The Central football team earned its first eight-man - district four victory—and second overall this season—with a 73-32 rout of Calamus-Wheatland in the Sept. 10 home opener.
The Warriors’ three-headed offensive attack of Griffen Hammersland, Owen Hammersland and Mason Loan combined for 409 total yards of offense and 10 touchdowns in the win.
Central took a 22-6 lead in the first quarter, including a pair of touchdowns from Loan and one by Owen Hammersland, who capitalized on a Griffen Hammersland interception off Cal-Wheat that set the Warriors up just 10 yards from the goal line.
A quarterback keeper by Griffen Hammersland early in the second quarter grew the Warrior advantage to 28-6, before Calamus-Wheatland cut the lead to 28-12 on a touchdown with three minutes remaining in the half.
Central then fumbled the ball at midfield the next drive. Cal-Wheat took advantage of the miscue, marching into the end zone for a TD and two-point conversion that brought them to within eight points.
The Warriors didn’t let off the gas, however, picking up a Loan touchdown and Griffen Hammersland two-point conversion that gave them a 36-20 cushion heading into halftime.
Central came out of the break with a 45-yard touchdown run courtesy of Griffen Hammersland and a successful two-point attempt by Loan. It set the tone for a dominant second half, in which they out-scored Cal-Wheat 37-12.
Hammersland finished the night 7-for-10 passing, with 115 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 11 times himself, leading the team with 143 rushing yards and scoring a pair of TDs.
Loan amassed 89 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries, and caught four passes for 77 yards—including another touchdown.
Owen Hammersland was a rushing and passing threat as well, picking up 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 10 rushing attempts, then 38 yards and a TD on three receptions.
Calamus-Wheatland found more success through the air, with 281 of their 417 offensive yards coming via receptions. Junior quarterback Blake Trenkamp completed 13 of 24 passes and was also one of the team’s top ball carriers, gaining 43 yards on 12 touches.
Owen Hammersland powered the Central defense with 11 total tackles—7 of them solo efforts—and nabbed a sack. Griffen Hammersland finished the game with 9.5 tackles and an interception. Other tackling leaders included Loan with 6.5, Zane Embretson with 5, then 2 apiece for Samuel Belser and Grant Burns. Embretson also had a sack.
Central remains at home this week, hosting Kee on Friday, Sept. 18. The Hawks are also 2-1, their first loss of the season coming last week against Ed-Co.
