It was a party from the opening whistle Friday night at Dwight G. Sattler Field in Wellman as the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk football team honored their seniors and wiped away a 16-year drought by stomping out Central Lee 48-14.

Each team misfired on their first possession, but the Golden Hawks got on the board with their second, going 60 yards on four plays, finishing with a Hudson Ehrenfelt 20 yard rush, to make it 7-0. Second Central Lee play next possession, the Golden Hawk defense produced a big man touchdown, when linebacker Conner Wiles scooped and scored a fumble from 25 yards out to double the lead. The flood gates opened after a Central Lee 12 play drive netted no points, Mid-Prairie came back with a four play, 58-yard march and touchdown number two for Ehrenfelt, a two-yarder to make it 20-0. Blake Swart provided the next Golden Hawk highlight, with his first interception of the year, and that quickly went the other way for six, as a four play 80-yard drive went the final 21 in the air as Brady Weber connected with Cobi Hershberger to make it 27-0 Mid-Prairie. The Golden Hawks weren’t done and neither was Swart. Next defensive series, he poaches another pass, setting Mid-Prairie up in the red zone and Weber called his own number on a five yard scoring run to make it 34-0 at break.

Out of half, a Kaden Kos fumble recovery set up the Golden Hawks in plus territory and Ehrenfelt’s third rushing score made it 41-0 and turned on the running clock. The hits kept coming for the Mid-Prairie defense, next time on the field, Keegan Bauwens snagged his first career interception, and four plays later it was Ehrenfelt in the end zone for the fourth time to run the lead to 48-0. Central Lee put up two late touchdowns, one each from Chase Johnson and Kayden Calfee against the Golden Hawk reserves. Following the game, two of Mid-Prairie’s 14 seniors, Ace Peck and Cobi Hershberger, talked with KCII Sports about the win.

Hershberger said, “(On defense) we just had to play physical. Our corners and d-ends kept contain, the linebackers flew to the ball. (Forcing the turnovers) was so awesome. Whenever the defense can take the ball back from the offense, it’s just the most hype thing you can do! Physicality is our motto. We just come out and play hard. If we could beat them up in the first quarter, that’s what it was all about because they weren’t very deep. Wide receivers, line, running back and quarterback, we just all played really well, we blocked great and dominated. Standing on the track with our parents and teammates we have been with since preschool, it was awesome to have that moment. Being seniors, it feels great. We got our district title and we’re coming for ’em!

Peck added, “We were good on both side of the ball. On defense, it was great to see us force turnovers. We played really well on that side of the ball. Swart had two by himself. On offense, 18 yards a play, that’s tough to beat, we were playing well. As a senior, it felt good tonight. It feels good to know that we have a couple more home games this season in the playoffs.”

Mid-Prairie won the total yards battle 429-216, and forced five turnovers to Central Lee’s two. Individually, Ehrenfelt finished with 15 carries for 215 yards and four touchdowns. Brady Weber was 8/11 throwing for 113 yards, two interceptions and a rushing and passing score. Swart had four grabs for 66 yards and Hershberger hauled in the touchdown. Kaden Kos led with nine tackles, Tommy Miller had three stops for loss. With the win and Albia’s loss to West Burlington, Mid-Prairie locks up their first district championship since 2008, improving their record to 4-0 in district and 4-3 overall. Central Lee is now 4-3 on the year and 1-3 in district. Mid-Prairie pays the Blue Demons a visit next week, Central Lee goes to Mediapolis. The Golden Hawks honored seniors Shay Myers, Brady Weber, Ace Peck, Landry Gingerich, Cobi Hershberger, Keegan Bauwens, Blake Swart, Traevin Gugel, Conner Wiles, Landon Kos, Dylan Humphrey, Burke Berry, Quinn Callahan and Tatem Telfer.