Photo Courtesy of Jeff Yoder
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk football team finishes the regular season tonight with a road trip to Albia to match up with the Blue Demons on their Senior Night. The Golden Hawks come into the game with a 4-3 overall record, on a four-game winning streak, 4-0 champions of Class 2A District 5, clinching their first district title since 2008 last week in a 48-14 win over Central Lee in Wellman. The Golden Hawks lead 48-0 before Central Lee scored twice against the Mid-Prairie reserves late. The Golden Hawks won the total yards battle 457-255 and 135 to one through the air while putting up more than 300 yards rushing. They won turnovers 4-2. Brady Weber was eight 11 throwing for 129 yards and a touchdown to Cobi Hershberger. Hudson Ehrenfelt had 220 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries. Blake Swart caught four balls for 69 yards and had two interceptions on defense. Conner Wiles had a scoop and score defensively and Keegan Bauwens added a pick. Mid-Prairie enters tonight’s game ranked No. 11 in Class 2A, scoring 30 points per game and giving up 16 on 324 yards per night 177 through the air. This year, Weber is 84 of 131 in total for 1,228 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Ehrenfelt has 1171 all-purpose yards on 160 touches and 21 total touchdowns. Swart has 17 catches for 228 yards. Ace Peck, Hershberger and Ehrenfelt each have two scoring grabs. Kaden Kos leads the defense with 71 total tackles, 15 for loss. Seven different Golden Hawks have a takeaway. The Hawks rank in the top 10 of 2A in 15 different team and individual categories.
Albia is a matching 4-3 this year but 2-2 in district after a lopsided 49-7 loss to West Burlington Notre Dame last week. The Blue Demons trailed 27-0 at half, and gave up more than 500 total yards, 487 on the ground. Luke Wynn was 10 of 18 passing for 60 yards. Spencer Maddison had five carries for 16 yards and Conner Pickerell led on defense with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. This year, Albia scores 17 and gives up 19 per game on 246 yards of offense, 144 through the air. Individually, Wynn leads at 89 of 137 throwing for 978 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also the leader on the ground with 118 carries for 451 yards and eight more scores. Pickerell is the leading pass catcher with 22 for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper Bradley has 62 tackles, 14 for loss and 11 different Blue Demons have a takeaway. Albia is ranked in the top 10 of 2A in 11 different categories. This week, Golden Hawk head coach Daren Lambert talked about challenge Albia presents.
Lambert says, “We clinched district and we recognized that last week with some excitement. It’s a credit to the hard work the kids have put in first and foremost. The dedication they’ve shown. It’s a testament to everyone in the program, there’s a lot of time and effort that goes into this from the kids, to some great assistant coaches, starting at the YSF level. We’re proud of that accomplishment, but we’re not done yet. The kids understand that message and have stayed focused on their attention to detail, doing their job. Albia has had some weeks where they have put up some numbers, and other weeks where they have struggled to find the end zone. This time of year, everyone is fighting for play spots and seeding. We know we are going to get their best shot. They have a good quarterback and have surrounded him with athletes and some big guys up front. Our guys have bought into the game plan this week and they’re ready.”
Mid-Prairie is into the playoffs with a one seed as district champion. Albia is likely in, but can remove all doubt with a win. The Hawks are 6-6 all-time against the Blue Demons, including a 42-22 win in Wellman a season ago. You can hear all of the action live tonight on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Golden Hawk Football Pregame Show at 7p.m. And Yotty’s Incorporated kickoff at 7:30 from Albia High School.