Blackhawks roll past Onalaska Luther Knights

By Zach Mara

The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks, behind dominant offensive and defensive lines, routed the visiting Onalaska Luther Knights 55-13 Friday night. The Hawks’ (2-2) defense, spirited by relentless pass-rushing from Gunnar Kravchuk and Adrian Johanningmeier, would hold the Knights (0-4) to 116 total offensive yards for the game, including -39 yards on the ground.

The game would begin with Hawks’ kicker Chad Mara booting his longest kick of the year, pinning the Knights inside the 20-yard line to start the game. The defense would do their job, forcing Luther to go 3-and-out. The Hawks would then march into the end zone on three plays, 2 rushes for 33 yards from Dylan Yeomans and a 7-yard touchdown run by Peyton Hall. Cory Check nailed the PAT and the Blackhawks led 7-0. 

The Knights’ next drive would be cut short by an interception by Ethan Swiggum, which he returned to Luther’s 49-yard line. Eleven seconds later, Yeomans was walking into end zone for his first TD of the game. The PAT was good, and Prairie led 14-0. The Hawks’ would force another 3-and-out on the next drive, and they were going in to score again when the Knights’ defense would force a fumble on a QB keeper at the 1-yard line.

After another Knights’ punt and a Peyton Hall run, Brogan Potter would complete a 33-yard touchdown pass to Casey Hogenson, widening the margin to 21-0 after the PAT. The Hawks’ suffocating defensive play continued, forcing the Knights to turn the ball over on downs. Potter would get his second touchdown pass of the game on a 35-yard screen pass to Hall. Check would once again put the ball through the uprights and the Blackhawks would extend their lead to 28-0.

Aided by 2 key pass interference penalties, the Luther Knights would get the ball into the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown pass from QB Jeremy Fluegge to Sam Babinec. The PAT was good, but the Hawks still led 28-7. This minor victory would be short-lived for the Knights, as Peyton Hall would record his third touchdown of the game, an 8-yard TD run. After the good PAT, the Hawks led 35-7 with 5 ½ minutes before halftime. Peyton Hall would contribute on the defense as well, intercepting a third down pass and returning the ball to the Knights’ 10-yard line. Following a Hawks’ penalty, Yeomans would catch a pass from Potter and run in for a 25-yard touchdown. Check’s PAT kick was good again, and the lead was increased to 42-7, nearing halftime. Neither team would score again before the half, and the Hawks led 42-7 at the half, forcing a running clock in the second half.

Both teams would score on their first possessions of the second half, the Hawks on a Peyton Hall 67-yard TD run, and the Knights on a 28-yard pass for a touchdown. Neither team’s PAT was successful, and the Hawks led 48-13. The Hawks’ subs were in, but that wouldn’t stop the offense, as now-QB Cory Check ran the ball in from 1-yard out on their next possession. The added PAT ended the scoring at 55-13.

Brogan Potter was 6-7 with 116 yards and 3 TD passes for the game. Peyton Hall had 7 rushes for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground as well as 2 receptions for 24 yards and a receiving touchdown. Dylan Yeomans had 7 rushes for a career-high 102 yards and a TD, and FB Dominic Wright had 7 carries for 43 yards. Drew Scott led receivers with 2 receptions for 34 yards. Hogenson and Yeomans each had a reception for 33 and 25 yards, respectively. The Hawks’ defense was led by Cody Cauffman, who started in place of injured Nick Weber. He had 7 total tackles. Captain Gunnar Kravchuk was next in line with 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The Hawks will travel to Platteville to start conference play next week. The game begins at 7 p.m. At this point of the season, the SWC is up for grabs, with the Hawks being serious contenders.