JEWELL, Ia. — The South Hamilton Hawks football team returns to the field on Friday Night, as they host the Pocahontas Area Indians in Class 1A, District 2 action at Bill Taylor Field. The Hawks enter at 1-4, while Pocahontas Area enters at 2-3. Friday’s meeting is the 6th all-time between the two programs dating back to 2006, with South Hamilton leading 3-2, but Pocahontas Area winning the 2025 game by a score of 43-36.
Pocahontas Area enters Friday’s game at 2-3, with their 2 wins in non-district play over Sioux Central and Alta Aurelia, with a loss to Lawton-Bronson, then losing their first two district games to Emmetsburg and Manson-Northwest Webster. The Indians offense is led by senior quarterback Coen Hammen, who’s thrown for 700 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 picks, while rushing for 195 yards and 2 scores. Hammen’s favorite target has been junior Xander Small, who has 17 receptions for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns, while tailback Karson Welander has 11 catches for 225 yards and a score, with junior Gabe Halligan adding 6 catches for 161 yards and 2 scores. The Indians leading rusher has been junior Karson Welander, who has 358 yards and 3 touchdowns on 49 carries, while Xander Small has 76 yards on 22 carries. The Indians possess a veteran offensive line, chalked full of veterans such as Adam Marsh, Blake Shimon and Bailey Hoover.
Defensively, the Indians front seven has stood out early in the year. Junior Adam Marsh leads the Pocahontas defense with 48.5 tackles, after being the Indians leading tackler as a freshman and sophomore. Fellow linebacker Xander Small has 37.5 tackles and 2 interceptions, with Karson Welander adding 27 tackles and 2 sacks. The defensive line has been led by sophomore Blake Shimon with 25 tackles, 2 TFL and a sack, with Bailey Hoover adding 21.5 tackles. The defensive backfield has played well, as Gabe Halligan, Coen Hammen, Isaiah Dolan and Brayden Hudson all have interceptions, as Hudson has a unit-high 25.5 tackles.
South Hamilton will look to pick up their first district win, after having their opportunities in Week 5 against East Sac County. The Hawks hope to get leading rusher Wyatt Gelder and Kaden Dean back in the backfield, as the Hawks defense has showed signs of growth last week against the Raiders.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Bill Taylor Field.