August 27, 2015 at 1:09 p.m.
Late goal line stuff gives Hawks win
River Valley scored first then got into a shootout with the Cardinals. They ended up winning 44-38 and stranded the potential winning score at the goal line as time expired.
"Both teams were pretty evenly matched on both sides of the ball," Eastlick said.
The statistics proved that as the Brodhead/Juda had 451 total yards to River Valley's 371. The Cardinals had 303 yards on the ground and passed for 148 more. The Hawks ran for 207 and passed for 164.
Elijah Alt was given the signal calling job and started things in fine fashion with a 46 yard pass to Derek Bodendein for the first score.
He then spotted Ryan Wickman in the clear and tossed him a pass that was turned into a 54 yard scoring play.
After the Cardinals scored on a 45 yard run by Ned Slocum the Hawks came back to start the second quarter on a 55 yard scoring jaunt by Hunter Schwingle.
Slocum came back with a four yard plunge and it was 21-14 at the half.
After Brodhead/Juda scored on a three yard run Alt hit Cole Eastlick with a scoring pass from 27 yards away.
The Cardinals got the next scored on a 22 yard pass play Matt Schmitt to Parker Johnson.
Alt followed that with a five yard run and also sprinted in for the conversion. He followed that with a 23 yard run and Bodendein ran the conversion.
But, the Cardinals had gas left in the tank and got within six on a 29 yard pass play, Schmitt to Slocum.
The Hawks then stuffed the Cards at the goal line on the last play of the game.
Kurt Schaller kicked four extra points and handled kickoff duties for the Hawks.
"He was good for us Friday," said Eastlick. "It is nice to have a guy go 4x4 on extra points and also do good in the kickoff department."
Schwingle led the rushing totaling 110 yards for the Blackhawks.
"He is an extremely explosive running back," Eastlick said. 'He is solid both inside and out with his running. He is a very solid weapon."
Eastlick was pleased with Alt's first game at quarterback after playing running back last season.
"He was very efficient passing and did a nice job spreading the football around to our receivers," Eastlick said. He was also efficient with the run."
Eastlick was also pleased with the receiving.
"Ryan Wickman and Cole Eastlick led the way for an excellent evening catching the football," he said.
Wickman had 68 yards receiving and both he and Eastlick had touchdown grabs.
Defensively Hunter Ring, Dalton Walsh and Schwingle all had 12 tackles. Bodendein recovered a fumble.
The Hawks expect to see more of the same this Friday when they play at Nekoosa.
"They run the same offense and defense we saw against Brodhead/Juda," Eastlick said. "They will be physical and are well coached, We will need to play solid football to take a step forward this week."
