The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Once again, West Hancock proved to be Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's nemesis.

After eliminating H-M-S from last year's Class A football playoffs on their way to a state title and winning this year's regular season matchup in non-district play, West Hancock parlayed big plays on offense and a stifling defense into a 27-0 win in quarterfinal action on Nov. 5 at Britt.

Unlike the non-district game on Oct. 1 when West Hancock had several double-digit play drives, H-M-S's defense did not allow any possessions of more than eight plays.

"I think our kids did a good job with defensive alignment and assignment. Our kids did exactly what we asked them to do," Hawk coach Jay Eilers noted.

So West Hancock had to rely on big plays. They scored four times on runs of more than 40 yards, including three by Mathew Francis who rushed for 256 yards on 21 attempts. The senior reached the end zone on a 43-yard run in the second quarter, a 48-yard burst late in the third quarter and a 44-yard run early in the final period.

Braden Walk scored West Hancock's other touchdown on a 75-yard run early in the second half.

According to Eilers, the big plays were a result of wrinkles that the Eagles presented as the game progressed.

"I tip my hat to them. They made some adjustments at half time. There were some things they had never shown on film," he said.

H-M-S could not take advantage of two first-half scoring opportunities. Early in the second quarter the Hawks were in West Hancock territory when they lost the ball on a fumble, their only turnover of the game. A possession later, H-M-S drove to the Eagle 17 before committing consecutive penalties. With no timeouts left, the Hawks could not get off another play before the half ended with West Hancock leading 6-0.

"The penalties and clock management hurt us," Eilers admitted. "That's on me as a head coach. It's one of the things we have to get better at."

Not being able to gain momentum with a score was disappointing, but Eilers thought the team responded well.

"It could have taken something out of the kids. But at halftime they were as hungry as ever," he noted.

The second half started promising with an interception by Mason Brinkman. But the Hawks could not capitalize as the offense was unable to sustain any drives. H-M-S gained only one first down in the second half.

Eilers credited West Hancock's defense for holding the highest-scoring offense in H-M-S history scoreless for the first time in postseason play.

"They really limited us. They were going to keep us to those three- and four-yard runs," Eilers said. "They play a 4-4. They stay with it live or die. They keep things in front of them and they do a good job of getting to the ball."

That was evident in H-M-S's rushing statistics. Kooper Ebel rushed 23 times for 98 yards while Connor Dodd gained 71 yards on 21 attempts. Dodd had averaged 280 yards in the Hawks' previous two postseason games.

No other statistics from Friday's game were available as of press deadline.

MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS

James Gellerman (4) and Keevyn Jacobsma (85) bring down a West Hancock ball carrier in the second half of Friday's playoff game at Britt.

H-M-S ends the year at 8-3 overall, the program's best record in 11 years. While the Hawks did not advance to the Class A semifinals, Eilers feels they had a successful season.

"Greatness is not about record, it is about people. We accomplished greatness this year," the first-year head coach said. "It's the players, it's the people in the community and the student body. And we have a group of parents who are so committed to these young men."

A wrap-up of the 2021 season, including final statistics and all-district selections will be featured in next week's issue.

CLASS A DISTRICT 1

• Nov. 5 Class A Pod #1

West Hancock 27, H-M-S 0

• Nov. 11 Class A Semifinal Games

East Buchanan (10-1) vs. West Hancock (11-0)

Woodbury Central (10-1) vs. Grundy Central (10-1)