HAZEL GREEN — Sophomore running backs Landen Mahoney and Lucas Milz combined to rush for over 350 yards, six touchdowns and six 2-point conversions to help the Black Hawk-Warren Warriors run away with their first victory of the WIAA spring football season. The Warriors defeated Southwestern 56-12 in a COVID Small Conference contest April 1 in Week 2.
Milz carried the ball 17 times for 200 yards with two TDs and four conversions while Mahoney toted it 22 times for 154 yards with four TDs and two conversions.
“I was really pleased with the way we played against Southwestern. The first thing I told the boys after the game was that I was happy, but not satisfied. I explained to them that I was really happy with the results, but not satisfied with where we are at right now,” said Desie Breadon after earning his first head coaching victory with the Warriors. “I feel we can all still improve, coaches included. I thought everyone had put a lot of work in during the week to make improvements and we showed those Thursday night.”
The Warriors (1-1 overall/CSC) weren’t fooling around as the jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter on TD runs of 31, 5 and 7 yards by Mahoney.
Milz added a 15-yard TD jaunt early in the second quarter and Mahoney hit pay dirt from four yards out late in the stanza to put the Warriors ahead 40-6 at the intermission.
“I think the keys to the game were forcing them to punt early in the game, giving us a short field to play on; shutting down their run game to make them one dimensional; and, obviously, our ability to run the ball well,” said Breadon.
Milz tacked on a 17-yard TD run in the third quarter, while senior Ryan Molitor hauled in a 30-yard TD reception from junior quarterback Brayden Bohnsack in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring for the Warriors.
The Wildcats (0-2) came up with both of their scores through the air with junior QB Peerson Kephart connecting with Gavin Jochum on a 25-yard TD strike in the second quarter and Jordan Pergande on a 23-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors finished the night with 461 yards of total offense after rushing 48 times for 397 yards (8.3 ypc.) and adding another 64 passing yards.
On defense, the Warriors held the ‘Cats to minus-10 yards rushing while yielding 193 yards through the air.
“I think the biggest improvement was our offensive line. They were dominant and moved as one unit. They did a much better job getting to the second and third level on blocks,” Breadon said. “The other two areas we made really big improvements on were ball control — not having and losing fumbles — and our pass defense.”
Bohnsack was 2-of-3 passing for 64 yards and a TD. Elijah Shelton had one catch for 34 yards and Molitor had a catch for 30 yards and a score.
Kephart finished 15-of-29 for 193 yards with two TDs and also led the ground attack with eight yards on 10 carries. Jochum made five catches for 90 yards and a TD, while Pergande had two catches for 36 yards and a score.
Next up, the Warriors host league-leading Belleville (2-0) at Warren’s Meridian Park on Friday, April 2.
“Belleville is a good team. They throw the ball well, which sets up runs for them. They are better on offense than I thought they might be at the start of the year. They are aggressive on defense and the linebackers and DBs fill fast. I think their DBs’ run support is the best we’ve seen this season,” said Breadon. “They definitely pose some challenges for us, but I don’t know if they have seen a team as physical as us, which will be a challenge for them.”
