River Valley tops Prairie du Chien
By Zach Mara
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks hosted the River Valley Blackhawks on Friday night in each team’s SWC opener. Valley (2-1, 1-0) was able to combine a steady run game with a couple of long passing plays to move the ball down field consistently en route to an 18-7 victory over Prairie du Chien (2-1, 0-1).
The game started out slowly with a long drive from the V-Hawks that was stalled by Mason Kramer, who recorded his sixth interception of the season deep in PdC territory. After a Blackhawk punt, River Valley scored their first touchdown on a 7-play, 64-yard drive capped by a 13-yard TD to leading receiver Josh Maier. After the missed extra point, PdC would answer quickly as QB Dylan Coleman took the opening play of the ensuing drive 65 yards into the endzone for his first rushing TD of the season. Derek Grondin added the PAT to give the Blackhawks a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The V-Hawks appeared to be well on their way to another score as they drove all the way down to the PdC 5-yard line before being stalled and missing a 33-yard field goal after a 7:17 drive. PdC was unable to answer, however, as their next drive ended with a punt from midfield. River Valley wasted no time, scoring four plays later on a 41-yard TD pass to WR Jack Miexelsperger. The 2-point try was stopped by the Blackhawks, but RV held a 12-6 lead heading into halftime.
After an interception ended a long PdC drive, Valley drove the ball down the field on nine plays to add 6 points to the board on a 3-yard TD run from Zach Gloudeman. The 2-point attempt was again stuffed by the Hawks to hold the score at 18-6.
The fourth quarter would go quietly as neither team was able to put points up on the board, and River Valley secured an 18-6 victory over Prairie du Chien.
Tyler Hannah led PdC in rushing with 9 carries for 50 yards. QB Dylan Coleman added a rushing TD and a net 42 yards. Coleman completed 6 of 15 passes for 45 yards and 2 interceptions in the game. Ben Riter led the receivers, hauling in 3 passes for 28 yards. Leading the defense was once again Tyler Hannah, who recorded 15 tackles. Riter added 12 tackles of his own.
Prairie du Chien travels to Westby this Friday to take on the Norsemen (0-3, 0-1) in another SWC battle. Game time is 7 p.m.