HWC football defeats Rugby, 39-22

The HWC defense once again flexed their muscles with four sacks and an interception, helping pick up a convincing 39-22 victory over Rugby in Class A – Region 2 football action in Rugby on Friday, September 27.

The difference in the score may have only been 17 points, but the Hornets controlled this game from start to finish. Some untimely HWC turnovers helped the Panthers find the scoring column, but the defense stepped it up in the second half and the running game was outstanding as the Hornets moved their season record to 3-3 overall and 3-1 in regional play.

Christian Mertz's blocked punt on the Panthers' opening possession set up the Hornets' first score. A three-play drive resulting in a five-yard run from Kayl Sieg and PAT from Carter Laber gave HWC a quick 7-0 lead. The Hornet defense allowed very little yardage in Rugby's first quarter possessions, but the Panthers found some room in the second quarter. A 14-play, 78-yard drive was kept alive by a HWC pass interference and offsides calls. QB Tucker Volk had the big play of the drive with a 31-yard run after a bad snap, and Kolton Bohl scored the touchdown on a two-yard plunge making the score 7-6.

The HWC ground game was solid all night and continued as Sieg rattled off two runs for 53 yards midway through the second, setting up an 18-yard blast from Mertz for the score. The PAT was unsuccessful, and the HWC lead was 13-6.

The final score of the first half belonged to Rugby, as they followed HWC's score using very little time with a 46-yard scoring run from Volk. Volk added the PAT run, and the Panthers had a 14-13 lead at the half.

HWC got on the board right away to start the second half. The Panthers stuffed HWC twice on runs, but then Thorson found Jaxon Feist for 9 yards and Thorson added a 10-yard run with a 15-yard horse collar penalty by Rugby, and HWC found themselves at the 25-yard line. Thorson took the ball into the end zone on one play and with the run from Sieg, the Hornets regained the lead, 21-14.

The Hornet defense made a couple of nice stands in the third quarter, and held onto the seven- point lead with 12 minutes to play.

The Hornets rattled off three runs of 20 plus yards early in the fourth quarter to set up a 1-yard plunge from Sieg to move the lead to 27-14.

After a three and out for the HWC defense, Thorson took the ball on the second play of the drive and scored from 63 yards out. The PAT failed, but the Hornets took a commanding 33-14 lead.

A 15-play drive from Rugby had some big 3rd and 4th down plays, as the Panthers moved the ball 69 yards in 15 plays, setting up a two yard run from Volk. The PAT from Volk to Kasen Halvorson was good, pulling Rugby to within 33-22.

The onside kick from Rugby was unsuccessful, giving HWC great field position at the Panther 46. Sieg started the drive with a three-yard run, and then Mertz added eight more before Thorson found another seam and scored from 35 yards out ending the games scoring.

The rushing game for the Hornets was massive for the second week in a row, as HWC compiled 377 yards on the ground. Thorson had 161 and Sieg 160 as both players are nearing 600 yards each on the ground this season. Thorson threw for 95 yards and the leading receiver with just one catch was Nixon Buchmiller with 39 yards.

Defensively, the Hornets had another great game, with Sieg collecting two of the team's four sacks and Mertz adding three tackles for loss. Sieg led all HWC players with 16 tackles, while Easton Schuh added 12 and Dominik Hoffart getting 10 more.

Class A - Region 2 Football

HWC 39, Rugby 22

HWC 7 6 8 18 39

Rugby 0 14 0 8 22

First Quarter

HWC: Kayl Sieg 5 yard run (Carter Laber kick)

Second Quarter

Rugby: Kolton Bohl 2 yard run (run failed)

HWC: Christian Mertz 18 yard run (kick failed)

Rugby: Tucker Volk 46 yard run (Volk run)

Third Quarter

HWC: Tallen Thorson 25 yard run (Sieg run)

Fourth Quarter

HWC: Sieg 1 yard run (kick failed)

HWC: Thorson 63 yard run (run failed)

Rugby: Volk 2 yard run (Kasen Halvorson pass from Volk)

HWC: Thorson 35 yard run (run failed)

HWC Statistics

Offense

Passing: Thorson 5-10-95 yards-2 INT

Rushing: Thorson 16-161-3 TD; Sieg 16-160-2 TD; Mertz 5-50-TD; Kyson Zerr 2-5; Tyler Swang 1-1

Receiving: Nixon Buchmiller 1-39; Jaxon Feist 2-34; Swang 2-22

Defense

Tackles (unassisted/assisted): Sieg (8-8), Easton Schuh (9-3), Dominik Hoffart (7-3), Mertz (3-5), Buchmiller (2-3), Thorson (1-3), Swang (2-2), Rylend Whetzel (4-0), Kiefer Finley (2-1), Laber (0-3), Jacob Anderson (2-0), Feist (0-2), Frank Richter (2-0), Zerr (1-1), Porter Johnson (1-1), Andrew Williams (1-0)

Sacks: Sieg 2, Swang 1, Mertz and Whetzel 0.5

Tackles for Loss: Mertz 3

Interception: Buchmiller

Blocked Punt: Mertz