Week 4: Stockton vs Galena
Galena -
A game featuring the two oldest teams in the conference was a game that also saw the revitalization of a rivalry, as Stockton and Galena would face off for the first time since the 2015 playoffs. Both teams combine for over 1,100 wins, which ranks them 1 and 2 all-time in conference history.
The Blackhawks would slowly take control of the game, as they put away the Pirates 26-0 to improve to 3-1. After a scoreless 1st quarter, the Hawks would score with 5:43 left in the first half, as Jason Hermann would rush the ball for 3 yards. The two point try was unsuccessful, but Stockton had the lead 6-0; a lead they would take into half.
In the third quarter, the Hawks would find the scoreboard again, this time on the legs of Hunter Hille from yards out. With a failed extra point try, Stockton would have a 12-0 lead with 6:08 left in the third quarter. The Hawks would continue to pound the ball in the 4th quarter, as they would score two more times, as Jason Hermann picked up his second rushing touchdown of the game, and less than a 1:30 later, Wyatt Raab would find pay-dirt with a 16 yard touchdown run.
The Blackhawks would control the clocking by running the ball. Of their 58 plays, 54 came on the ground as they held the ball for 26 minutes plus on the night. They would rush the ball for 314 yards, as Jason Hermann would lead all rushers with 131 yards on 27 carries and 2 TD. Hunter Hille would chip in 112 yards rushing on 15 carries and 1 touchdown. Garrett Buske was 3-4 passing for 62 yards, hitting Andrew Haas twice for 37 yards.
The Pirates were led by Ethan Hefel, who had 70 yards rushing on just 2 carries. Hefel would also add 32 yards passing, going 2 for 6. Henry Anderson was 5 for 13 passing for 50 yards, while rushing the ball for 9 yards.
Stockton (3-1) will return home to renew another rivalry next week as they play host to the Lena-Winslow Panthers (4-0). Galena fell to 0-4, and they will travel to Durand next week to play Du-Pec (3-1).