Britton-Hecla overcame what Coach Jacob Skogstad called a “sluggish start” to steamroll Waubay-Summit 53-0 in a football contest that ended on the 50-point rule at halftime on Friday.
The Braves, now 5-1, have won five straight since a season-opening loss to unbeaten Hamlin. Skogstad’s crew was scheduled to host Wilmot on Friday but the Wolves have forfeited that game due to lack of numbers. Instead, the local gridders will be hosting Elkton-Lake Benton, who also received a forfeit from Deubrook Area, at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We are more than excited to be able to have a football game this weekend,” said Skogstad., “and it is against one of the best teams in the state. This is a huge opportunity for us to prove that we belong.”
Elkton-Lake Benton also brings a 5-1 record into the contest and is ranked third in the state media poll for Class 9AA. The Braves also received a couple of votes in that poll. The Elks only loss is to top-ranked Freeman-Marion-Freeman Academy 42-28.
The two clubs have played a pair of common opponents. The Braves defeated Waubay-Summit 53-0 and the Elks posted a 59-8 victory. B-H also blanked Great Plains Lutheran 46-0 and E-LB won 48-0.
“Elkton-Lake Benton plays a very aggressive defense,” noted Skogstad. “They send a lot of defensive line twists and linebacker blitzes. They are fast, and physical, so we will need to play sound football and know our blocking assignments each play.
“Offensively, they are very well coached and execute at a high level. We need to stop the run game. Their running back and quarterback are electric back there. They are also explosive in the pass game. We need to keep their quarterbhack, Colt Beck, in the pocket and apply pressure to hopefully force some mistakes. We are super excited and want to see the stands full of loud fans on Friday night!”
Skogstad knows his team will need to bring its’ ‘A’ game this week.
“I thought we came out kind of sluggish last Friday night,” said Skogstad. “We didn’t have the same energy that we are used to, and that isn’t our standard. I thought the second quarter was more on brand for us. Our defense did a great job of setting us up with good field position and we did a great job capitalizing offensively. We need to clean up the holding penalties and offsides. That will be a focal point for us.”
The Braves did tack up 21 first quarter points as Ben Folkman grabbed a 15-yard pass from Jace Rein, Rein broke loose on a 66-yard scamper, and Bryce Hawkinson scored from the one.
Then in the second period the B-H squad ran wild behind senior back Hawkinson who added three more scores from 15, 39, and 43 yards out. Ben Suther added a two-yard score and Tanner Atkinson found the end zone from the 22 to cap a 32-point second quarter outburst.
Britton-Hecla piled up 293 yards on the ground behind 165 from Hawkinson on just 10 carries for a 16-yard per carry average. Rein added 78 more on just two carries.
Once again the Braves turned in a stingy defensive effort as Waubay-Summit was a minus 12 yards on the ground and had just six passing. It marked the third straight game that B-H has not allowed positive yardage on the ground, holding the last three opponents to a total of a minus 80 yards. Jaxon Zuehlke led the way with 8.5 tackles.
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