SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk (4-5) and Highland (0-9) went into Thursday's football season finale with nothing but pride on the line. Pride, and maybe health.
With temperatures hovering in the upper 30s with a heavy rain and wind, it wasn't long before the field and players were soaked from head to toe. Despite the conditions and 24 combined fumbles, the Warriors prevailed with a 25-0 win.
"This was by far the most fun I've ever had in a game," Black Hawk senior Grant Roper said. "It's the last game and we're going all out. Highland was having a blast out there, too. Both teams were chatting it up like we had been friends for 12 years instead of just one game."
Black Hawk coach Cory Milz also said his players enjoyed playing in the wet and cold environment.
"The guys commented that it was a fun game with no pressure. It was just two teams out there playing for fun in inclement weather. They had a blast and it was fun to see them get a win one last time," he said.
"This is one of those games that you don't get a chance to play very often. The kids were really excited to just get out there and play in this slop. It probably wasn't one of the prettiest things to watch, but I'm sure the parents are glad to see their kids out there one last time."
Black Hawk got on the board midway through the first quarter. After forcing one of 13 Cardinal fumbles, eight of which were turnovers, Black Hawk had the ball at Highland's 25-yard line. On the Warriors' third play of the drive on third-and-seven, senior running back Cody Foster ran 22 yards for the score with 7 minutes, 54 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Black Hawk then forced a turnover on downs, and on its first offensive play of the possession, Foster ran 59 yards to paydirt. The run pushed Foster over 1,000 rushing yards this season.
"I wouldn't have gotten 1,000 yards if it wasn't for my linemen. They block and open up holes for me," Foster said. "It was one of my personal goals before the season, and I thank my team that I could get it."
After Foster's three years on the team, it was a nice accomplishment, Milz said.
"That's a compliment to him. He's been a great player for us over the last three years and I'm glad to see that he got that," he said.
Black Hawk led 12-0 at halftime, and added two more third-quarter scores.
Foster keyed the Warriors' first possession of the second half with a 17-yard run to the 1-yard line. The next play, he took it in for the score. Foster then nailed the only extra point of the night, though the line-drive kick caromed off the bar 30 feet into the air and through the posts to give Black Hawk a 19-0 lead with 7:19 left in the third.
Foster finished with 130 yards on 15 rushes. The Warriors had 182 offensive yards, yet fumbled 11 times, losing six.
A few drives later, Roper got his final touchdown on a three-yard run with 1:08 left in the game.
"We actually changed the play to get him an opportunity to get in there and score," Milz said. "He's really come on as of late. He got going a little late because of some military duties early in the year, but he finally got his chance at running back and he did a really nice job."
"It was amazing. It's a great feeling. Not many people can say they ended (their career) with a win," Roper said.
With temperatures hovering in the upper 30s with a heavy rain and wind, it wasn't long before the field and players were soaked from head to toe. Despite the conditions and 24 combined fumbles, the Warriors prevailed with a 25-0 win.
"This was by far the most fun I've ever had in a game," Black Hawk senior Grant Roper said. "It's the last game and we're going all out. Highland was having a blast out there, too. Both teams were chatting it up like we had been friends for 12 years instead of just one game."
Black Hawk coach Cory Milz also said his players enjoyed playing in the wet and cold environment.
"The guys commented that it was a fun game with no pressure. It was just two teams out there playing for fun in inclement weather. They had a blast and it was fun to see them get a win one last time," he said.
"This is one of those games that you don't get a chance to play very often. The kids were really excited to just get out there and play in this slop. It probably wasn't one of the prettiest things to watch, but I'm sure the parents are glad to see their kids out there one last time."
Black Hawk got on the board midway through the first quarter. After forcing one of 13 Cardinal fumbles, eight of which were turnovers, Black Hawk had the ball at Highland's 25-yard line. On the Warriors' third play of the drive on third-and-seven, senior running back Cody Foster ran 22 yards for the score with 7 minutes, 54 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Black Hawk then forced a turnover on downs, and on its first offensive play of the possession, Foster ran 59 yards to paydirt. The run pushed Foster over 1,000 rushing yards this season.
"I wouldn't have gotten 1,000 yards if it wasn't for my linemen. They block and open up holes for me," Foster said. "It was one of my personal goals before the season, and I thank my team that I could get it."
After Foster's three years on the team, it was a nice accomplishment, Milz said.
"That's a compliment to him. He's been a great player for us over the last three years and I'm glad to see that he got that," he said.
Black Hawk led 12-0 at halftime, and added two more third-quarter scores.
Foster keyed the Warriors' first possession of the second half with a 17-yard run to the 1-yard line. The next play, he took it in for the score. Foster then nailed the only extra point of the night, though the line-drive kick caromed off the bar 30 feet into the air and through the posts to give Black Hawk a 19-0 lead with 7:19 left in the third.
Foster finished with 130 yards on 15 rushes. The Warriors had 182 offensive yards, yet fumbled 11 times, losing six.
A few drives later, Roper got his final touchdown on a three-yard run with 1:08 left in the game.
"We actually changed the play to get him an opportunity to get in there and score," Milz said. "He's really come on as of late. He got going a little late because of some military duties early in the year, but he finally got his chance at running back and he did a really nice job."
"It was amazing. It's a great feeling. Not many people can say they ended (their career) with a win," Roper said.
