Kee outlasted Central 80-52 in an offensive slugfest at the Dittmer Sports Complex on Sept. 18. The loss dropped the Warriors to 1-2 in district football play and 2-2 overall.
The teams ended the first quarter tied 14-14, before Kee began to pull away, out-scoring the Warriors 28-12 in the second quarter for a 42-26 halftime lead.
The Hawks also opened the second half in the end zone, growing their advantage to 50-26, but Central never backed down. Junior Griffen Hammersland snagged an interception on Kee’s following drive, and soon after connected with Mason Loan on a 74-yard touchdown reception that brought the Warriors to within two scores, at 50-34, with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.
Although Kee countered with another scoring drive, making it 56-34, Central continued to fight. Early in the fourth quarter, Warrior Samuel Belser recovered a Hawk fumble in the end zone, cutting the lead to 56-40. Zane Embretson then recovered a Central onside kick at midfield, giving the Warriors the ball back.
While the team eventually had to punt that drive, the defense held steady and kept Kee off the board. On Central’s next drive, Hammersland broke free for a 59-yard touchdown that put the team down just 10 points, at 56-46, with 8:43 remaining.
Unfortunately, that’s as close as the Warriors would get. The Hawks punched in another touchdown, then added a pick six that, with a two-point conversion, upped the margin to 72-46. After Central scored midway though the quarter, Kee picked up one more TD and a safety to conclude their offense for the night.
The Hawks finished the game with 430 yards of offense, including a 9-for-15 showing from senior quarterback Trey Cota, who racked up 163 yards and three touchdowns. Junior running back Irey Metille was also lethal for the Hawks, powering his way to 190 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries.
With 452 yards overall, Central actually out-gained Kee. Hammersland was integral in much of that, completing nine of 22 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. He threw three interceptions. Hammersland gained another 131 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Loan was Hammersland’s top receiving threat, catching five passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. The junior also ran the ball nine times for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Owen Hammersland earned 22 yards on seven rushing attempts and caught three receptions for 30 yards. Freshman Nolan Lembke also grabbed a 29-yard catch.
Griffen Hammersland showed his all-around versatility on defense as well, leading the Warriors with 13 total tackles—12 of them solo efforts. Loan followed with 9 tackles, Owen Hammersland 7, Grant Burns 6.5 and Isaiah Burns 5.5, including a sack.
Central forced three turnovers, with fumble recoveries by Belser and Zane Embretson, as well as the interception by Hammersland.
The Warriors will head back on the road this week, taking on Springville on Friday, Sept. 25.
