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HAWKS READY TO MEET GOLIATH

No. 6 Titans unbeaten in district for more than 3 years

South Hamilton’s Cade Balvanz (86) and Colton Willis (53) wrangle Woodward-Granger’s Reese Jamison (28) to the ground during a game last month. The Hawks have surrendered just 12 points in their last two games, victories over Manson-Northwest Webster and Madrid. DFJ photo/Tracy Queen

WEBSTER CITY — The South Hamilton football team will face its toughest test to date this evening when it makes the long trek to Lake City to tangle with sixth-ranked (Class 1A) and unbeaten South Central Calhoun.

The District 2 battle of 2018 state qualifiers is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

With three consecutive victories under its belt, South Hamilton (3-2, 1-0) will attempt to take down Goliath, something no district opponent has accomplished against the Titans since Sept. 30, 2016 when Carroll Kuemper gained the upper hand, 35-22.

“It’s obviously a big game,” South Hamilton head coach Corey Klemp said. “We’re playing a team that has great talent, great size and a great coaching staff. Fundamentally, it’s just a terrific team.”

If South Central Calhoun (5-0, 1-0) has a weakness, either Klemp hasn’t found it or he isn’t telling.

The Titans boast a balanced offense keyed by quarterback Cole Corey (562 passing yards, four touchdowns) and running backs Landon Schleisman (342 yards, seven TDs) and Blake McAlister (228 yards, three TDs).

South Central Calhoun, which has outscored its foes 204-21, may be even better on defense where it hasn’t surrendered more than eight points in any one game.

The Titans held off South Hamilton a season ago, 14-8, in what was a defensive struggle from the opening kickoff. The Hawks will look to make tonight’s contest another low-scoring affair.

The Hawks have been stingy themselves in recent weeks, allowing just six points in each of their last two games, wins over Manson-Northwest Webster and Madrid. The trio up front of Jeremiah Smith, Dominic Summers and Colton Willis have controlled the line of scrimmage, but that will be easier said than done this evening.

Offensively, South Hamilton will again rely on its own ground game, led by fullback Cade Flaugh (638 yards, 10 TDs), as well as halfbacks Brock Galetich (257 yards, two TDs) and Trevor Thompson (194 yards, one TD).

TONIGHT

South Hamilton at South Central Calhoun

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Where: Lake City.

Records: SH 3-2, 1-0, SCC 5-0, 1-0.

Last Year: SCC beat South Hamilton, 14-8.

STANDINGS

Class 1A District 2

Team Dist Over

S. Central Calhoun 1-0 5-0

South Hamilton 1-0 3-2

Pocahontas Area 1-0 3-2

Ogden 0-1 1-4

Madrid 0-1 0-5

Eagle Grove 0-1 0-5

Tonight’s Games

S. Hamilton at SC Calhoun

Ogden at Pocahontas Area

Eagle Grove at Madrid

Week 7 Games (Oct. 11)

Pocahontas Area at S. Hamilton

SC Calhoun at Madrid

Eagle Grove at Ogden

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