“The key to our success tonight was our ability to run the ball and control the clock keeping the ball out of the hands of a very athletic Hancock team that can score anytime from anywhere,” said Underwood Head Coach Chuck Ross. “We had the ball for 32 minutes compared to their 15 minutes due to the fact of our offensive line play up front and our running backs ran hard. Daxton Olson (7 completions, 13 attempts, 143 yards, 2 TD) threw the ball well and which kept the defense off balanced enough to make the run game successful. Levi Blaskowski (4 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD) had his best night catching the ball and his catch and run for a touchdown, breaking a tackle in the second quarter, gave us some momentum going into the half.” 

Zane Swanson ran for 103 yards on 29 attempts to lead the running game. He also recorded 7.5 tackles. Thomas Noyes and Olson each had an interception for the Rockets, and Wyatt Thorson had a sack. 

“Defensively, we gave up some big plays but for the most part we bended a bit but didn't break,” noted Ross. “Chase Janu (8 solo tackles) had a great night making some big tackles to lead the team. Tom Noyes made a huge play for us with 2:34 left in the game in the end zone that helped seal the win for us.” 

Hancock scored first when Preston Rohloff completed a 12 yard TD pass to Brandon Kellenberger and Sergi Artes Sebastia booted the extra point with 6:53 left in the first quarter.

Olson hit Blaskowski with a 21 yard TD pass and then again for the 2-point conversion as the Rockets took an 8-7 lead just 41 seconds into the second quarter.  At the 4:42 mark, Olson and Blaskowski hooked up again and it was 14-7.  The Owls scored on the big play 41 seconds later when Rohloff connected with Tyler Timmerman for 75 yards, trimming the Rockets lead to 14-13.  A 4 yard run by Noyes with just 24 seconds left in the half increased the lead to 20-13. 

In the third quarter, Olson ran the ball in from 10 yards out and then hit Winston Heifort for the two-point conversion.  Hancock got the final TD of the night as Preston Rohloff completed a pass to Daniel Milander for six yards and a score.

Underwood will host Hillcrest on Friday night.