Noah Gunderson Photo by Angela Hewitt

JEWELL — The South Hamilton football team had Pella Christian on the run here Friday night in Class 1A playoff action.

But the Eagles responded, scoring the final 16 points of the game to claim a 38-30 victory and stun the Hawks.

Pella Christian (9-1 overall) now plays Underwood (10-0) this Friday night in the quarterfinals, with the winner advancing to the UNI-Dome and the final four. Underwood easily handled ACGC, 62-14.

Noah Gunderson ran for 125 yards and scored two touchdowns, while the junior also had 11 tackles on defense for South Hamilton (8-2).

With just over three minutes left, the Hawks took possession and navigated the ball down the field, but a turnover ended their hopes of a comeback and potential shot at tying the game.

Landon Skartvedt put South Hamilton ahead on the first play of the fourth with a touchdown run, 30-22, but Pella Christian’s Benny Schirz answered with both the tying and go-ahead scores.

Schirz finished with 17 carries for 98 yards and four touchdowns, while Isaac Kacmarynski was 7 of 14 passing for 83 yards. He also ran 20 times for 147 yards and a score.

Skartvedt also had a TD run in the first, with the two-point attempt putting the Hawks up 8-7 early.

This marked the final game for South Hamilton seniors Teagan Trask, Chayton Ewurs, Skartvedt, Blake Harris, Carter Balvanz, Ernie Taylor, Cole Severseike, Eddie Wirth, Tucker Clabaugh, Aiden Johnson and Jack Moline.

Over the past four seasons, the Hawks have won a combined 26 games, including a pair of eight-win campaigns.

The other three 1A matchups will see Hull Western Christian (8-2) travel to West Sioux (9-1), MFL MarMac (9-1) play West Branch (10-0) and Sigourney-Keota (8-2) take on Van Meter (9-1).