×

Gaels can’t find answer for West Hancock

BRITT — West Hancock’s control of Class A football remains strong despite the loss of several starters from last year’s run to the state title.

The ninth-ranked Eagles proved that here Friday night, rolling to a convincing 55-14 victory over St. Edmond.

Cole Kelly, part of the rushing attack last season that racked up over 5,000 yards, had 187 yards and five touchdowns to spearhead the attack. Kelly, a senior, has scored nine times over the past two games as West Hancock has now won three in a row.

“They are just a good football program,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “They have been for a very long time. Yes, they lost a lot, but those kids are big, strong and fast. After watching film on Kelly coming into the week, he impressed me even more in person.

“Our kids knew this would be a challenge and we were dealt some adversity. But we’ll regroup and learn from this.”

Kelly found the end zone three times in the first quarter alone, racking up 113 yards in the process. He did not have a carry in the second half as the Eagles finished with 458 yards rushing as a team.

West Hancock also received a defensive touchdown on an interception from Rylan Barnes to end the opening quarter and answered the first St. Edmond (3-1 overall, 1-1 in district) score with Braden Walk returning the ensuing kickoff back.

The Eagle defense also recorded four sacks, including one from Kelly.

“There is a reason they are a consistent contender for both the playoffs and a state title,” Dillon said. “They don’t do anything real fancy, but what they do, they do it very, very well.”

Since the start of the 2015 season, West Hancock has won 47 games overall, finishing each of the past six seasons with at least five victories.

Entering the night, St. Edmond ranked among the state leaders in offense after racking up 144 points in three games. They finally cracked the scoreboard in the fourth when Sean Flattery broke free for a 32-yard TD run.

Flattery, who finished with 43 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving, also recovered a fumble on defense.

Drew Schaeffer found Parker Oswald later in the quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass for his 17th career scoring strike.

The Gaels return home next Friday to face Manson Northwest Webster, who faces North Union Saturday after being sidelined due to COVID-19. West Hancock is at Alta-Aurelia.

SE WH

First Downs 11 23

Rushes-Yards 32-79 46-458

Passing 169 0

Comp-Att-Int 8-18-1 0-0-0

Total Offense 248 458

Punts-Avg. 6-32.0 1-37.0

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1

Penalties-Yards 3-25 7-75

St. Edmond 0 0 0 14– 14

West Hancock 27 14 7 7–55

Scoring Summary

West Hancock — Cole Kelly (35-yard run), 9:34 left in first. Kick failed.

West Hancock — Kelly (4-yard run), 4:06 left in first. Ben Martinez kick.

West Hancock — Kelly (18-yard run), :36 left in first. Martinez kick.

West Hancock — Rylan Barnes (53-yard interception return), :00 left in first. Martinez kick.

West Hancock — Kelly (39-yard run), 9:13 left in second. Martinez kick.

West Hancock — Kelly (12-yard run), 1:18 left in second. Martinez kick.

West Hancock — Mathew Francis (23-yard run), 9:17 left in third. Martinez kick.

St. Edmond — Sean Flattery (32-yard run), 8:13 left in fourth. Thornton Aljets kick.

West Hancock — Braden Walk (83-yard kickoff return), 8:01 left in fourth. Martinez kick.

St. Edmond — Parker Oswald (13-yard pass from Drew Schaeffer), 5:13 left in fourth. Aljets kick.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing — St. Edmond: Tyler Rossmanith 10-46, Sean Flattery 6-43, Kase Baker 7-2, Thornton Aljets 3-0, Drew Schaeffer 6-(minus-12). West Hancock: Cole Kelly 16-187, Mathew Francis 11-110, Kane Zuehl 7-78, Kale Zuehl 5-54, Jackson Johnson 4-33, Cayson Barnes 1-0, Team 2-(minus-4).

Passing — St. Edmond: Drew Schaeffer 8-18-1-169. West Hancock: Cayson Barnes 0-0-0-0, Rhett Eisenman 0-0-0-0.

Receiving — St. Edmond: Parker Oswald 4-90, Sean Flattery 2-70, Anthony Lacina 1-15, Kase Baker 1-4.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today