South Hamilton dominates Eagle Grove in finale, 51-0

A battle of two playoff qualifiers in Class 1A took center stage in Jewell on Friday night, as South Hamilton welcomed in the Eagles of Eagle Grove. South Hamilton had qualified for the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years the previous week, while Eagle Grove had clinched a playoff berth for the first time in a decade the previous week as well.

South Hamilton took their first offensive drive of the game and rode behind fullback Austin Busch, who would punch in a 1-yard touchdown to put South Hamilton up 8-0. Following an Eagle Grove punt, the Hawks drove the field again, again scoring on an Austin Busch touchdown to put South Hamilton up 16-0. Following yet another Eagle Grove punt, the Hawks marched the field again, this time with Landon Skartvedt getting in on the action, scoring from 26 yards out to put South Hamilton up 24-0. South Hamilton would score again before half, after a Brent Greenfield strip sack, on a short touchdown run by Preston Van De Pol to give the Hawks a 30-0 halftime lead.

The Hawks would waste no time adding to their lead in the 2nd half, as Landon Skartvedt took the opening play of the 3rd quarter 77 yards for a touchdown, to put South Hamilton up 37-0. Eagle Grove would push deep into Hawk territory on the ensuing drive, but an Eagles fumble was scooper up by Brent Greenfield, who proceeded to return it 85 yards for a touchdown to put South Hamilton up 44-0. Quarterback Tjerdan Johnson punched in the final touchdown from 1-yard out to give South Hamilton a 51-0 win.

With the win, South Hamilton clinched the 3-seed out of Class 1A, District 2 and will travel to Guthrie Center to face Class 1A #7 AC/GC on Friday. Eagle Grove claims the 4 seed from District 2, and will face Class 1A #4 Dike-New Hartford on Friday.