×

JAG-GERNAUT

Iconic moment: Southeast Valley wins first title

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Southeast Valley players huddle around the Class 2A state championship trophy on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Jaguars defeated West Lyon, 30-13, to secure their first-ever title. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

CEDAR FALLS — The process was daunting.

At times, even exhausting.

In the end — when the Southeast Valley football team broke into a song they knew well in front of a large contingent of fans — it was a dream that had become reality.

After the final seconds ticked off of the Class 2A state championship game here on Friday, the Jaguars — convincing 30-13 winners over traditional power West Lyon — hoisted the trophy and celebrated inside the UNI-Dome as everyone recited the “Mighty Mighty Jaguars” cheer in unison.

“It couldn’t feel any better. All of our hard work came full circle,” said senior quarterback Kolson Kruse, holding back tears. “We are on top of the world.

“It means the world to be wearing this (SV) jersey. To be here with all of my coaches and teammates — we are a family.

“It’s going to be tough to take (the uniform) off, but I know I’m leaving it in a better spot.”

After clinching the school’s first-ever football crown and first team title in school history, the Jaguars were at a loss for words in the moment of explaning what they had just achieved.

Southeast Valley (12-1 overall) dominated the Wildcats (10-3), defeating a state champion for the third straight week.

“It’s a dream come true for all of the communities, coaches and players,” said Jaguar head coach Mike Swieter. “Only a handful of teams ever get to experience this.

“When you’re a coach, you never know if you will even get the chance. We did and we made the most of it.”

Swieter, who is now 139-74 in his career, had watched his senior class reach the quarterfinal round three times and earn their first semifinal trip.

“Coaching is the only profession where you want to work five extra weeks and you don’t earn one extra penny to do it,” Swieter said. “You prepare for this and everything is worth it.”

As fifth and sixth graders, the Jaguars played in the UNI-Dome during their youth football days. In their final game on the turf, a goal from long ago became a reality for the 2021 group.

“It means everything. We’ve talked and talked and talked about winning the state championship. Now that we did, it’s surreal,” said senior University of Iowa recruit Aaron Graves. “This is one of the most incredible moments of my life.

“It makes my heart sad to say this is the last time I’ll suit up as a Jaguar, but I’m excited for the next step. I love these guys and love playing the game with them. I’ll definitely miss that. But we did it.”

After rolling past defending state champ Waukon in the semis last Saturday, facing perennial power West Lyon was another stern task for the Jaguars. The Wildcats, who have won five state titles, have been in the postseason 32 times.

“We took advantage of the opportunity given to us,” Swieter said. “We started preparing a long time ago. I think we really felt good after playing Waukon. We stayed in the same hotel, had the same food and did everything the same.”

Kruse, who had a career game in the semis, put together another scrapbook moment in the finals.

“A lot of people know Aaron is a stud, but so is Kolson and we have a lot of other studs,” Swieter said. “Everyone stepped up to the plate. That’s what is so huge — so many different people helped us win.”

After a feeling-out process in the first quarter, Kruse got the Jaguars on the board, hitting Eli Johnson in stride with a 57-yard strike for the only scoring of the first half and a 6-0 lead.

It was another long strike in the third period to make it a two possession game, as Kruse hit senior Tre Fisher on a beautiful 54-yard TD toss. Johnson caught the two-point conversion.

Southeast Valley started to close in on the crown after Kruse broke into the end zone on a one-yard burst. A Kruse to Colton Brant two-point conversion made it 22-0.

West Lyon’s Jaxon Meyer found Jude Moser from 18 yards out for the first Wildcats’ score. The Jaguars answered right back, though, at the start of the fourth quarter as Kruse hit Brant from nine yards out and then connected with Fisher on the two-point conversion.

The Wildcats capped off the scoring on a Meyer to Hunter Jacobson 61-yard bomb. Meyer threw for 154 yards.

“In the first half, we got up 6-0 and knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Graves said. “Once we got up by two more scores, we all kind of felt like we were going to do it.

“A big part of it is Kolson’s scrambling ability and making things happen. They have to adjust to that, and it opens the rest of the offense and changes the gameplan for them.”

Kruse finished the early-morning contest with 300 yards and three touchdown passes. He rushed for 69 yards and a score.

Kruse accounted for 369 of Southeast Valley’s 370 yards of offense.

“We didn’t have enough protection early and once Lathe (Muench) came in to block, it gave me a little more time,” Kruse said. “I think that really helped open things up.”

In the two gamesatin the UNI-Dome, Kruse threw for 540 yards and five scores and ran for 295 and six touchdowns. He had a combined 835 yards and 11 TDs, fooling defenses with his spin moves and durability.

“A lot of times, even I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do next,” Kruse said. “I just see some open area and I just head there and trust my receivers to make plays.

“They trusted me, too, so it’s a great feeling.”

Fisher had a career day with six grabs and 136 yards. Brant had four catches and 81 yards. Johnson had three receptions for 67 yards. All three found the endzone.

“I’ve always dreamed about this,” Fisher said. “We (Fisher and Kruse) trust each other, knowing that we are going to make plays and even if it’s a tight throw he makes it happen. It’s a great connection.

“I’m sad the season is over, but I’m glad I went out with a bang.”

In five postseason contests, Fisher caught 20 balls for 476 yards and five touchdowns. Fisher joins his sister, Kiersten as a state champion; Kiersten won the 2019 state high jump title.

Tre and Kiersten are the younger siblings of Southeast Valley’s career rushing leader, Kyler Fisher, who is now a linebacker with the University of Iowa. Kiersten runs track for the Hawkeyes.

“We talk about it (state titles at home),” Tre said. “Now Kiersten and I each have one.”

Brant led the defense with six tackles. Senior Caden Larson and Muench had four tackles each, while junior Ethan Ackerson and senior Pierce Woodruff had 3.5 tackles each. Larson also recorded a fumble recovery.

“This year was my first time playing any defense. I would’ve never thought that I would lead the team in tackles in the state championship game,” Brant said. “The coaches helped me learn everything I know.”

The Wildcats, who entered the contest averaging 247 yards on the ground per game, were held to 84 rushing yards.

“I think we have one of the best defensive coordinators (in Mark Graves),” Brant said. “He lives for football and watches film like it’s Netflix. He always has a great gameplan and (Friday) was just an example of that. He knows how to use his players and get the most out of all of us on the field.

“We just did our job. Coach Graves should get all the credit for how well our defense played.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today