March 28, 2024

Hawks stay unbeaten with big win over Wolves

WINFIELD — The last time Lynnville-Sully played on the Winfield-Mount Union football field the two teams went down to the wire in a Class A playoff game with the Hawks pulling out a 29-28 win on the road via a last-second field goal.

For the past two seasons, the Hawks and the Wolves have been in the same district and the games have been lopsided in the Hawks’ favor. On Friday, the 10th-ranked Hawks blasted their hosts, 48-0, in Class A District 6 play.

The Hawks improved to 5-0 overall and more importantly to 3-0 in district action. With the victory, the Hawks set up a district showdown of undefeated teams.

“Our guys played really well, especially on defense. We had two defensive touchdowns,” Hawk head coach Mike Parkinson said. “Our varsity guys responded with a strong showing in the first half, and we were able to get our junior varsity guys playing time in the second half.”

Seventh-ranked Pekin defeated Cardinal, 56-6, Friday to go to 3-0 in district play and 6-0 overall. Lynnville-Sully hosts Pekin at 7 p.m. this Friday in Sully.

“We’re excited about Friday’s game with Pekin. They are a good football team with decent athletes. We’re ready to play a big game. It’s homecoming for us so it’s even bigger,” Parkinson said. “It’s going to be a great game to be a part of and watch. Anyone whose a fan of football will want to be here for the game.”

Lynnville-Sully dominated Winfield-Mount Union to lead 48-0 by the 4:49 mark of the second quarter. The rest of the game was played under a running clock.

Lynnville-Sully opened the scoring on a defensive play as Jesse Van Wyk snatched a Winfield-Mount Union pass out of the air and returned it 69 yards for the TD. Evan Squires punched over the goal line for a two-point conversion.

Squires was back in the end zone 40 seconds later on a 4-yard run. Tyson Vander Linden caught a pass from Elijah Collins that covered 51 yards for the Hawks’ third score of the night. With 28 seconds left in the first quarter, Gage Vander Leest dashed 46 yards for a score.

“Elijah threw an interception right off the bat, but then got things squared away throwing it well. Offensively, we had our running game going and spread the ball around to all of our guys,” Parkinson said. “We had short fields to work with and took advantage of it.”

Collins connected with Drake Ehresman on a 15-yard TD pass play in the second period. Squires had a 14-yard TD run then Vander Leest returned an interception 43 yards for the final TD of the night.

Brevin Hansen kicked six extra points for the Hawks and caught two passes for five yards. Hansen led the defensive charge with four tackles. Tanner Foster had three tackles and a quarterback sack.

The Hawk defense held the Wolves to 76 yards of total offense. Lynnville-Sully only needed 232 yards of offensive production to overpower the Wolves. The Hawks had 154 yards on the ground and 78 yards through the air.

“Our guys flew to the football on defense. We just played so well throughout the game,” Parkinson said.

Collins was 3-for-4 for 71 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. Kinnick McFarland was 1-of-4 passing for seven yards to Kodie Waggoner.

Vander Leest ran for 57 yards on three carries and Squires had 18 yards on two carries. Nate Stock had three carries for 10 yards and Collins had one rush for 19 yards. Sage Zylstra carried the ball once for 11 yards and Tyson Vander Linden had one carry for 10 yards.

McFarland had 18 yards on four carries. Ethan Wyma gained 20 yards on five carries.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com