Warriors wrap football season with most program wins since 2016

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

Edgewood-Colesburg proved why it’s the sixth-ranked team in eight-player football on Oct. 17, scoring a dominant 70-6 victory over visiting Central.

The Warriors were trailing just 8-6 after the first quarter when the Vikings unleashed 38 points in the second quarter alone, rolling into halftime with a 46-6 lead. Ed-Co then continued to tack on with two more touchdowns in the third quarter and one in the fourth.

"We started off the game on a great note, chewing up the clock and scoring on our first offensive drive, and forcing them to a three and out on theirs. We ended the 1st quarter in a great position, but let things slip away from us from there," said Central Head Coach J.W. Downs.

Sophomore quarterback Jax Steger led the lethal Ed-Co offense, totaling 108 yards and four touchdowns on eight rushing attempts, to go with seven of nine passing for 107 yards and another two TDs. Senior Carter Ingles added another 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Vikings. 

The Central defense earned 16 total tackles against this offensive onslaught, with 5 coming from Owen Hammersland. George Reimer picked up 3 tackles and Max Fettkether and Mason Loan each had 2. 

The Viking defense limited Warrior quarterback Griffen Hammersland to 71 yards on 8 of 18 passing, with one interception. Jake Hertrampf was the top target, bringing down three catches for 40 yards.

The ground game was also stifled. Four runners—G. Hammersland, O. Hammersland, Reimer and Loan—combined for just 102 yards. Loan scored the only Warrior touchdown.

Central concluded the regular season 4-4—one more win than a year ago and the program’s best finish since an 8-3 record in 2016. The Warriors were 3-3 in the Eight-player - District 4 standings, just a spot out of the playoffs behind Ed-Co, Easton Valley and Springville.

After the game, Downs encouraged players to look at the program from a bigger perspective than just this season—especially the seniors.

"It's sometimes tough to see it in the heat of the season, but this year's senior class didn't even have a varsity season their freshman year. They had zero wins their sophomore year, and then grew from three wins last year to four this year," Downs said. "While we didn't have the end result we wanted this year, that's still phenomenal growth. This was the first year in a while that we did not have a losing varsity season."

"On that note," added Downs, "we also have to learn how to handle success just as we do failure. Starting off the season as well as we did can cause a lot of external pressure. I believe that, moving forward, this program is heading in  the right direction, and we will continue to build and learn from previous years."

Outside wins and losses, Downs was proud of the Warriors' ability to achieve the program's #1 goal: "To be the best teammate we can be, and continue to get better at that every day."

"These boys learned how to play together as one, and that is a huge step in the right direction. We had some highs and lows this year, but we are able to accomplish a lot of milestones and achieve multiple goals," Downs said. "Falling just short of the playoffs this year is just extra motivation to get better in the offseason, as players and as coaches, and make next season even better. Most importantly, our players were able to have fun. To bring an enjoyable experience, and make memories that will last a lifetime, is my goal as a head coach."

Downs appreciated the support of assistant coaches Mitch Seitz, Josh Embretson, Jammie Hammersland and Blake Rodenberg, most of whom volunteer their time with the program.

"It's due to their time, sacrifice and dedication that our program is able to make leaps and bounds in the direction we want, and see the success that we did. I am forever grateful for them, and there's no one I'd rather have on the sideline with me on Friday nights," Downs said. "With that being said, I want to take some time to thank the families of all the coaches, including my own. They also sacrifice so much for these guys to spend their time with the program and myself to help us grow and be successful."

Downs further acknowledged the support from students, staff, parents, junior high and youth coaches and community members/businesses.

"It truly takes a village to have a successful sports program, and every single person plays a vital role in our success. I have been blessed as a head coach to have such a great village these past two years, and I can't wait to see what next year brings with the continued support from such a strong village," he said.