Prairie shares SWC title
Brogan Potter looks to throw. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Dylan Yeomans attempts to elude a River Valley defender Friday night in second half action.
Dominic Wright (22) finds good running room.
Adrian Johanningmeier forces a fumble by the River Valley quarterback in the second half Friday night in the SWC Championship game.
Cody Cauffman (23) follows his blocking to the outside for a big gain down the left sideline in second half action.
Prairie du Chien shares conference crown
By Zach Mara
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks hosted the River Valley Black Hawks Friday night with sole possession of the SWC Championship on the line.
River Valley (8-1, 4-1) looked to gain a share of the championship and spoil Prairie’s (6-3, 4-1) undefeated conference record with a win.
The game got off to a good start for PdC, who took the opening drive 67 yards on 9 plays, and scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brogan Potter to Drew Scott. The remainder of the first quarter went scoreless, with Valley going 3 and out and Prairie missing a field goal towards the end of the quarter. River Valley took over at their own 23-yard line after the missed field goal, and after just 5 plays, the ball was back in Prairie’s possession after Gunnar Kravchuk recovered a fumble at the River Valley 38-yard line. Following a PdC punt, the River Valley Black Hawks would march down the field for their first score of the game on 8 plays for 75 yards, capped by an 18-yard TD run from Brennan Scallon. The PAT was blocked by Adrian Johanningmeier, however, and Prairie retained the lead. The Hawks (PdC) were moving the ball down the field and were on their way into score when, with 12 seconds left before halftime, a River Valley Black Hawk jumped in front of a pass from Potter, ending the threat. The game went to halftime with Prairie du Chien leading Valley 7-6.
The second half did not begin well for Prairie, as on River Valley’s first play from scrimmage, Hunter Schwingle ran the ball in from 62 yards out. The 2-point conversion was good, and Valley led 14-7.
Three drives later, after 2 punts and a PdC turnover on downs, the RV Hawks were back in the end zone, on runs of 25 and 4 by their quarterback, Elijah Alt. The PAT was no good, and Valley led 20-7.
The rest of the third quarter was scoreless, but on River Valley’s first possession of the fourth quarter, they would score again, this time on a 5-4 yard run. The 2-point attempt was no good and Valley led 26-7.
The Hawks would find the end zone two possessions later on a 10-yard TD pass from Potter to Casey Hogenson. The PAT kick from Cory Check was good, narrowing the lead to 26-14 with 1:11 to go. Prairie’s onside kick attempt was stuffed by Valley and 2 plays later, the teams were leaving the field, each with a share of the SWC Championship and a playoff spot after the 26-14 River Valley win.
Brogan Potter was 14 of 28 for 145 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Dylan Yeomans ran the ball 15 times for 60 yards and Peyton Hall had 8 rushes for 48 yards. Dominic Wright tallied 7 runs for 20 yards. Drew Scott and Casey Hogenson had 3 receptions and a touchdown each, with 34 and 26 yards, respectively. Dylan Yeomans had 2 catches for 39 yards and Chad Mara had 3 catches for 20 yards. Ethan Swiggum led the defense with 11 total tackles and Gunnar Kravchuk had 8 tackles.
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks will host the Waterloo (Wisconsin) Pirates (6-3, 4-1) in Round 1 of the Playoffs on Friday, Oct. 23. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Come out and support the Hawks as they play in their first playoff game since 2010.
