LANDEN SKARTVEDT OF SOUTH HAMILTON stretches to score against Eagle Grove last week in the Hawks’ regular-season finale. (DFJ photo by Angela Hewitt)

JEWELL — Technically, Paul Skartvedt is in his first season as South Hamilton’s head varsity football coach.

Skartvedt is no stranger to the Hawk sidelines, though. The former Iowa State University offensive lineman may not be a seasoned veteran in the company of his counterparts, but Skartvedt knows what makes the South Hamilton program — and this particular group of athletes — tick.

The Hawks recently completed a 7-1 regular season and a Class 1A, District 2 championship. They were unbeaten in league play, which included a 62-8 thrashing of South Central Calhoun to exorcise recent demons against the Titans. District victories came by 58, 24, 54, 42 and 46 points, respectively.

Skartvedt made the transition from long-time assistant to team leader look easy. Truth be told, his close relationship with current Hawk players — thanks in large part to his son, Landen, being a senior tailback and linebacker — dates back well over a decade.

“This is not the first time I have coached this class. With this class, growing up, I helped other dads coach them in football, basketball, and baseball, and have loved my time with them,” Skartvedt said. “I’m not sure that they would say the same thing about their time with me coaching them…I know they have a few nicknames for me.

“I might be a little tougher on them, but I know what they are capable of accomplishing and I want them to achieve that. You only get one shot at high school, and you need to take advantage of it.”

So far, South Hamilton is doing just that. The Hawks have been dominant since a loss at No. 4 West Marshall on Sept. 9, using a devastating ground game to grind opponents physically and mentally down.

Landen Skartvedt recovered from an early-season injury and has rushed for 627 yards at over 11 yards per carry. Sophomore Nick Severseike (617 yards, nine touchdowns) and junior Noah Gunderson (444 yards, 12 TDs) have been just as effective.

Four players have 50 or more carries, and six are averaging at least eight yards per rushing attempt. Junior quarterback Tjerdan Johnson has run at a 10-yard per carry clip, while completing passes at a 15-yard average.

“I think our biggest strength is our toughness,” Skartvedt said. “(Former head) coach (Corey) Klemp (who stepped down last May) started this culture nine years ago at South Hamilton, and he called it, ‘Hawk Football.’ We want to be both physically and mentally tough in all that we do on and off the field.

“I would say one other big strength is our offensive and defensive line play. I played offensive line, and I know if you don’t have a line, you won’t move the ball down the field to score. We do a good job on both sides to make it happen and move the ball, while also stop it from happening.”

South Hamilton has held six opponents to 14 points or less. Gunderson is the leading tackler, with junior Owen Renaud and senior Carter Balvanz pacing the Hawks in tackles for loss. Senior Teagan Trask and junior Landon Greufe have three interceptions each.

South Hamilton has a 43-15 record since midway through the 2016 campaign.

Skartvedt has emphasized the concept of collective leadership, hoping each of his athletes accepted their own respective roles and responsibilities within the program. So far, the expectations have led to impressive dividends.

“Leadership is a big part of our team makeup. This summer, we had a senior leadership class that was open to any senior that was in our summer workouts,” Skartvedt said. “We emphasized leading from within; not everyone has to be the leader out front to be an effective leader. This will always be something that we want the kids to improve on as they continue to mature in our program, and after they leave us to become leaders in their communities and families.”

The Hawks open postseason play at home against Ridge View (4-4) this Friday at 7 p.m.

“We are definitely taking it one game at a time,” Skartvedt said. “We know that the postseason is hard, and the teams we face will be really good. The seniors came up with three main goals for the year that the whole team committed to, and we still need to achieve two of those goals.

“Working on our technique at every position will always be a big part of our practice, whether it is the first game of the season or the first game of the playoffs. If the team is satisfied with where we are at right now, we will not have to worry about playing football for much longer.”

Skartvedt is embracing every opportunity to make memories with Landen and his teammates.

“(Former head coaches) Todd Coy and Corey Klemp, who both had opportunities to coach their sons at South Hamilton, were able to give me great advice when it came to coaching their sons. I appreciated that tremendously,” Skartvedt said. “Coaching Landen has been a lot of fun for the last four years as a (linebacker) position coach, but this season, adding the extra layer has made it very memorable for me…possibly a little more stressful, but I will take that every day for this opportunity.”

The SHCSD and Hawk fans have again rallied around South Hamilton all season long, supporting the squad unconditionally as the playoffs draw near.

“Our community is great,” Skartvedt said. “They are very giving in so many ways to our school and to the football team. We have great attendance at our games, and the kids appreciate playing for the whole community.

“A lot of our kids work for businesses in the area, and we either live here or are open enrolled here because we want to be at South Hamilton. The football team has started to do some community projects in our city that are affiliated with South Hamilton, and will look to do more (into this coming offseason).”