March 29, 2024

Defense powers Hawks to district win

CORYDON — Defense stoked the fires for Lynnville-Sully’s 28-0 win over host Wayne in opening Class A District 8 play on Friday.

“Our defense played outstanding. They were checked in all night. That’s the best game we’ve played so far this season,” Lynnville-Sully head coach Mike Parkinson said.

The Hawk defense held the Falcons to less than 100 yards of offense — 90 rushing and eight passing.

Lynnville-Sully forced Wayne to punt the ball 10 times in the game.

The Hawks held the Class A leading rusher, junior Chase Keifer to 91 yards on 27 carries. Keifer had more than 1,000 yards rushing and 11 TDs coming into Friday’s game.

“To hold a kid like that to 91 yards on 27 carries is pretty awesome. Our kids made big plays all night,” Parkinson said. “We hurt ourselves offensively several times in the second half against a good team. To be in games through all four quarters, we have stay focused on both sides of the ball. Our defense came through in a big way tonight.”

Evan Squires led the Hawk defense with 10 tackles while Stock recorded eight tackles. Stock and Rylan James each had a quarterback sack. Grant Wehrle had six tackles.

James, Gage Vander Leest and Ty Breeden each recorded five tackles.

Lynnville-Sully did all the scoring and it all came in the first half against the Falcons.

Vander Leest ripped off a 61-yard touchdown run and kicked the extra point at the 11:39 mark of the first quarter. Vander Leest had 140 yards rushing on 21 carries for the Hawks.

Zane Fraker caught the first of two TD passes for the game with 3:03 left in the opening period from Bray Noun Harder. Vander Leest booted another extra point for a 14-0 lead.

“We had a couple of juniors step up. Zane Fraker is one and he played well. He’s one we hadn’t been able to get going in our offense,” Parkinson said. “We’re moving forward. People are going to try to take away Tyson (Vander Linden) on the outside so it’s good to get Zane going.”

With 1:27 remaining in the first quarter, Tyson Vander Linden returned a punt 69 yards for a score. Lynnville-Sully’s lead was 22-0 following a 2-point conversion run by Nate Stock.

In the second quarter, Fraker caught a 21-yard TD pass from Vander Leest. The extra-point kick failed leaving it 28-0.

Lynnville-Sully had 208 yards rushing on 39 carries. Vander Leest and Noun Harder combined to go 5-of-11 passing for 98 yards.

Squires finished with 36 yards rushing on six carries and Stock had 34 yards on seven carries. Fraker had two catches for 79 yards, Stock made an 18-yard reception and Vander Linden had two catches for one yard.

“It’s a good way to start district play and we understand what we have to do in the district to win another district title,” Parkinson said. “Getting back on the winning path was fun.”

The Hawks improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in district play. They host Central Decatur in Class A District 8 action at 7 p.m. Friday in Sully.

Parkinson said Central Decatur’s record (1-4) doesn’t indicate what type of team it is. Central Decatur is 1-0 in district play after winning its first game of the season, 66-12, on Friday against North Mahaska.

“Friday is our homecoming game. Central Decatur is a good football team and they’re going to be hungry but so are our kids,” Parkinson said.

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