Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The Southeast Valley football team celebrates after beating Waukon 50-14 in a Class 2A state semifinal game on Saturday in Cedar Falls. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

CEDAR FALLS — The Southeast Valley football team wasn’t going to settle for just a trip to the UNI-Dome.

The Jaguars wanted to leave a lasting impression.

Mission accomplished.

Southeast Valley will play for the school’s first ever state championship after a dominant performance in the Class 2A state semifinals on Saturday. The Jaguars (11-1 overall) accumulated 509 yards of total offense in a 50-14 victory over defending state champ Waukon (10-2).

“It means the world to us and the community to be playing for a state title,” said senior quarterback Kolson Kruse. “It’s a big deal, and we are excited.

“This is the type of thing you dream of as a kid.”

The Jaguars will now face West Lyon (10-2) in the title round on Friday. The Wildcats beat Williamsburg 20-14 in overtime.

Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. in Cedar Falls.

“I don’t know if it has hit us yet,” said SV head coach Mike Swieter. “It’s an honor. We worked so hard to get here…now we have to finish.”

It was all Jaguars as they set the tone immediately, recovering the opening kickoff on a muffed reception by the Indians.

Kruse followed his teammates’ lead blocks to a career day — one that will be forever remembered in school history.

Kruse accumulated 468 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns, rushing for five scores and throwing for two more. He had 237 yards on the ground and was 12-for-17 passing for 229 yards.

“It was kind of an outof-body experience,” Kruse said. “The guys up front make me look good.”

Two of Kruse’s TDs in the fourth quarter were defining moments, as two 40-yard plus scores showed his resilience and determination.

In the final period, Kruse ran the ball up the middle for what looked to be a short gain as he was bottled up. The signal-caller kept moving his feet, though, breaking four tackles and bursting 46 yards to the end zone.

“I was just keeping my legs churning,” Kruse said. “Once I got to the open field, I just went for it.”

The Jaguars turned four Indian turnovers into 30 points, beginning with University of Iowa recruit Aaron Graves’ opening kick that he recovered himself. It was the first of four Indian turnovers, as the Jaguars won that battle, 4-1.

“One of the biggest things for any game is to (be at a plus for turnovers),” Swieter said. “We showed Waukon we are for real and went down and scored.

“Anytime you can get an extra possession, it’s huge.”

Following the opening boot, Graves streaked down field and recovered the loose ball. It marked the first time Graves has ever recovered his own kick.

“It means everything to play for a state championship,” said the 270-pound Graves, a four-year starter on both sides of the ball. “It’s been our goal since the beginning of the season to win a state championship.

“Our lines (offense and defense) played well. We opened some holes for Kolson, who is a great runner. We knew our blocks and played well as a unit.”

Six straight runs from Kruse ended in the game’s first score from six yards out.

The Jaguars built a 28-0 halftime lead on three more TDs. Kruse added a two-yard score and threw touchdown passes to junior Eli Johnson (20 yards) and senior Tre Fisher (six yards). Kruse also had a two-point run.

“That opening kickoff was huge because it gave us the ball to start the game and we also had the ball to start the second,” Swieter said. “We controlled both halves, because our guys prepared themselves for this game.

“Last year (losing in the quarterfinals) we didn’t set our goals high enough. We haven’t achieved what we want yet, but we have put ourselves in position to do so.”

Kruse’s third touchdown run came in the third quarter from three yards out before the Indians got on the board for the first time when it was 34-0.

“Big-time players (Kruse) make big-time plays,” Swieter said. “Anything can happen when he has the balls in his hands.

“We have two great running backs and Lathe (Muench) was a big part of that. With what Waukon was going to throw at us, we knew we needed an extra blocker. Lathe and I talked earlier in the week and I told him what we needed. He just said, ‘let’s go do it.'”

The final score of the night came on another Kruse burst, sprinting 48 yards to the end zone.

Muench, the school’s career leader in rushing touchdowns, had 10 carries for 41 yards.

Fisher and Johnson continued their strong postseason run, as the two have combined for six TDs. Fisher has caught a touchdown in all three playoff contests, while Johnson has three postseason scores.

“We just have a level of trust for each other,” Kruse said. “They can go up and get it.”

Fisher finished with five grabs for 96 yards. Tight end Colton Brant, the school’s career leader for yards from a tight end, had five receptions for 85 yards.

Senior Caden Larson had a big day as well for the Jaguars. He caught a 38-yard pass, his first of the season. Larson also had an interception, 2.5 sacks and two pass break-ups.

“Something just clicked for me and it couldn’t have been at a better time,” Larson said. “Looking up and hearing the crowd after both of those plays (catch and interception) was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.

“Overall, it’s just an amazing day for everyone. But we’ll be back for more next week.”

The Jaguar defense allowed only 84 yards on the ground. Juniors Ethan Ackerson and Jared Cloud recovered fumbles. Cloud’s came on special teams.

Kruse had 5.5 tackles, while Johnson had four. Junior Justin Loseke added 1.5 sacks. Graves also had a sack and senior Harley Bryson was credited with half a sack.

“We tell all the kids to be in position and then they will have a chance to make a big play,” Swieter said. “You saw that with Ethan, Jared and Caden. It was a great team effort. Kolson carries the ball, but you need to have holes and people picking up blocks.

“Eli, Tre and Colton had some big catches and Caden had a big catch. Everyone did their part — every single play.”