Sitting on the bleachers inside the UNI-Dome as seventh graders, the St. Ansgar youngsters made a pledge to one another that day as they watched the last time the Saints were in the state semis.

"From seventh grade we've been in the weights," senior Jackson Steinberg said. "This is what we want to do. Now it's a reality."

A near-perfect first half vaulted St. Ansgar to its first state title game with a 32-19 victory over West Branch in the Class 1A state semifinals Saturday morning.

It was precise execution offensively as St. Ansgar tore apart the West Branch defense in the first 24 minutes.

It started with...

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