The South Hamilton Hawks football team opens up playoff action at Bill Taylor Field on Friday night against the Ridge View Raptors from Class 1A, District 1. The Hawks enter Friday with a 7-1 record and an unblemished 5-0 district record, while the Raptors enter at 4-4 and a 2-3 record in district play.
Friday’s meeting is the first-ever between the two schools, although the South Hamilton did play the former Galva-Holstein back in 2003 (14-0 loss), but the Raptors have qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row, after last qualifying back in 2015. The Raptors leader offensively has been senior quarterback Jake Breyfogle, who’s thrown for nearly 500 yards and 4 touchdowns, while rushing for another 200 yards and 5 touchdowns, albeit Breyfogle has thrown 10 interceptions on the season. Senior Kolton Luscombe has been the Raptors top running back, rushing for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns, with Austin Pyle adding 116 more yards and a touchdown. Breyfogle’s favorite target has been senior Tracin Price, who’s caught 23 balls for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season.
Defensively, the Raptors defense has played a huge role in their success in 2022, with their back seven showing to be exceptional at times. Tracin Price leads the team in tackles with 41, while also adding a sack, 4 tackles for loss and a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Linebacker Kolton Luscombe has been the big playmaker defensively, with 31.5 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, while also recovering 2 fumbles. In the secondary, Jake Breyfogle and Gavin Vohs leads the team in interceptions with 2 a piece, as Breyfogle has a pick six on the season. Defensive end Cayden Clausen anchors the defensive line with 31 tackles, with 2 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
Kickoff is slated from Bill Taylor Field in Jewell at 7 PM on Friday Night.