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Washington Evening Journal
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Mid-Prairie downs Mediapolis for state quarterfinal berth
Golden Hawks cruise to victory over Bulldogs in 2A second round
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WELLMAN — What a season its been for the No. 10 ranked Golden Hawks of Mid-Prairie.
After a tough start to the season, in which they suffered three straight losses, the Golden Hawks now find themselves in the quarterfinals.
Mid-Prairie gets there after downing Mediapolis for a second time this season 35-14 in Friday nights 2A second round playoff action.
It was a tale of two halves for the Golden Hawks and Bulldogs as both teams scored in bunches through the opening half.
Mid-Prairie covered over 65 yards of ground on its opening possession, with junior Hudson Ehrenfelt taking up the majority of that yardage.
Ehrenfelt broke free down the sideline for a 55 yard touchdown to open the scoring.
Mediapolis followed up with a lengthy drive of its own to tie things up. The Bulldogs capped off a 10 play drive with Reece Campbell connecting with Gannon Gunn to knot the game at sevens.
The bout wasn’t tied for long though as the Golden Hawks added seven more to their total in just four plays.
Golden Hawk senior quarterback Brady Weber launched the ball downfield to a streaking Kaden Kos for the longest score of the night, an 83 yard touchdown to make it a 14-7 game.
While the Mid-Prairie offense let itself be known early, the defense came to life on the ensuing kickoff.
Ryan Henry gave the Golden Hawks the ball right back as he ripped the ball from the Bulldog’s Noah Schmidgall and Shay Myers was able to get on top of it.
“It may look a little uneasy at times, but it’s that bend don’t break mentality,” Mid-Prairie head coach Daren Lambert said. “They hold each other accountable. Once out defense starts humming it’s a sight to see. When you only give up two scores, it makes the job easier.”
Mediapolis made Mid-Prairie work for it, but after an eight play 13-yard drive Weber scored on a one-yard keeper to make it 21-7.
However, Mediapolis continued to hang around as Schmidgall broke free for a 76 yard touchdown on the Bulldogs first play of their next drive to cut it back down to a one possession game 21-14.
To the Bulldogs dismay, that was their final points of the evening.
Meanwhile, the Golden Hawks continued to find success on the offensive side of the ball as another drawn out nine play drive that spanned 65 yards ended with Ehrenfelt diving across the goal line for his second score of the night 28-14.
The first half ended with the Golden Hawks up a pair. In the second, it was a defensive slugfest, but Mid-Prairie never led Mediapolis get back into it.
Mid-Prairie gave up just 90 yards of offense in the final two frames.
The Bulldogs stood tall themselves, forcing a turnover on downs on the Golden Hawks first two drives of the half, but after two punts themselves an interception by Ehrenfelt set up the final points of the night.
Weber once again put six on the board, this time rounding off a nine play 55 yard-drive to push it to 35-14.
Cash Brown closed it out for the Golden Hawks with an interception.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was a tough game,” Lambert said. “Their a well coached team. This is just a culmination of all the hard work that started back in June and even throughout their entire careers. I’m extremely proud. Getting that second playoff win at home for these seniors. We talked about cherishing the walk down on the hill, take it all in. That’s quite a way to finish out your senior career at home.”
Brady Weber finished the game with 184 yards passing and a touchdown. He also rushed for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Hudson Ehrenfelt finished with 137 yards rushing with a pair of scores as well.
On the receiving end, Kaden Kos had two catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Blake Swart had three catches for 45 yards.
Defensively, Kos tallied 6.5 tackles and two tackles for a loss. Tatem Telfer ended with two sacks.
The Golden Hawks, now 7-3, are heading to the 2A quarterfinals for the first time since 2008. They will take on No. 2 Prairie City Monroe on the road.
Mediapolis bows out at 5-5.
