Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Jace Nelson-Brown of Emmetsburg celebrate after beating Nashua-Plainfield Titus Evans during 1A Semi-finals on Friday inside Wells Fargo Arena.

DES MOINES — For the second straight year, Jace Nelson-Brown was pitted against Titus Evans of Nashua-Plainfield with a spot in the Class 1A state championship on the line.

And for the second consecutive time, the Emmetsburg standout prevailed.

Nelson-Brown handled Evans in the 175-pound semifinal, earning a 10-1 major decision. Last year, he bested Evans in sudden-victory, 4-2.

The future Cornell College wrestler will now take on Don Bosco’s Kaiden Knaack here Saturday night inside Wells Fargo Arena in the finals. With a win, Nelson-Brown would become the 32nd state champion all-time at the school.

All three of Nelson-Brown’s (38-4) wins this week have come with bonus points attached, as three-time medalist has two major decisions and a fall.

Evans, a standout on the football field this past fall like Nelson-Brown, had pinned his way to the semifinals. He was a perfect 29-0 entering the rematch but quickly found himself in a 4-0 hole after a takedown and near-fall by Nelson-Brown.

In the third, Nelson-Brown again recorded a takedown followed by a near-fall to cement the win.

Knaack, a senior who is 32-4, was sixth last year and eighth the year before.

Justin Wirtz (41-3) has earned his first medal, as the junior scored back-to-back consolation round wins by fall. The 165-pounder will meet Clay Wilgenbusch from East Buchanan with the chance to place as high as third.

Gage Jorgenson suffered a consolation round loss at heavyweight, ending his third trip to state. The senior went 26-6 this past year.

St. Edmond

Sam Myer saw his state tournament run end just short of claiming a spot on the podium.

Myer, a St. Edmond junior, suffered a 10-1 loss to Steve Brandenburg of Lake Mills in the fourth round of consolations at 138 pounds.

After being knocked off by Pleasantville’s Caleb Cook in the first round, Myer scored a pin of Zach Harbison from Wapello to remain alive. He was given a medical forfeit victory in the third round before running into Brandenburg again.

Last year in his state debut, Myer fell to Brandenburg in the opening round. The sophomore is the son of former Twin River Valley head coach Alex Brandenburg.

Myer ends the year 29-15 and has gone 58-29 over the last two seasons.

South Central Calhoun

Senior Brock Nattress secured his first state medal with a 6-4 decision win in the consolation fourth round Friday, besting Taven Moore of Riverside, Oakland.

A two-time qualifier, Nattress fell to Carter Metcalf of Pleasantville for the second time this week and will now meet Easton Krall of Wapsie Valley for seventh at 150 pounds.

East Sac County

After picking up a third period fall on the consolation side, Charlie Veit (44-4) was forced to medically forfeit at 144 pounds.

Veit, a two-time medalist and three-time qualifier, is set to meet Zane Mullenix of Pleasantville for seventh.