When the football schedule comes out, you quickly check to find the Owen-Withee vs Thorp game and circle it on the calendar. The game represents the long standing rivalry game, the “Can” game, and the game typically has a huge impact for the Conference and Play-off pictures. This year was no different, as the two teams were ranked in the top five in eight-man football in the State and both teams were sporting perfect 3-0 records entering the contest.

The Hawks won the toss and took the football looking to put the pressure on Thorp’s defense to make a stop and let the offense set a tone for the game. That tone was set on the second play from scrimmage when Mason Gay broke free down the sideline for a 44-yard scamper untouched to the endzone. The PAT came up short leaving the score 6-0 Hawks. A blocked punt, a fourth down stop, and an interception led to three more Blackhawk scores in the first quarter and a 30-0 Blackhawk lead after one.

The Blackhawk defense continued to shut the door on Thorp’s passing game creating two more turnovers and letting the Blackhawk offense do its thing in the second quarter. Once again the offensive line created some big holes and the inside/outside running of Poehler and Gay was too much for the Cardinal defense, with Gay scoring twice on runs of 73 yards and 19 yards. A touchdown pass from Dominic Sherwood to Tim Stock with no time left on the clock ended the first half scoring giving the Hawks a 52-0 lead at the half.

The second half saw the Hawks tack on one more score in the third quarter on a 9 yard run by Sully Poehler making the score 59-0 after Winston Poehler added the point after. The Varsity then gave way to the JV players in the third and fourth quarters allowing them to gain some valuable Varsity experience and a taste of what it is like to play in the big rivalry game.

This week is Homecoming Week for the Hawks as they will host Alma Center Lincoln for the Homecoming game on Friday evening. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m. Come out and be a part of the Homecoming spirit!