South Hamilton came into Friday night with a chance to clinch it’s 4th postseason appearance in 5 years as they hosted the Cougars of Manson-Northwest Webster. The Hawks came into Friday night with a 6-2 all-time series lead against the Cougars, winning their previous matchup in 2019, 36-6.
The defenses ruled the 1st quarter, as neither teams was able to punch through for a score. It was the Hawks that broke the scoreless tie with an Austin Busch touchdown run, to put South Hamilton up 8-0 after the two-point conversion. The Cougars would answer back towards the end of the 1st half, to make the score 8-8. Cory Klemp’s Hawks then went to the air, as Tjerdan Johnson found Nic Flaugh for a 52-yard touchdown to put the Hawks up 16-8. The Cougars would answer again right before halftime, to set the score at 16-14.
South Hamilton’s defense would make the first big play of the 2nd half, as Chayton Ewurs would intercept a Shawn Kenyon pass and return it 20 yards. Shortly thereafter, Austin Busch punched in the 2nd of 4 touchdowns on the night, to put the Hawks up 22-14. Manson-Northwest Webster responded by launching another bomb for a touchdown, to bring the score to 22-20. The Hawks went right back to Austin Busch, who punched in another short TD to put South Hamilton up 30-20. Busch would score his 4th TD of the night to put the Hawks up 36-20. Manson-Northwest Webster would add a late touchdown, but it was too little, too late as the Hawks walked away with a 36-28 victory and a playoff berth.
Next action for South Hamilton will be on Friday, as they host Eagle Grove in the regular season finale.