JEWELL — The South Hamilton Hawks and Eagle Grove Eagles football teams returned to action on Friday night, as the 2 area teams played one another in a Week 9 matchup at Bill Taylor Field in Jewell. South Hamilton entered with a record of 0-8, while Eagle Grove entered at 2-6.
Eagle Grove would take the ball first and march down the field, capping the drive with a 29-yard touchdown run by Leelan Spencer as the Eagles took an early 6-0 lead. South Hamilton punted on their ensuing drive as the Eagles marched back down the field and scored on a 7-yard touchdown run from Trenton Robinson, as the Eagles took a 14-0 lead after the 2-point conversion. Eagle Grove would then add a 6-yard touchdown run by Leelan Spencer as the Eagles took a 20-0 lead halfway through the 2nd quarter. South Hamilton would score before the half on a 9-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Gelder as the Hawks trailed 20-6 at the halftime break.
South Hamilton would take the football out of the halftime break, as the Hawks went down the field and scored on a Garrett Johnson quarterback sneak as the Hawks cut the deficit to 20-13. Eagle Grove would march down and have a chance to extend their lead, but penalties would doom the Eagles as South Hamilton got the football back and march the field as Wyatt Gelder scored on a 27-yard touchdown run and converted the 2-point conversion, as the Hawks took a 21-20 lead. Eagle Grove would get the ball back with a chance to respond, but a fumble would end Eagle Grove’s hopes as South Hamilton hung on for a 21-20 win.
Wyatt Gelder finished his sophomore season strong, rushing for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns on 21 carries, while Jose Babcock added 17 carries for 95 yards. Ben Swenson would have a monster game up front, tallying a team-high 8.5 tackles, with a TFL and a sack, while Brody Harris had 6.5 tackles and a TFL in his final career game.
Trenton Robinson led the Eagles with 128 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Leelan Spencer added 52 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 carries. Adrian Whipple was 3-for-8 for 65 yards, with all 3 completions to Gavin Pedersen. Hayden Schafer led the Eagles defense with 11 tackles in his final game in an Eagles uniform.
South Hamilton ends their season with a record of 1-8, while Eagle Grove ends their season with a record of 2-7.