Blackhawks blank Redhawks to advance in playoffs
By Zach Mara
On Friday night, the #2 Prairie du Chien Blackhawks traveled to Galesville to take on the #1 Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Redhawks in Level 3 of the 2019 WIAA Division 5 playoffs. The Blackhawks knew entering the game that the keys to victory would be stopping G-E-T RBs Bryce Burns and Luke Vance and finding ways to move the ball consistently on a cold, windy night. The Hawks were able to do just that, shutting down the Redhawks’ running game early while jumping out to a 10-0 halftime lead. The defenses would prove to dominate the second half, and the Blackhawks (11-1) held on to defeat the Redhawks (10-2) 10-0 in a high-intensity Level 3 playoff game.
G-E-T took the opening possession of the game and did what they’re known for, lining up in their run-dominant double-wing, double-tight formation. The Hawks, having prepared well for the match-up, were able to hold the Redhawk rushers to minimal gains on the drive that would end up stalling on the PdC 44-yard line. PdC took over for their first possession of the game with 4:14 remaining in the opening quarter. Nine plays later, Tyler Hannah barrelled up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown run. Derek Grondin added the PAT, and the Hawks had a 7-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
After forcing a 3-and-out on G-E-T’s ensuing possession, the Blackhawks took over on their own 16-yard line. Thirteen plays later, the Hawks elected to try a 25-yard field goal, which Grondin executed perfectly to extend the lead to 10-0 with 3 minutes remaining in the opening half. The second quarter would come to a close after two huge defensive plays from Dylan Coleman: an interception in PdC territory with a minute to go followed by a deflection of the Red Hawks’ desperation pass to end the half.
Neither team was able to string together a successful drive on their first third-quarter possession, as PdC turned the ball over on downs and then forced another G-E-T 3-and-out. With 6 minutes remaining in the quarter, the Hawks took over on the Redhawk 41-yard line, looking to pad the lead. After a series of penalties and a controversial “incomplete” call on a potential TD pass to Ben Riter, the Hawks turned the ball back over to G-E-T on downs at the 20-yard line.
The fourth quarter started with another statement possession from the PdC defense, as they got the ball back on downs in G-E-T territory. Unfortunately, the drive only went backwards for the Hawks on another holding call, and they were forced to punt for the third time in the game. After a fumble from each team, G-E-T took over on their own 7-yard line with just over 7 minutes remaining in the game. In a drive that used 5 ½ minutes, the Redhawks drove 81 yards on 15 plays before stalling out at the PdC 12-yard line. Four plays later, Dylan Coleman walked the Blackhawks up to the line in victory formation to finalize the 10-0 Level 3 victory.
Traeton Saint led PdC rushers with 16 carries for 106 yards. QB Dylan Coleman ran the ball 11 times for 81 yards, and Tyler Hannah carried the ball 8 times for 27 yards and a TD. Coleman was 5-for-12 in the air for 48 yards, and Ben Riter led the receivers, catching 3 passes for 31 yards. The Hawks’ defense was led by Tyler Hannah, who recorded 13 tackles in the game. Ben Riter added 12 tackles, and Dylan Coleman had 4 tackles, a fumble recovery, and one interception.
The Blackhawks will travel to McFarland on Friday night to take on the Lake Country Lutheran Lightning (11-1) in Level 4 of the 2019 WIAA Division 5 playoffs. This state semifinal game starts at 7 p.m.