POCAHONTAS — The South Hamilton football team looks to start October off with a win when they take on Pocahontas Area here Friday night.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the PAC Athletic Complex. This will cap the Indians’ homecoming week.

Last Friday, the Hawks (0-5 overall, 0-2 in Class 1A, District 2) were denied their first victory at East Sac County, dropping a high-scoring 40-30 affair to the Raiders.

Sophomore Wyatt Gelder has taken over as the lead back for South Hamilton, carrying the ball 97 times for 684 yards with eight touchdowns. Maddux Becker has 215 yards on the ground to date, and Jose Babcock is next in line at 163.

Benjamin Swenson anchors the defense with 26.5 tackles — including three sacks. Brody Harris has added 24 tackles so far, and Gelder 22.

Pocahontas Area (1-4, 0-2) is coming off back-to-back district losses to Manson Northwest Webster and Emmetsburg after edging Alta-Aurelia.

Sophomore quarterback Blake Bunda has thrown for 649 yards and four touchdowns to help pace the Indians’ offense, adding 180 yards on the ground. Bunda suffered a recent injury and is currently sidelined, however.

Logan Shiflett has 202 yards rushing. Karson Welander has caught 23 passes for 264 with two TDs.

South Hamilton and Pocahontas Area last played in 2019, with the Hawks posting a 28-26 victory. South Hamilton also won when they met in 2018 by a final score of 20-0.