Prairie du Chien easily handles Dodgeville
Prairie’s Max Amundson makes an open-field tackle Friday night against Dodgeville. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Mason Kramer catches a pass and tries to break away from a Dodgeville defender.
Prairie du Chien’s Bradyn Saint plows forward for extra yardage.
The Blackhawks’ Traeton Saint (30) gets ready to smash into two Dodgeville defenders.
By Zach Mara
Friday night marked Prairie du Chien football’s annual Senior Night, as the Blackhawks (7-1, 5-1) hosted the Dodgeville Dodgers in the Hawks’ final regular-season home game of the 2019 season. The Dodgers (1-7, 1-5) were unable to move the ball consistently as the PdC defense continued its impressive play. After a monster 2nd quarter in which the Blackhawks scored 30 points, Prairie du Chien never looked back en route to a 58-8 rout of Dodgeville in Week 8.
After forcing a 3-and-out to open the game, the Hawks wasted no time getting on the board, driving 58 yards on 7 plays as Traeton Saint found the end zone for his first touchdown of the game. Derek Grondin’s extra point was good, and PdC had jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. After a good kick return set up Dodgeville near midfield, the Dodgers were able to string together a 9-play drive before turning the ball over on downs at the PdC 24-yard line.
The Hawks answered with a 9-play drive of their own, this one for 76 yards and an eventual 3-yard TD run from Tyler Hannah. The PAT was good, increasing the lead to 14-0 to open the second quarter. After another Dodgeville 3-and-out, Traeton Saint found the end zone again, this time from 33 yards out as the Blackhawks added another quick score. The Hawks faked the extra-point, and Dylan Coleman found Colten Wall wide open in the end zone for the 2-point conversion. With over 7 minutes remaining in the first half, PdC held a commanding 22-0 lead. Mason Kramer turned the next Dodger punt into great field position, returning the kick 45 yards down to the 12-yard line of Dodgeville. On the very next play, Coleman found Kramer open for another quick score. Prairie du Chien went for 2 again, and Coleman’s screen pass to Traeton Saint was successful, extending the lead to 30-0. After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt gave Dodgeville another possession from midfield, Ben Riter jumped in front of the QB’s pass to give the Hawks another excellent scoring opportunity. After a 38-yard pass from Coleman to Riter set PdC up on the goal line, Coleman went right back to Riter for a perfectly-executed fade route and another PdC touchdown. The PAT was good, increasing the lead to 37-0 as the game headed into halftime.
The Blackhawks picked up in the 3rd quarter right where they had left off, as Kramer took the second-half kickoff 85 yards to the house, and the Hawks increased their lead to 44-0 after the successful extra point. After forcing a turnover on downs deep in Dodgeville territory, PdC took over on the 10-yard line with just under 9 minutes to go in the quarter. Two plays later, Bradyn Saint plowed his way into the end zone for another PdC score. Grondin remained perfect, nailing the PAT to put the Hawks up 51-0. The Dodgers’ first and only score came off of an 11-play, 66-yard drive on the ensuing possession, capped by a 6-yard TD run from Wylie Hilst. The 2-point pass was successful, bringing the score to 51-8 to open the 4th quarter.
With a running clock now secured for the remainder of the game, Prairie du Chien produced a 7-play, 71-yard drive in which Bradyn Saint recorded his second TD of the game. The extra-point was good, bringing the game to its final score of 58-8.
Leading the Hawks’ rushers was Bradyn Saint who ran the ball 11 times for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. Traeton Saint added 75 yards and 2 TDs, and Tyler Hannah rushed for 50 yards and 1 TD. Dylan Coleman was 7-for-10 in the air for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ben Riter led the receivers with 4 receptions for 62 yards and a TD, and Mason Kramer hauled in 2 passes for 24 yards and 1 TD. Leading the PdC defense was Max Amundson, who recorded 13 tackles for the game. Bradyn Saint contributed 8 tackles, and Aden McCluskey added 7 tackles and 1 sack in the game.
For Senior Night, Prairie du Chien recognized the following seniors for their dedication to PdC Football and their “Team First” attitudes: Dylan Coleman, Jack Amundson, Conner Smith, Traeton Saint, Mason Kramer, Tyler “Truck” Hannah, Kyle MacEachern, Nick Moris, Isaac Avery, Colten Wall, Brice Martin, Jerrod Osterkamp, Ben Riter, and statistician Zach Mara.
The Blackhawks will travel to Platteville on Friday night to face off against the Hillmen (6-2, 5-1) in the final week of conference play. With a win and a River Valley loss, the Blackhawks can claim a share of the 2019 SWC title. Game time is 7 p.m.
