JEWELL, Ia. — The South Hamilton Hawks football team returns to the field on Friday night, as they host the East Sac County Raiders in Class 1A, District 2 action for homecoming night at Bill Taylor Field in Jewell. South Hamilton enters with a record of 1-3, while East Sac County enters at 4-0 and ranked #10 in Class 1A. Friday’s meeting is the 2nd all-time between the two programs, with East Sac winning the 2025 meeting by a score of 40-30.
East Sac has emerged as a surprise to start the 2026 meeting, with the Raiders 4-0 with victories over IKM-Manning, Alta-Aurelia, MVAOCOU and in their district opener over Manson-Northwest Webster. Quarterback Weston Julin has directed the East Sac offense with 259 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for another 305 yards and 4 scores. Senior tailback Carson Schmitt has been Julin’s top receiver with 7 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 469 yards and 6 touchdowns. Fellow back Dawson Allen and sophomore Beckem Kluver have been key pieces in the passing game as well. The Raiders do possess a veteran offensive line, led by the likes of seniors Gabe King, Cal McCollough, Brooks Ludwig and Reef Lankford.
Defensively, the Raiders linebacking core is the heartbeat of the unit, with senior Gabe King leading the defense with 26.5 tackles, 6 TFL and 2 sacks, while senior Dawson Allen has 12 tackles and a sack, with Cain Gullett adding 11.5 tackles. East Sac’s secondary has been one of the most productive in Class 1A, as senior Zach Jacobsen is one of the state’s leaders in interceptions with 4 and a touchdown, while Beckem Kluver and Weston Julin each have 2 picks, as Julin has a pick six. Carson Schmitt leads the unit with 23.5 tackles and 3 TFL. Cal McCollough leads the Raiders defensive line with 12 tackles and a TFL, while Brooks Ludwig and Reef Lankford have each recorded TFL as well.
South Hamilton will look to rebound after a tough district-opening loss to South Central Calhoun in Week 4, with an emphasis on getting the Hawks wishbone attacking going early, after South Hamilton had just 29 yards rushing in the first half a week ago. The Hawks defense will need to be sharp against the balanced Raiders offense and force them to throw the ball.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Bill Taylor Field.