West Sioux scored touchdowns on five straight possessions in the first and second quarters and went on to down Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 49-14. This season lid-lifter for both teams was played August 30 at Hartley. The Falcons from Class 1A led the game 49-0 before HMS put together touchdown drives in their final two possessions.
In a tough first half the Hawks punted on all but one of their possessions. The lone exception was an interception returned for a touchdown by West Sioux. The Falcons led 35-0 at halftime.
Stats from the game were not available at press time.
“Obviously, we just weren’t quite ready on some different looks that we were given,” said Hawk head coach Jeremiah Delzer. “We’ve got to be more ready and that obviously starts with me in the preparation, making sure that we’re good on things and that we’re able to do things. Other than that I think we were really close on a lot of different things, kind of like the same message I had last week. We’ve got to stay consistent to our fundamentals and techniques and once we get it, we’re going to get there. It’s just that it doesn’t come on step one and we’ve got more opportunities to prove that.”
The HMS offense was able to make little headway in the first half. “We can’t get to Step B if we aren’t executing Step A very well,” explained Delzer. “It’s a couple of things, especially up front, where, obviously, I need to do a better job of ‘this is what we’re going to do’ and the kids can buy into their techniques and fundamentals and then we’ll get there.”
Late in the third quarter the Hawks began a 70 yard, 15 play drive that culminated in a three yard touchdown run by James Gellerman. Mattis Octmann kicked the extra point.

A sack by Alex Billings and a tackle for loss by Hunter Daggett led to the Falcons punting the ball back to the HMS offense.
Despite a blocking penalty on the punt return, the Hawks moved briskly down the field. On second and 10 from the 12 yard line, quarterback Jack Mastbergen hit Jackson Vogt in the end zone for the touchdown. Octmann again tacked on the extra point.
“I’m really glad we finished those last two drives because it probably shows you a little bit more of the team that we as a coaching staff have seen,” said Delzer. “Our message was: let’s let this second half define the rest of our season, not the first half define the rest of our season. Obviously, we shored up a little bit defensively and we got stops that we needed to and offensively we had a little bit more success in moving the ball.”
Up Next:
The Hawks remain at home for one more week to open up play in Class A District 1 against Alta-Aurelia. The Warriors also went out of the District last week, losing to Kingsley-Pierson 13-8. Alta-Aurelia’s balanced rushing attack totaled 160 yards. Junior quarterback Camden Reinert was just 2-of-7 passing for 39 yards and an interception.
“I don’t know a ton about (Alta-Aurelia) as of yet,” admitted Delzer at the conclusion of the West Sioux game. “I know off their film study last week, they’re going to do similar things to what West Sioux will do. They’re going to give you a lot of different looks and stress the defense. So be ready for a similar type game where we’ve got to be ready with a good defensive gameplan.”
Game time is 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 6 at Hartley.
HMS 0 0 0 14 – 7
WS 14 21 14 0 – 49
First Quarter
1:40 WS – Kolton Koopmans 20 yard pass from Blake Wiggins (Jonathon Flores Topete kick) 0-7
0:58 WS – Gavin Gerritson 12 yard interception return (Topete kick) 0-14
Second Quarter
9:19 WS – Wiggins 21 yard run (Topete kick) 0-21
7:26 WS – Eli Mora 40 yard pass from Koopmans (Topete kick) 0-28
4:34 WS – Dilan Cervantes 15 yard pass from Wiggins (Topete kick) 0-35
Third Quarter
6:10 WS – Wiggins 4 yard run (Topete kick) 0-42
4:28 WS – Mora 24 yard pass from Wiggins (Topete kick) 0-49
Fourth Quarter
8:22 HMS – James Gellerman 3 yard run (Mattis Octmann kick) 7-49
0:06 HMS – Jackson Vogt 12 yard pass from Jack Mastbergen (Octmann kick) 14-49