Prairie Football
Arcadia defeats
Prairie du Chien
By Zach Mara
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks ended nonconference play with a 20-7 loss to the visiting Arcadia Raiders. The wet, rainy Friday night could not stop the Hawks’ (2-2) pregame festivities, including Parents’ Night and Milwaukee Bucks’ draft pick Thon Maker signing autographs.
The opening kickoff by Hawks’ freshman Colton Wall, filling in for injured Cory Check, was returned by Arcadia (2-2) for the opening score of the game. The extra point was good and the Raiders took an early 7-0 lead.
After the teams exchanged punts, the Hawks took over on Arcadia’s 43-yard line. From there the Hawks put together an eight-play drive to punch the ball into the end zone on a 10-yard run by Dylan Yeomans. The PAT by Wall was good and the game was tied 7-7 with 4:47 left in the first quarter.
The rest of the first quarter and all of the second quarter was scoreless, as neither team could move the ball consistently, resulting in five punts and a turnover on downs during that span.
The game went to halftime tied 7-7.
The Hawks were forced to go three-and-out on the opening drive of the third quarter, and Arcadia, looking much sharper after halftime, answered immediately, putting together a 12-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to go up 14-7.
The Hawks were again forced to punt, setting the Raiders up with excellent field position at the Hawks’ 44-yard line. After four plays and a personal foul on the Hawks, the Raiders scored on a 3-yard run. The PAT was blocked by Eric Nolan and the Hawks trailed 20-7 nearing the end of the third quarter.
The Hawks were threatening early in the fourth quarter, with the ball on Arcadia’s 30-yard line, when Jacob Mallat’s pass was intercepted. The Raiders were able to run 4 minutes off the clock before punting on their ensuing possession, but the Hawks continued to struggle moving the ball, going three-and-out.
The Hawks’ offense would get their last chance after an Arcadia fumble at midfield. The Hawks managed only one first down before turning the ball over on downs deep in Arcadia territory to end the game with a 20-7 loss.
Dylan Yeomans led the Hawks’ rushers will 8 carries for 41 yards and a TD. Jacob Mallat was 6 of 19 in the air with 32 yards and 1 interception. Drake Coleman led Prairie’s receivers with 2 catches for 11 yards.
The Hawks start conference play next week in Dodgeville, playing the Dodgers (3-1).