Prairie wins 7-6

By Zach Mara

The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks opened up the 2019 season versus the Aquinas Blugolds on Saturday at UW-La Crosse. The game featured strong defensive efforts by both sides, with the teams combining for only 4 appearances in the redzone. Ultimately, after the stagnant offenses opened up late in the 4th quarter, the game was decided by the leg of first-year kicker Derek Grondin, whose successful PAT kick lifted the Hawks (1-0) to a 7-6 victory over the Blugolds (0-1). The Blugolds didn't wait long to get the excitement of the season underway, as they perfectly executed a fake punt on 4th-and-16 from their own 34 to keep the opening drive rolling. A strong defensive push from the Hawks sent Aquinas backwards from there, forcing a punt 5 plays later. The Hawks turned to seniors Tyler Hannah and Traeton Saint to methodically march the ball down the field, getting all the way down to the Aquinas 10-yard-line before a Blugold defender jumped in front of a pass from senior QB Dylan Coleman to take over possession at the 7. The teams then exchanged 3-and-outs as the 1st quarter came to a close.The Hawks' defense picked up right where it left off in the second quarter, forcing the Blugolds to punt for the 3rd time in 3 possessions. PdC then threatened again, advancing to the Aquinas 18-yard-line after a pass from Coleman to senior WR Mason Kramer and a big gain from Hannah. The drive was cut short as Aquinas LB Evan Kujak stripped the ball away from Coleman to take over at the 22-yard-line. The teams exchanged punts again to set up Aquinas at their own 35. After a 6-play drive, the Blugolds were forced to punt to Mason Kramer, whose long return was negated by a penalty to send the game to halftime tied 0-0. The third quarter showed no early signs of offensive life, as the Blackhawks were held to a pair of three-and-outs and the Blugolds punted once as well. However, after a great punt return started the Blugolds in PdC territory, the Hawks' defense appeared to be on its heels, getting pushed down to the 22-yard-line. On 4th-and-2, brothers Traeton (Sr.) and Bradyn (Jr.) Saint combined to stuff the Aquinas RB short of the line and the Hawks took over as the 3rd quarter wound to a close. After 3 more punts, the offenses finally found a way to burst through after another long return from Aquinas' Quinn Miskowski set up the Blugolds at the PdC 20-yard-line. Five plays later, RB Matthew Reuteman punched in the score from 3 yards out. After a penalty pushed the PAT attempt back to the 8-yard-line, Aquinas' two-point conversion attempt was no good, but the Blugolds had grabbed a 6-0 lead with 2:51 remaining in the game. The ensuing kickoff was fallen on by Bradyn Saint to set up the Hawks at their own 34-yard-line with 2:48 to go. On the first play of the drive, Coleman ran a QB keeper for 11 yards before being taken down by his facemask. The penalty pushed the ball up the the Blugolds 40-yard-line. After short gains by Saint and Coleman, the Hawks stalled and faced a 3rd-and-10 from the 25-yard-line. With time running down, Coleman dropped back and hit senior Ben Riter in stride across the middle for a 10-yard gain and a first down. On the very next play, Kramer barrelled into the endzone for a 15-yard catch-and-run touchdown to tie the game at 6. Junior Derek Grondin nailed the extra point to put the Hawks up 7-6 with 36 seconds to go in the game. The Blugolds found themselves in position for a Hail Mary with under 10 seconds to go but Dylan Coleman jumped to bring down the pass himself at the 2-yard-line. Two kneeldowns later, and the Blackhawks had secured themselves the win in Week 1.Traeton Saint led all rushers with 46 yards on 13 carries. Dylan Coleman went 6-14 in the air for 70 yards, 1 TD, and 1 interception, and Mason Kramer led the receivers with 3 receptions for 46 yards. The defense was led by Tyler Hannah, who pitched in on 12 tackles, and Traeton Saint, who recorded 11 tackles and 1 sack.The Blackhawks travel to Waterloo, Wis., on Friday night to face the Pirates (0-1) in a non-conference matchup. Game time is 7 p.m.