Hawks’ win gives them a shot at district title

The Hawks’ latest victim was English Valleys Friday night, which resulted in a 49-0 drubbing in North English. It was the same score L-S won by last week, and made for its fourth straight shutout. The Hawks have won those four games by a combined tally of 229-0. They’ve won five straight games overall after a 1-2 start.

It was another big night for L-S junior running back Bailee Samson, who recorded his fifth-straight game with at least 100 yards rushing, going for 163 and two touchdowns on just six carries. One of them was an 86-yard score. He’s now averaging 11.3 yards per carry for the season, and is 29 yards shy of 1,000.

Fellow junior running back Caden Doll had 110 yards and two TDs on eight carries. Senior quarterback Cale Van Wyk threw for 85 yards and two scores — one each to junior TJ Cunningham and senior Nathan Russell. Van Wyk also ran in a 16-yard TD.

The victory makes L-S 6-2 on the season and 5-1 in Class A District 6, which is set up for a wild finish as its four playoff teams are already determined — all with 5-1 district records. They all play each other next week, including the Hawks hosting Montezuma. With a win and a Pekin loss Friday night, L-S would win the district title.