GAME OF THE WEEK (Aug. 22–28)
SIX RIVERS FOOTBALL: Black Hawk 14, Potosi 7
POTOSI – Until someone takes the title from them, the Black Hawk Warriors are still the champions of the Six Rivers Conference. And, if week two is any indication, their title defense will be left up to the Warriors’ defense.
The Warriors (2–0 overall, 1–0 SRC)– ranked third in Division 7 in the first Wissports.net state coaches’ poll– stonewalled #4-ranked Potosi/Cassville (1–1, 1–1), 14–7, in an old-school slugfest held in the rain and fog at Potosi High School on Friday, Aug. 24.
“It was a huge win for us. It was tough preparing for them in week two. They are a tremendous team with athletes all over the field,” remarked Black Hawk head coach Cory Milz after his Warriors improved to 3–0 against the Chieftains over the past two seasons.
Both teams opened the season with 50-plus point performances in week one, but points proved to be a lot more difficult to come by on Friday night as the defenses came ready to rule. Special teams also would prove to be key with the weather conditions, and the Warriors held a definite edge in that department.
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Chieftains broke through for the game’s first score in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Collin Esser. Cy Seigert tacked on the extra point for a 7–0 lead for the hosts.
The Warriors continued to struggle to move the ball on offense, however their special teams came up special late in the first half to get them on the scoreboard. Punter Rece Shelton pinned the Chieftains at their own 2 and the Warrior D stepped up to force a quick punt. Senior Colby Argall returned the P/C kick 37 yards down to the Chieftain 14. Senior Mitchell Quinn capped a short scoring drive with a 4-yard TD run to cut the deficit to 7–6.
The Warriors’ try for two failed, leaving the Chieftains ahead by a point at the intermission.
Black Hawk got right back into the end zone early in the third quarter with quarterback Kyle Lovelace hooking up with Shelton on a 25-yard touchdown pass for his only completion of the night. Quinn punched in the conversion to put the Warriors up 14–7.
And, that’s where the score remained the rest of the way as the Warriors used field position and a stout defense to shut down the Chieftains’ offensive attack.
The Warriors allowed just 124 yards on the night, including 26 rushing yards on 33 carries thanks in part to seven quarterback sacks. Black Hawk also recovered a fumble and blocked a punt in the game.
“Special teams was probably the deciding factor in the game. Brandon Schiferl, our long snapper, and Rece, our punter, did a fantastic job. We were able to capture the advantage in field position in the second half, which put them in some difficult spots,” Milz pointed out. “I thought our kids played a tremendous game on defense. We did a good job of limiting their run game, and we pressured their QB very well. We knew that we had to bring pressure, and our kids were able to do that.”
Quinn recorded 19 tackles (five solos) with half a sack, while Cayden Milz was in on 14 tackles (six solos) with two sacks and four tackles for loss. Avery Baumgartner and Gunner Foecking each registered a sack and a half with Baumgartner adding seven tackles and blocking a punt and Foecking notching five tackles.
Shelton had eight stops and caused a fumble for the Warriors, while Nick Hull was in on 10 tackles with four TFLs and half a sack. Hunter Bredeson and Nick Whitcomb each were in on a sack as well.
Black Hawk came away victorious despite gaining only 93 yards on the Chieftains’ D. They ran 31 times for 68 yards and a TD, and added 25 yards and a score through the air.
Argall ran 11 times for 42 yards to lead the offense.
Black Hawk’s home opener against New Lisbon (2–0) has been cancelled due to flooding and road closure around the New Lisbon area. It will not be made up this season.
Potosi will host River Ridge (1–1, 1–0) Friday at 7 p.m.
Black Hawk 14, Potosi
(At Potosi, on Friday, Aug. 24)
Black Hawk… 0 6 8 0 – 14
Potosi/Cas…. 0 7 0 0 – 7
PC – Esser, 1 run (Seigert kick)
BH – Mitchell Quinn, 4 run (run failed)
BH – Rece Shelton, 25 pass from Kyle Lovelace (Quinn run)
Team Stats: First Downs– BH 3; PC 8. Rushing– BH 31-68; PC 33-26. Passing– BH 1-3-0, 25; PC 11-23-0, 98. Fumbles-Lost– BH 4-3; PC 1-1. Penalties– BH 10-75; PC 9-62.
Individual Leaders: Rushing (Att-Yds-Td) – BH: Colby Argall 11-42-0; P/C: Ty Bausch 10-15-0. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Td-Yds) – BH: Kyle Lovelace, 1-3-0-1, 25; P/C: Will Bierman 11-23-0-0-98. Receiving (Cat-Yds-Td) – BH: Rece Shelton, 1-25-1, P/C: Brady Curtis 3-41, Ben Udelhofen 3-36.
