JEWELL — South Hamilton held an early lead on Emmetsburg during its Homecoming game on Friday night.

The E-Hawks, though, answered quicikly on their way to a 37-8 victory.

Wyatt Gelder, who entered the week as the leading rusher in Class A, capped a long drive in the opening quarter with a 9-yard run to give the Hawks the lead after a successful two-point conversion, 8-7.

“The team played hard,” South Hamilton head coach Paul Skartvedt said. “They fought until the end. We have to be able to finish inside the red zone.”

Emmetsburg scored a pair of late first half touchdowns to take control at 23-8.

Gelder, a sophomore, inched closer to the 1,000-yard mark, rushing 24 times for 109 yards and the touchdown.

“The kids that are playing new positions are getting better each week,” Skartvedt said. “They have another opportunity this week to keep getting better and play again.”

South Hamilton hosts district champion Manson Northwest Webster this Friday night.