Golden Hawks soar, defuse Rockets

EDDYVILLE - The Iowa High School Athletic Association has adopted a Ratings Percentage Index for determining the best teams who do not win a district and automatically qualify for the playoffs.

THE RPI had Mid-Prairie and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at Nos, 35 and 36 with both teams with 3-3 records before Friday's football game.

Mid-Prairie blasted past the Rockets 62-7 Friday, causing a fumble on the first play from scrimmage, again on the next possession, then intercepting a pass on the third for a 21-0 lead.

EBF returned the kickoff for its only score, but the Golden Hawks went 66 yards in four plays, scoring on the final play of the first quarter for a 28-7 lead. When Kayden Reinier scored with 20 seconds left in the first half, it was a 48-7 score.

'It's always nice to get a turnover like that that quick,” Mid-Prairie coach Pete Cavanaugh said. 'In our victories this year, turnovers have been the key. Our front five is solid, really solid.”

Those front five are Jack Baker, Josh Wallington, Isaac Boucher, Cael Garvey and Logan Harmsen.

They were creating havoc in the Rockets backfield, which led to the turnovers: two interceptions by Zeb Danner, one interception by Clarke Latchem, three fumble recoveries (one each by Baker, Boucher and Harmsen).

'It's a lot of fun to get that many points and helps relieve the hurt of the loss to Williamsburg last week,” Reinier said. 'I think it's important to come out quick like we did. Our lineman were making some great holes. I think the reason for all my yards (144 on 18 carries) was the blocking. We have to keep rolling like this and knock off our next two teams.”

The Hawks had 393 yards rushing on 41 carries for an average of 9.6 yards a rush.

Brad Tornow had four carries for 83 yards with a long of 39. Keegan Gingerich had a long run of 48 yards for a score on a reverse. Nathan Quinby had four runs for 16 yards and a score. Cael Garvey had seven carries for 28 yards and two scores. Vinny Bowlin went for 71 yards on six carries and had a 21-yard TD.

For all the offense, the coach was most impressed with his defense.

'We ran the ball well. I think our defense has played really well,” Cavanaugh said. 'They really played well tonight, but they have done that all year.”