Lynnville-Sully Hawks Clinch Victory Over Earlham on Senior Night
UPDATE: The Lynnville-Sully Hawks secured a thrilling 20-15 victory against the Earlham Cardinals during their regular-season finale on Senior Night on October 20, 2023. A fast start, featuring touchdowns from Gavin Fisk and Dawson James, propelled the Hawks to victory, ensuring they finish the season with momentum heading into the playoffs.
The game kicked off with a surge from the Hawks, who took an early lead thanks to a 36-yard touchdown run from Fisk and a 1-yard touchdown from James in the first quarter. The scoring continued when James added another 6-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, putting Lynnville-Sully ahead as the game was suspended with 2:39 remaining in the first half due to pre-determined district standings.
Both teams’ administrations confirmed the game as official, with the Hawks finishing the regular season with a record of 7-1 and a perfect 6-0 in Class A District 6 play. Lynnville-Sully will enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed from the district and is set to host Wapello (3-5) at 7 p.m. on October 24 in Sully.
Despite the win, the Hawks faced challenges, including 60 penalty yards. However, their strong performance on both offense and defense proved crucial. Fisk led the rushing attack with 70 yards and one touchdown on seven carries, while James contributed 41 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Quarterback Connor Deal went 3-of-5 for a total of 82 yards through the air, with Jack Bowlin making two receptions for 68 yards.
On the defensive side, James stood out with four tackles, supported by Michael Spooner with 3.5 tackles. The Hawks managed to restrict Earlham’s running game to just 35 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Earlham’s standout player, Cash Eitel, caught a pair of touchdown passes from Brady Reynolds but was unable to prevent the Cardinals from falling to a 3-3 record in district play. The Cardinals now head into the postseason as the No. 4 seed and will face the undefeated and No. 8 ranked Pekin.
The emotional atmosphere of Senior Night was palpable, as 11 seniors were recognized prior to the game, including Bowlin, Richards, Deal, and others. This victory not only marks a significant step for the Hawks but also sets an exciting stage for the upcoming playoff match against Wapello.
As the postseason approaches, all eyes will be on the Hawks to see if they can continue their winning streak and make a deep run in the playoffs. Fans are eagerly anticipating the matchup, which promises to be a thrilling encounter under the lights in Sully.
