Warriors run over West Central 74-28
A block from teammate Mason Loan helped Central runner Owen Hammersland avoid a West Central defender in the Warriors’ 74-28 season opening win on Aug. 28. Hammersland led the Warriors with 216 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Braxton Bormann (left) and Jake Hertrampf team up to tackle a West Central runner in the Warrior victory.
Flanked by Braxton Bormann and Owen Hammersland, Central quarterback Griffen Hammersland looks to make a pass.
Garett Burns faces off against a West Central player in last week's Warrior victory.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
A combined 414 yards of offense propelled Central to a convincing 74-28 win over West Central in the Aug. 28 football season opener in Elkader.
“Overall, we played a great game for week one of the season. We executed on all sides of the ball, which helped lead us to a win,” said Central head coach J.W. Downs. “Our run game was strong, due to the phenomenal performance by our offensive line. We were also able to see some success through the air last week with Griffen Hammersland and Jake Hertrampf.”
The teams traded touchdowns in the opening quarter, with the Warriors clinging to a 16-14 lead as the second quarter rolled around. But they left the Blue Devils in the dust after that, scoring four more touchdowns before halftime to go up 46-14. Two of the touchdowns came on connections from quarterback Hammersland to receiver Hertrampf, while Braxton Bormann scored one touchdown and Owen Hammersland one of his three on the night.
West Central reached the end zone twice in the third quarter, but Central continued to score as well, putting an additional 28 points on the board the second half. Mason Loan was responsible for three of the touchdowns, including returning one kickoff and one punt all the way to the house in successive possessions.
The Warrior ground game amassed 331 rushing yards, topped by Owen Hammersland’s 216 on 11 carries. Loan had 35 yards on four touches, while Griffen Hammersland netted 41 yards on eight attempts. The sophomore QB was also 4-5 passing for 78 yards. Hertrampf was the top target, with 58 yards on two catches, while Owen Hammersland caught a pair of passes for 20 yards.
“Offensively, Owen Hammersland had a great game running the football. Our offensive line and tight ends helped make that happen by controlling the line of scrimmage. Braden Taylor, Max Fettkether and Garrett Burns along with Jake Hertrampf and Zane Embretson at tight end dominated up front, helping make holes for our running backs to run through,” Downs said. “Mason Loan also had a big game on special teams with some electric TD runs.”
West Central quarterback Brody Wolff rattled off four of seven passes for 95 yards against the Central defense. The Blue Devils had 182 yards on the ground, led by Milton Cushion’s 161.
Downs noted senior Bormann’s effort on the defensive side of the ball, with 11.5 tackles and a sack. Owen Hammersland recorded 7 total tackles and Burns 6, including a tackle for a loss. Griffen Hammersland, Loan and Taylor each had 5 total tackles.
Downs also credited the Central coaching staff—Mitch Seitz, Josh Embretson, Jamie Hammersland, Blake Rodenberg and Peter Thompson—for all they have dedicated to the program.
“I also want to thank everyone who helped play a part in our success, from the field crew to the chain gang. It takes a village to have a successful program, and I believe we have a pretty great one,” Downs said. “Lastly, I want to thank all the great Central fans that attended last Thursday’s game. It may not be a Friday night under the lights, but our fans help bring the energy necessary for our vibrant atmosphere. I hope that we can build off that for this Thursday’s game.”
Although the win was a great way to start the season, Downs said the Warriors won’t get complacent.
“We will learn from our mistakes, build off our success and get back to work,” he shared.
Next up for the Warriors is Central City on Thursday, Sept. 4. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. in Elkader.
