Hammersland, Bormann lead Warriors to victory over Tripoli
Owen Hammersland rushed for 320 yards on 23 carries and scored six touchdowns in Central’s 58-31 victory over Tripoli on Sept. 13. (Photos by Bev Hamann)
Central players work together to bring down a Tripoli runner. The defense finished with 12 tackles for a loss.
Griffen Hammersland snags a high snap in the Warrior victory.
By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register
The Central Warriors football team did something Friday night it had been waiting to do for awhile—win.
And win they did, with a stirring second half comeback over the Tripoli Panthers, aided by all-time performances on offense and defense.
Central’s season had gotten off to a rocky start heading into this game, with two straight losses. On Sept. 13, a sluggish start with mental mistakes, preventable penalties and some missed assignments looked like that trend might continue. But as the Warriors emerged for the second half down 23-14, they walked onto the field with a “whole new mentality,” said coach J.W. Downs.
That mentality was led by a rushing game that created holes for the running backs and “paved the way” for Owen Hammersland to rack up 320 yards on 23 carries for six touchdowns, one of which was a 75-yard run to the end zone.
Hammersland averaged 13.9 yards per carry and carried the Warriors—on his shoulders and legs—to a 30-23 lead midway through the third quarter. It was a lead Central never relinquished, but only built upon on the way to a 58-31 victory.
“Hammersland had a phenomenal game on offense. He trusted his blockers and had great patience and vision in the backfield, which ultimately led to 330 all-purpose yards,” Downs said.
Braxton Bormann put in the other standout performance, but on defense, finishing the game with 15.5 total tackles, with seven for a loss. Bormann also carried the ball for 64 yards and one touchdown.
“These two performances helped contribute to the team’s win, as well as the willingness of all the players ready to go in, adjust positions and overall physicality,” Downs said.
Griffen Hammersland was back behind center, going four for eight for 28 yards, while running the ball for another 27 yards and crossing the goal line for a two-point conversion.
The Warriors converted five two-point conversions in all, with Bormann and Owen Hammersland combining for the other four. Jacob Cook also punched the ball in for a one-yard touchdown run.
The defense hounded the Panther offense, playing together and gang tackling for a total of 55.5 tackles, with 12.5 for a loss. Mason Loan finished with 8 tackles, Owen Hammersland 7.5 and Jullian Singleton 6, including a couple for a loss.
Maddux Eglseder recovered a fumble and received three kickoffs for 75 total yards.
“We played fast, physical and together for four quarters. We came together as a team and overcame all the adversity we faced since day one to come out with a team win,” Downs said. “We definitely have to clean some things up with the mental mistake penalties, but we made leaps and bounds in the direction we want this program to be.”
The Warriors will welcome the Turkey Valley Trojans to the Dittmer Sports Complex on Friday, Sept. 20, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
