become family.

Rockwell City-Lytton and Southern Cal consolidated districts in 2010-2011 to form South Central Calhoun — a program that quickly developed into a perennial football contender.

“My teammates are more than my teammates,” said Holder, a senior running back. “They are my friends and my brothers.

“We have been together since elementary school, and have been pretty successful since. We’ve always dreamed of playing in the (UNI-Dome) together. It’s like a dream come true.”

The Titans will be playing in their first-ever semifinal contest in Cedar Falls this Saturday morning. It’s an accomplishment a full decade in the making, after the program reached the quarterfinals seven of their 11 years together without qualifying for the final four.

“Being the first (SCC) team to make it to the dome feels pretty great, considering it took us 11 seasons to get there,” said senior running back Jordan Khommanyvong. “The bond has just been getting stronger and stronger with each passing year. My teammates are amazing and we have been there for each other through everything.

“It feels awesome to know we have a spot in the UNI-Dome and that our chance at a state title is right there. 2020 has thrown so many curve balls at us, but we’ll just keep hitting them out of the park.”

The Titans earned their spot in Cedar Falls after compiling a 9-1 mark and knocking off fifth-ranked Southeast Valley in the quarterfinals. They will now take on No. 2 Van Meter (10-0) on Saturday at 9 a.m.

“The bond we have and the ability when we all play together with a little energy is something special,” said junior running back Blake McAlister. “We’ve made it to the quarterfinals countless times, and finally being able to get over that hump is just a feeling you can’t describe.

“A lot of us grew up together and have played together ever since we were little kids. Yeah we joined with Southern Cal a few years back, but there never was tension between us. We all became friends and love each other like brothers.”

As a consolidated program, South Central Calhoun has comprised a record of 92-27 in 11 seasons, reaching the playoffs 10 times.

“It feels great to be the first team to go to the Dome,” said senior quarterback Cole Corey. “We’ve went out on the quarterfinal game every year us seniors have been in high school, so it’s awesome to finally get over the hump.

“My teammates mean the world to me. We’ve been like family since (the consolidation).”

Holder is one of 12 seniors who will finish his high school career in Cedar Falls one way or another.

“This feels amazing,” Holder said. “Being the first South Central Calhoun team to make it over that quarterfinal hump is a blessing. Every year this senior class has been in high school we have been denied, so to make it this year is pretty special.

“We have worked very hard this off season and created a special bond (in the process).”