SOUTH HAMILTON DEFENDERS Ashton Williams (30) and Noah Gunderson (34) combine to make a tackle against Woodward-Granger last week. The Hawks take on fellow district unbeaten South Central Calhoun on Friday night in Jewell. (DFJ photo by Angela Hewitt)

JEWELL — The road to the district title goes through South Central Calhoun, and South Hamilton is well aware of that.

The two meet in a battle of league unbeatens here Friday night at 7 p.m.

Over the opening two weeks of district play, only South Hamilton (4-1 overall, 2-0 in Class 1A, District 2) and South Central Calhoun (3-2, 2-0) have come survived perfect.

Each of the last six meetings between the two have resulted in wins for the Titans, but last year was as close as ever, as SCC prevailed, 18-14.

The Hawks are coming off one-sided wins over Woodward-Granger (38-14) and Belmond-Klemme (58-0) since a loss to West Marshall.

Nick Severseike is the leading rusher for South Hamilton with 312 yards, but senior Landen Skartvedt has returned, racking up 217 yards and two scores in the last two games.

As a collective unit, South Hamilton has rushed for 1,478 yards and scored 24 touchdowns on the ground, averaging six yards per carry.

South Central Calhoun has rebounded from a 1-2 start by blasting Eagle Grove (49-14) and Manson Northwest Webster (51-13) in recent weeks. Junior Gavin Batta has thrown for 879 yards with 11 touchdowns, as classmate Keegan Soard has 532 yards receiving and eight scores.

Looking to keep Batta from finding his rhythm will be Landon Greufe, Noah Gunderson, Prestin Van De Pol and Teagan Trask. Led by Greufe’s three interceptions, the Hawks have picked off seven passes this year.

Batta has thrown five interceptions among his 85 attempts.