Mid-Prairie Powerball

Golden Hawks score 2nd straight shutout; Williamsburg is next

By Paul D. Bowker
Posted 9/23/20

In many ways, the dress rehearsal was last Friday night at Mid-Prairie High School.

Right after the Golden Hawks finished off a dominating 55-0 victory over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, the …

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Mid-Prairie Powerball

Golden Hawks score 2nd straight shutout; Williamsburg is next

Posted

In many ways, the dress rehearsal was last Friday night at Mid-Prairie High School.

Right after the Golden Hawks finished off a dominating 55-0 victory over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, the conservation topic switched immediately to this week and a challenging opportunity in Williamsburg.

The Golden Hawks, who have won their last two games by a combined count of 104 to nothing, face Class 2A District 7 rival Williamsburg for a likely district championship. Both teams are unbeaten after two district games, and after Friday just two more district games remain.

Mid-Prairie lost its chance at a postseason berth last year with a loss to Williamsburg despite defeating every other district opponent.

“Going into next week, obviously a big week,” Mid-Prairie head coach Pete Cavanagh said after last week’s game. “It’s a different level of opponent, but it’s still nice to play well in these games like this.”

Cavanagh began to pull his starters in the second quarter of a game that was decided early against E-B-F, but still senior running back Kayden Reinier managed to run for 150 yards and dance into the end zone four times. Over the last two games, Reinier has scored nine touchdowns.

The Golden Hawks churned out 362 yards and six touchdowns on the ground a week after they had 447 yards against Central Lee.

“We got off to a good start,” Cavanagh said. “Defensively, I think we played pretty well up front. I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”

Justice Jones, a junior, led Mid-Prairie defensively with four tackles, but the work was well spread out defensively and offensively as the Golden Hawks backups pitched in.

“We have a lot of depth at certain positions, so it’s nice to get them some playing time,” Cavanagh said.

Among those getting that playing time was Cavanagh’s son, Will, at quarterback. Starting quarterback Vinnie Bowlin completed 4-of-7 passes for 43 yards before Will Cavanagh and Bowlin rotated late in the second quarter. Will Cavanagh completed all three passes he attempted, for 59 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to Reinier, nine other Golden Hawks carried the ball on running plays, led by Tyler Helmuth rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown, and Cael Garvey rushing for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Keegan Gingerich scored on a 94-yard kickoff return and averaged 20-yard returns on punts.

The Golden Hawks led 35-0 late in the second quarter, which sent the game into a running clock in the second half.

All that remained was to celebrate the dress rehearsal and prepare for a trip to Williamsburg, which is also the Golden Hawks’ first road game of the season.

While a district title is likely up for grabs Friday night, a playoff spot, unless past year, won’t be at stake. Due to revised football schedules across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Mid-Prairie had one game canceled thus far), all schools regardless of records will make the postseason in all classes.

Friday’s game will play a part in determining Mid-Prairie’s seeding for the Class 2A playoffs, which begin Oct. 16.

 

STAT LEADERS

Rushing: Kayden Reinier, 9 carries, 150 yards, 4 TDs; Tyler Helmuth 10-98, 1 TD; Cael Garvey, 3-32, 1 TD; Will Cavanagh, 3-24; Collin Miller, 4-20.

Passing: Cavanagh, 3-of-3, 59 yards, 1 TD; Bowlin, 4-of-7, 43 yards.

Defense: Justice Jones, 4 tackles; Cain Brown, 3.5 tackles, 1 interception; Terry Bordenave, 3.5 tackles.

Next game: Friday, at Williamsburg, 7:30 p.m.