PdC Football Wins
Prairie du Chien’s Dylan Yeomans gets into the open field on the opening kickoff which he returned 54 yards to the Aquinas 34-yard line. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Jacob Mallat follows the blocking of Dominic Wright (22) and Eric Nolan (56).
Dylan Yeomans races along the sideline after hauling in what would be a 52-yard pass.
Ethan Swiggum finds a big opening.
Dylan Yeomans looks for running room behind the blocking of Ethan Swiggum (5) and Dominic Wright (22).
A trio of Prairie du Chien defenders close in on the Aquinas ballcarrier.
Dominic Wright takes the hand-off from quarterback Jacob Mallat against visiting La Crosse Aquinas Friday night.
Blackhawks beat Blugolds 33-27 in overtime
By Zach Mara
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks opened up the 2016 Football Season on Friday night at home against the La Crosse Aquinas Blugolds. The game, dominated by offense, went back and forth all game long and the Blackhawks (1-0) won the game 33-27 in overtime.
The Blackhawks received the opening kickoff, and senior Dylan Yeomans returned the kickoff 54 yards, down to the Aquinas 34-yard line. The celebrations were short-lived, however, as the Hawks would fumble on their first play from scrimmage. The Blugolds (0-1) recovered at their 28-yard line. The Blackhawks’ experienced defense forced a three and out and Prairie took over at the PdC 34-yard line, only to fumble the ball back to Aquinas four plays later. The Blugolds needed only one play, a 70-yard touchdown run by senior Sum Gunderson, to score the first 7 points of the game.
The Hawks’ offense put together a four-play, 70-yard drive of their own to tie the game 7-7 on their next possession, highlighted by a 52-yard pass from quarterback Jacob Mallat to Dylan Yeomans to set up the 3-yard TD run by Yeomans.
The defense shut down Aquinas once again, forcing a potential punt. A bad snap on fourth down gave the Hawks the ball at Aquinas’ 33-yard line. Mallat took a QB draw up the middle for a 33-yard score on the first play of the possession. After the good PAT from Cory Check the Hawks led 14-7.
The teams would exchange punts twice and Aquinas put together a seven-play, 79-yard drive, capped by a 45-yard TD pass to tie the game at 14.
The Hawks’ next possession would be ended by a failed fake punt, and the Blugolds took over at the Hawks’ 38-yard line. Two plays later, Aquinas had the lead back 21-14 with 3:00 before halftime. The Hawks marched 75 yards down the field on eight plays to tie the score at 21-21 on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mallat to Drake Coleman with 9 seconds remaining on the clock.
The third quarter saw each team putting together 5-minute drives for touchdowns, the
Hawks scoring on a 46-yard touchdown run by senior Ethan Swiggum. Both teams missed their extra points, and the score was tied 27-27 at the start of the fourth quarter.
The defenses dominated in the fourth quarter; the Blackhawks forced two punts and a turnover on downs, and Aquinas intercepted two passes. The game went to overtime tied 27-27.
The Hawks got the ball first in overtime and started on the 25-yard line. Ethan Swiggum scored his second TD of the game on a 20-yard rush on their second play, but Check’s kick was blocked. The Hawks led 33-27.
Aquinas slowly pushed the ball down to the Hawks’ 6-yard line with a first down. The defense stuffed the Blugolds for two plays, and on third down, Junior Stephen Ronnefeldt squeezed through for a 6-yard sack. The Hawks broke up the fourth down pass attempt to win the game 33-27.
Ethan Swiggum led all rushers with 132 yards and 2 TDs on 14 carries. Dominic Wright ran 15 times for 80 yards. Dylan Yeomans rushed 8 times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Mallat was 6 for 10 in the air for 103 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Yeomans led Hawk receivers with 1 catch for 52 yards. Cory Check caught 2 passes for 23 yards, and Drake Coleman hauled in 1 pass for 14 yards and a touchdown.
The Hawks travel to Darlington on Friday, Aug. 26 to play the Redbirds (1-0). Game time is 7 p.m.
