Big plays go the Jays' way

Gehlen Catholic's first play from scrimmage was a 79-yard scoring run, setting the tone for a 47-7 win over Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Oct. 18 at LeMars.

The champions of Class A District 1 rolled up 349 yards on the ground and added 74 through the air.

Two possessions after Kale Pearson scored the opening touchdown, the Jays reached the end zone again on a 59-yard run by Cole McCarty late in the first quarter.

H-M-S responded with a methodical 14-play drive that ended with a two-yard run by Jack Mastbergen. Mattis Octmann kicked the PAT.

The Jays dominated the final nine minutes of the first half. Pearson scored on an eight-yard run, a 34-yard reception following a fumble recovery, and a 19-yard run.

Despite the 33-7 deficit at half time, Hawk coach Jeremiah Delzer found some positives.

"Our defense played really lights out, especially in the first half. There were a couple of big plays because we missed tackles and we slightly missed our assignment and things like that," he said. "When you play a really good team with really good athletes, they make you pay."

Gehlen Catholic recovered an onside kick to begin the second half but could not take advantage, as Alex Billings recovered a fumble deep in Hawk territory. H-M-S then put together a long drive but came up short on fourth down in Jays' territory.

After scoring on a one-yard run by McCarty, the Jays concluded the scoring late in the third quarter with a 66-yard punt return by Pearson.

Another long Hawk drive was stopped short and the Jays ran out the final five minutes.

"I think we probably played one of our better defensive games technique-wise. Now it's about the finish," Delzer noted. "Offensively we can't turn the ball over and we've got to convert when we get one-on-one. It's that simple."

Leading the defense were James Gellerman and Billings with four tackles each. Mastbergen, Blake Meendering, Mykle Meyers and Isaac Schierholz were credited with three tackles.

Gellerman and Mastbergen each rushed for 56 yards, but were limited to 3.3 and 2.4 yards per carry by the Jays' physical defensive front. Slayton McCarter gained 14 yards on a reverse and Hunter Daggett gained 10 yards on two carries.

Gellerman also had two pass receptions for 47 yards and McCarter had one for 46. Jayden Leth, Jackson Vogt and Schierholz each had one reception for a total of 11 yards.

• Next up: at West Hancock

In Class A, the Top 4 teams qualify for the playoffs. As the fourth-place team in District 1, H-M-S travels to Britt on Friday to take on District 2 champion West Hancock (8-0).

"West Hancock is a super physical team. We'll have to come out with a good game plan," Delzer acknowledged.

Preparation for the game will be similar to that of a regular season matchup.

"The only difference is the stakes. There's nothing to lose because everybody's 0-0," Delzer noted. "We told our guys we've got to be ready to roll because nobody's record matters on Friday and anyone can do anything."