March 28, 2024

Hawks stay in the hunt for playoff spot

NEW SHARON — Controlling the line of scrimmage, Lynnville-Sully’s Hawks run all over host North Mahaska Friday night in Class A, District 6 play. The Hawks had 386 yards on the ground in their 56-6 win over the Warhawks.

With the victory, the Hawks move to 3-2 in district play and 3-4 overall. Lynnville-Sully is sitting in the fourth spot in District 6 and the top four teams move into the playoffs. The Hawks have two district games remaining.

The Hawks host English Valleys this coming Friday in Sully.

Caden Doll, senior running back and linebacker, averaged 33 yards a carry on Friday against North Mahaska. Doll carried the football seven times, amassed 231 yards and scored four touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a 97-yard run.

“When you have a guy getting those numbers, it means the guys up front are doing a great job. Caden ran the ball well and he got through the holes and turned on the after-burners,” said Mike Parkinson, Hawk head coach.

Along the offensive line for Lynnville-Sully are Kyle Van Dyke, Kyle Hamilton,  Noah Zylstra, Blake Wehrle and Zach Kaldenberg. Parkinson said Luke Rozendaal and Payton Scandridge rotate in along the line plus tight end Darin Hofer is a key element in the Hawks’ blocking scheme.

“It was great to see him catch a pass for a 65-yard touchdown play tonight,” Parkinson said.

Lynnville-Sully scored on its first play from scrimmage in the game. It happened again on its second possession.

“We had a quick start then in the second quarter, we kind of backed off and settled a bit,” Parkinson said. “At halftime, leading 21-6, we talked about what kind of team we wanted to be. Did we want to be a team that gives ourselves the opportunity to be back in the playoffs or just settle? The guys came out and proved they want to move forward.”

The Hawks scored 35 points in the second half and did not give up any scores. Parkinson said there was a total team effort all the way around, especially on defense. He said the Hawks were able to get a lot of young kids in to play in the second half.

Bailee Samson had a 53-yard touchdown run, Meliek Meyer had a 59-yard run to the end zone and Daniel Zimmerman scored on a one-yard plunge. Hofer had the touchdown pass from Sage Ehresman, who was 3-of-6 passing for 69 yards.

Noah Engle kicked six extra points and Samson had a two-point conversion run.

T.J. Cunningham had an interception for the Hawk defense. Samson racked up two quarterback sacks while Doll led the team in total tackles.