Warroad at Hawley

Recap

Warroad at Hawley

Noah Nelson ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as Hawley defeated Warroad 37-29 Tuesday in the opening round of the Section 8AA football playoffs in Hawley.

The Nuggets had to hold on for the win as Warroad’s Conner Lund scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, including a 94 yard score to give the Warriors a chance at forcing overtime.  But after Hawley turned the ball over on downs with 2:21 to play, Hawley’s Charlie Steer intercepted a Liam Grover pass to seal Hawley’s victory.

Hawley scored on all four first half possessions, with Nelson running for an 8 yard score, passing to Levi Lelm for a 10 yard TD, then running for 3 and 28 yard touchdowns.  Warroad’s only response was a one yard TD run by Lund that briefly tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter.  The Nuggets led 29-7 at intermission.

In the third quarter, Hawley’s Grady Hines scored on a 4 yard run to give the Nuggets a 37-7 lead with 6:18 to go in the quarter.  Warroad came back with an 11 play, 74 yard drive that ended as Grover scored on a 4 yard run to make it a 37-14 game late in the third quarter.

Then in the fourth, Lund burst through to score on a 55 yard run. Parker Moes’s PAT put Warroad to within 37-21 with 8:46 to play.  Then after Hawley drove from their own 25 yard line to Warroad’s 11, backup quarterback Brody Hadley fumbled and the Warriors recovered at their own 11 yard line with 3:52 to play. After a 5 yard penalty for a false start, Lund galloped 94 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown. Lund ran for the 2 point conversion to put Warroad in striking distance at 37-29 with 3:36 to play.

An attempted onside kick failed, Hawley took possession, but could not get a first down.  While going for it on fourth down, Nelson fumbled and Warroad took over on downs with 2:21 to play at the Nuggets 48. Lund lost 4 yards on first down, then Grover’s pass was intercepted by Steer with 1:53 to play, sealing Hawley’s victory.

Noah Nelson completed 6 of 11 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown for Hawley (6-3), while rushing 9 times for 56 yards and 3 TDs.   Levi Lelm caught 3 passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Warroad freshman Lund gained 222 yards on 14 carries.  Grover completed 4 of 7 passes for 10 yards with one interception, while rushing 8 times for 23 yards and a score.

Hawley will travel to Pelican Rapids Saturday afternoon in the 8AA semifinals.  Warroad ends the season 2-7.

comments from Hawley coach Peder Naatz