Lynnville-Sully Hawks Secure Senior Night Victory Over Earlham

The Lynnville-Sully Hawks clinched a thrilling 20-15 victory over the Earlham Cardinals in their regular-season finale held on Senior Night. The game featured a strong start from the Hawks, with early touchdowns from Gavin Fisk and Dawson James setting the tone for the evening. This win solidified the Hawks’ position as the No. 1 seed from District 6 as they head into the postseason.

Strong Performance by Hawks

In the first quarter, Fisk opened the scoring with a dynamic 36-yard touchdown run. Shortly after, James secured a 1-yard touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion from Connor Deal to Jack Bowlin, giving the Hawks a solid lead. James further extended the advantage with another touchdown, a 6-yard run, just before halftime.

The game, which was suspended with 2:39 remaining in the first half, was officially concluded due to prior determinations of district placings agreed upon by both schools. Lynnville-Sully’s victory marked their second consecutive win over Earlham, continuing their momentum after a challenging start to the season that saw them lose to 1A No. 6 Pleasantville in Week 1.

Postseason Outlook

With a record of 7-1 and an undefeated 6-0 in district play, the Hawks are set to face the Wapello Indians, who finished the regular season with a 3-5 record. The playoff match is scheduled for 19:00 on October 24, 2023, in Sully. Wapello, once promising with a 5-1 start, will be looking to rebound after losing their final two games against Van Buren and Danville.

Throughout the match, the Hawks demonstrated their strength despite facing some challenges. The team was penalized for a total of 60 yards, but still managed to outgain the Cardinals, demonstrating their resilience. Fisk led the Hawks’ rushing attack with 70 yards and one touchdown on seven carries, while James contributed 41 yards and two scores from six carries. Deal completed three of five passes for 82 yards, with Bowlin making two receptions for 68 yards.

On the defensive side, James stood out with four tackles, aided by Michael Spooner with 3.5 tackles and others contributing significantly. The Hawks succeeded in limiting Earlham’s offense, restricting them to just 35 rushing yards on 17 attempts.

Prior to the game, the Lynnville-Sully community honored their 11 seniors, including Bowlin, Richards, Deal, Spooner, Johnson, Dawson James, Wyatt Mathis, Landyn Fisk, Ben Squires, Boston Agan, and Evan Van Zee. Their leadership and contributions have been crucial in guiding the team through a successful season.

The Hawks are poised for a promising postseason, aiming to build on their recent successes and capitalize on their strong finish to the regular season.