LAKE CITY, Ia. — The South Hamilton Hawks football team returns to the field on Friday evening, as they make the trip west on Highway 175 to take on the South Central Calhoun Titans in their Class 1A, District 2 opener at South Central Calhoun High School. South Hamilton enters at 1-2, while South Central Calhoun enters at 3-0, as the Titans lead the all-time series 10-1, with SCC winning the 2025 meeting between the two schools by a score of 35-14.
South Central Calhoun is off to their first 3-0 start since 2023, as the Titans won their opener over Earlham, before holding off Ridge View in their home opener, and shutting out IKM-Manning on the road in Week 3. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Titans offense, as starting quarterback Cade Higgins and backup Luke Patterson both went down in the Titans opener at Earlham. Junior John Patterson took the reigns in the win over IKM-Manning, and is expected to start against South Hamilton, but the Titans at heart are a physical and punishing attack offensively. Senior Hayden Stickrod leads SCC with 231 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground, as junior Cooper Nattress has run for 228 yards and 2 scores, with Brayden Werneburg has added 111 yards and 3 scores. The Titans offensive line is led by a big and physical group, headlined by 6-4, 305 lbs junior Sam Hawkins and 6-3, 270 lbs sophomore Lane Anderson.
Defensively, it’s been a stout unit from Bryan Case’s crew, as the Titans defensive line is chalked full of playmakers that includes senior Evan Myers, who has 6 TFL and 4 sacks, Cooper Nattress, with 10.5 tackles and 3.5 TFL and junior Trendon Daniel, who has 11 tackles and 2.5 TFL. The linebacking core is full of self-starters, including leading tacklers Coltley Timmerman and Hayden Stickrod, who’ve combined for nearly 34 tackles on the year. Tucker Berner leads the Titans defensive backfield with 15.5 tackles and South Central Calhoun’s lone interception on the year.
LISTEN: South Central Calhoun football coach Bryan Case previews South Hamilton
South Hamilton will look to start district play off on the right foot after their 54-0 loss to a stout Southeast Valley team in Week 3. The Hawks look to get two-way anchor Ben Swenson back on the offensive and defensive line, as the Hawks wishbone attack will need to be precise in a game where possessions could be at a premium.
LISTEN: South Hamilton football coach Cole Billerbeck previews South Central Calhoun
Kickoff is slated for 5 PM on Friday evening from South Central Calhoun High School, and can be heard on 95.7 KQWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.