Staying in the title hunt

Early in the Class A District 1 matchup between Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Akron-Westfield on Oct. 2, it appeared whichever team had the ball last would win. Every time H-M-S scored in the first quarter, Akron-Westfield would answer.

But that scenario came to an end as the Hawk offense scored twice before halftime, the defense blanked A-W the rest of the game, and both units scored in the fourth quarter to wrap up a 50-18 win at Peterson Field.

The Westerners matched each Hawk touchdown in the first quarter but could not keep up as H-M-S converted their 2-point conversions while the Westerners failed twice and had an extra point attempt blocked.

Both quarterbacks played big roles in the early scoring, but took different approaches to getting the ball into the end zone.

Hawk QB Kooper Ebel scored on runs of one, 49 and 62 yards in the first quarter.

"Every time we touched the ball we were scoring touchdowns," said Hawk coach Tyler Horkey.

On A-W's side, Cade Walkingstick threw two scoring passes to Lane Kenny and another to Jacob Hankins.

But just nine seconds after the Westerners' third score, H-M-S extended its lead to 30-18 as Travis Kamradt scored on a 60-yard run.

Kamradt then intercepted a pass, setting H-M-S up in A-W territory. The Hawks ground out an 11-play drive that ended with Connor Dodd scoring on a 15-yard run with 18 seconds left in the half.

"The first two quarters were long," Horkey admitted. "Defensively we needed time to get comfortable with what they were doing."

In the third quarter, the defense forced a three-and-out and then a turnover with an interception by Dodd. Meanwhile the offense put together a seven-minute drive to keep the ball away from the Westerners.

"We didn't score, but we ran 12 plays and drove 80 yards," Horkey said. "That's how our offense is built."

The teams traded possessions early in the fourth quarter. H-M-S committed its second turnover late in the game, but the defense atoned for it with Dodd's interception return with 34 seconds to play.

Both teams ran 59 offensive plays, but H-M-S had a big advantage in rushing yards (378-69) while A-W led in passing (239-72).

Rushing leaders were Kamradt, 25-165; Ebel, 15-164; Dodd, 6-34; and Noah Adams, 1-13. Inside runs were successful as A-W's defense keyed on attempts to the outside.

"You saw how the triple option works," Horkey said. "We were countering what they were trying to take away from us."

Ebel completed one pass to Dodd for 42 yards and one to Doyle for 30.

Leading tacklers (total) were: Lance Berends, 7.0 (two for loss); Mason Brinkman, 6.5; Ebel, 6.0 (one for loss); Kamradt, 6.0; Adams, 4.0; Landon Elwood, 3.0; Gabe Bronstad, 2.5; and Dodd, 2.0.

• Next up: vs. Lawton-Bronson

H-M-S (4-2, 3-1) hosts Lawton-Bronson (4-1, 3-0) Friday night for the final game of the regular season. The outcome will help determine the district champion as well as seeding for the playoffs that begin Oct. 16. Lawton-Bronson is 3-0 in district play and H-M-S is tied with South O'Brien in second place.

H-M-S's pass defense will be tested again. Nearly two-thirds of Lawton-Bronson's yardage has come through the air.

"They are a good football team and have great athletes," Horkey said. "Their quarterback has a great arm and can run around a little bit. We have to step up our game, for sure."

It's also Homecoming week, but Horkey isn't overly concerned about players being distracted as they prepare for the Eagles.

"It's a fun week," he said. "But the kids know that when they step on the practice field they have a job to do."