Tri-City United’s first-ever trip to state started with a convincing victory.

The Titans got four touchdowns from running back Aaron Chimal and overcame an early deficit to top Belle Plaine by a 41-24 final in Class 3A action in Lakeville.

“We all just cried of happiness,” Chimal said.

Chimal’s touchdowns all came in the second quarter after Belle Plaine jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. He scored on runs of 1, 18 and 8 yards before breaking off a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The last of his four scores put the Titans up 28-21, which stood at halftime.

Belle Plaine lost starting quarterback Luke Narveson to a shoulder injury late in the first half. Narveson had rushing touchdowns of 87 and three yards before the injury.With Narveson on the sideline, the Tigers got a field goal in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 28-24 but didn’t score again.

Tri-City United will play the winner of Pierz and Albany on Friday at Park Center High School.

Tri-City United’s first trip to the football state tournament started with a convincing victory.

The Titans got four touchdowns from running back Aaron Chimal and overcame an early deficit to top Belle Plaine by a 41-24 final in the Class 3A quarterfinal at Lakeville High School.

Belle Plaine jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter on back-to-back drives – and back-to-back plays. Quarterback Luke Narveson sprinted 87 yards for the game’s first score on a 3rd-and-25 for Belle Plaine with 8:10 to play in the first quarter.

Narveson, playing defense, then intercepted the Titans three plays later and ran it to the TCU 1-yard line. Belle Plaine's Marcus Walsh scored from a yard out on the next play.

It was the Aaron Chimal show in the second quarter, as the Tri-City United senior scored all four of the Titans’ first-half touchdowns. The first was a 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by a 15-yard scamper by Chimal one play earlier.

Later in the second, Chimal spun his way to an 18-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 14 with 8:43 to play in the half. But Chimal was just getting warmed up. After a TCU interception brought the ball to the Belle Plaine 1-yard line, Chimal punched it in from a yard out.

After Narveson tied it at 21 with a 3-yard run, Chimal reeled off his best play of the game. Chimal returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards to the end zone, escaping a few Belle Plain defenders on his way to his fourth touchdown. That gave the Titans a 28-21 lead.

Narveson eventually left the game with a left shoulder injury late in the first half and did not return. He watched the second half from the sideline with his letter jacket on while sophomore Carsen Ladd took over at quarterback.

Holding onto a four-point lead, TCU gained some breathing room on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Smisek to tight end Trey Krautkremer to make it a 35-24 Titans lead. An interception of Ladd by Carter Rynda sealed the victory for the Titans.

It’s the second time this year TCU defeated Belle Plaine. The Titans won 25-13 on Sept. 22.

Tri-City United advances to face the winner of Pierz and Albany on Nov. 6 at Park Center High School.

Check back later for more on the game.