To start the game it seemed that it would be all Knights. Sophomore Evan Paulson got the start at QB playing for the injured Jaden Norby, and drove the Knights the length of the field, plunging in from the 1-yard line with 6:26 left in the first quarter. An 8 yard TD pass from Paulson to junior Mark Adams, followed by a 2 point grab by Adams, gave the Knights a 14-0 halftime lead.

The third quarter was a back and forth affair but the 4th quarter belonged to the Nuggets. They scored with 9:30 to go in the game on a 2 yard run by Blake Manthe and after Sam Burkel kicked the extra point the Nuggets trailed 14-7. Things got interesting at the end but ultimately the Knights were able to prevail.  Cole Sunde scored on a one yard run with 28 seconds left but the Knights stopped Burkel on the two-point try to preserve the win.

“This was a tough, hard fought battle,” said Knights Head Coach Nate Wood. “It really shows the parity between all the teams in our area. Hawley is a very well coached team that showed excellent sportsmanship throughout the game and after.”

West Central Area ran for106 yards and passed for 59 yards, giving them a total of 165 yards on the night.  Paulson completed 6-of-9 passes for 59 yards.  Anthony Sykora had 15 carries for 71 yards.  Mark Adams (2-16) and Gage Staples (2-15) were the leading receivers for the Knights.  Connor Nadgwick (100 solo tackles, 5 assists, 2 sacks), Jordan Lohse (7 solo tackles) and Hunter Norby (4 solo tackles, 4 assists) led the West Central Area/Ashby defensive effort.

Hawley had 149 rushing yards and 80 yards passing for 229 total yards.  Quarterback Carson Brew completed 5-of-12 passes for 80 yards to lead the Nuggets.  Derian Gerdes ran for 100 yards on 25 attempts and the leading receiver was Burkel with two catches for 38 yards.  Kaden Murphy (4 solo tackles, 2 assists) and Derian Gerdes (2 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 interception) were the defensive leaders for Hawley.