Photos Courtesy of Dain Jeppson
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk football team took a big step toward a district title Friday night, scoring a 24-8 road win at Archer Field over the Mediapolis Bulldogs. The Golden Hawks saw success early, but no points, when a 16 play drive fizzled inside the ten. Their next possession would end in the end zone when they marched 43 yards on eight snaps with Hudson Ehrenfelt, the Class 2A leader in rushing scores, adding to his total, with a one yard dive to make it 6-0 Mid-Prairie. Next defensive series, the Golden Hawks recovered their first of three fumbles on the night, when Conner Wiles jumped on a loose ball setting them up near mid-field. Eight plays later Brady Weber went up top on a deep slant to find Ace Peck, on a 39 yard strike to double the lead at 12-0. Cyris Christner made it two takeaways for the Golden Hawks with his fumble recovery next series, Mid-Prairie would give it back on their first turnover the of the year, a Gannon Gunn interception inside the 20, to halt the threat. A Peyton Fox fumble recovery led to more points before half, when Mid-Prairie completed a four play 26 yard drive with Ehrenfelt’s second scoring run of the day to take an 18-0 lead to break. After half, the Hawks forced a quick three and out before mounting a five play, 44 yard scoring drive, finished with an Ehrenfelt 10-yard scamper, his third scoring run of the night, to stretch the lead to 24-0. That’s where things stood going to the fourth before the Bulldogs punched in a garbage time touchdown. Following the win, the Golden Hawks of the game, Weber, Wiles and Landon Kos joined the KCII locker room show to talk about the victory.
Wiles said, “We just flew to the ball on defense. We stood up their runners and punched at the ball. We read our keys well and played well. We double-teamed and got a good push up front on the first line then worked up to linebackers. We definitely finished strong tonight. I liked all of the turnovers we forced on defense.”
Kos continued, “Gang tackling was great. If someone is holding the runner up, go for the ball and that’s what we did forcing turnovers. I loved our energy overall. Everyone was getting so hyped because they knew this was a big win. It puts a smile on my face!”
Weber added, “As soon as you get the ball on the opponents side of the field it opens up the playbook. Our offensive line did a great job of opening up holes for Hudson (Ehrenfelt). Coaches have done a great job preaching about keeping the energy up. Keep your foot on the gas and know that no game is done until the fourth quarter siren. This was a game we had circled. MEPO is a big one for us. That fourth quarter was the biggest highlight for me coming out on top. There’s no better feeling!”
Mid-Prairie won the total yards battle 304-191, and ran 68 plays to MEPO’s 54, 51 of them on the Bulldog side of the field. Ehrenfelt finished with 189 all-purpose yards on 36 touches with three touchdowns. Weber was 10 of 13 through the air for 107 yards with a touchdown. Peck had the scoring grab. The Hawks won the turnover battle 3-1 with Wiles, Christner and Fox jumping on fumbles. The Golden Hawk defense, led by nine tackles from Kaden Kos and seven from Wiles, held Class 2A’s all-purpose yards leader Noah Schmidgal, to 91 yards on 17 touches, less than half of his per game average. The win moves Mid-Prairie to 3-3 on the year and 3-0 in district play, a full game clear of second place Albia and West Burlington Notre Dame, as MEPO falls to 2-4 on the year and 1-2 in district. The Golden Hawks are back home Friday when they host Central Lee.