BRODY HARRIS of South Hamilton lifts teammate Garrett Johnson in celebration. (DFJ photo by Angela Hewitt)

JEWELL — Paul Skartvedt was sure of one thing this season.

Even when South Hamilton was struggling, there was no quit in his football squad.

After coming up empty in eight tries, the Hawks got on the board in their finale last Friday with a 21-20 win over Eagle Grove.

“We played well,” Skartvedt said. “Just like the rest of the year, this team didn’t give up when we were down at halftime.”

The contest was one both teams picked up to complete a nine-game schedule.

The Hawks trailed 20-6 at halftime, but a 15-point second half outburst gave South Hamilton the victory. Trailing 20-13 in the fourth quarter, the Hawks scored and converted the two-point conversion to prevail.

Sophomore Wyatt Gelder paced the Hawks with 202 yards and two touchdowns. Gelder also had the winning conversion run.

“Wyatt had over 200 yards this game and is leading all running backs for 1A in the state (1,423 yards),” Skartvedt said. “We did not have the same lineup within the five linemen and two tight ends in any of our nine games this year (due to injuries).”

Garrett Johnson had a one-yard touchdown plunge, and Jose Babcock ran for 95 years.

“We also had our first PAT in years,” Skartvedt said. “One of our exchange students, Linnea Hebnes, hit her second attempt.”

The Hawk defense didn’t give up a point in the second half.

“Our defense played really good in the second half to slow down their offense, led by sophomore Ben Swenson,” Skartvedt said. “Swenson had a sack, a tackle for loss and five solo tackles and five assists. Brody Harris and Parker Stuck had great games, too.

“We ended on a great note, giving the seniors a nice ending and the underclassmen something to push them into the offseason to keep getting better.”