'A play here and a play there'

After a three-year run in which it compiled a record of 23-9, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's football program suffered a drop-off in 2023. The Hawks' lone win during a 1-7 season came against Sibley-Ocheyedan. It was also their only victory in Class A District 1 play.

The Hawks scored 107 points and allowed 238. Four of their losses were by a total of 28 points.

"You look at the Kingsley-Pierson game on, these kids brought their lunch pail. They brought a vision and a character to go out and compete their tails off," Hawk coach Jay Eilers observed. "One play here or one play there, we'd have more wi...