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Hawks ‘hurry’ past Comets 47-7

Hawks 'hurry' past Comets 47-7
Press photo by John Burbridge
Charles City sophomore Tino Tamayo punts from the shadow of his goal line as Marcus Cranshaw provides backfield protection during the Comets’ home game against West Delaware on Friday. The punt netted 52 yards and placed the Hawks back into Comet territory, but WD went on to score on the subsequent possession on way to winning 47-7.

By John Burbridge
sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Maybe the West Delaware Hawks needed to be back in Manchester, about 100 miles away, before midnight.

That might explain the hurry-up offense they employed with expedient efficiency against Charles City while winning big over the Comets 47-7 last Friday.

For the Hawks, it was their second-straight victory which kept their slim playoff hopes alive as now they are 4-4 and 2-2 in Class 3A-District 3 play.

Charles City, which lost its fourth straight, fell to 2-6 and 0-4.

Playing on mascot analogies, it may be too simple to say that the Hawks “soared” to victory. Though WD quarterback Jared Voss averaged nearly 7 yards a passing attempt while throwing for 77 yards through the air, the Hawks for the most part churned out yardage on the ground in “blitzkrieg” fashion.

With their offensive line getting right back into attack formation mere seconds after the previous play was whistled dead, West Delaware was able to quickly march down the field while giving Charles City’s defense nary a chance to make substitutions.

That resulted in 405 yards rushing for West Delaware.

Cael Meyer had 149 of that total on 21 carries, including touchdown runs of 21 and 28 yards.

Wyatt Voelker added 127 yards on just 11 carries, including touchdown runs of 38 and 3 yards.

You can say it took West Delaware’s offense a while to get going because it took a while before the Hawks even got the ball.

Attacking up the gut with junior fullback Trever Heitz, the Comets were able to reset several sets of downs on their opening possession before opting to punt it away. But an unsportsmanlike penalty by West Delaware kept the drive alive for Charles City, then a fumble recovery by Charles City sophomore Trimel Christian during a subsequent punt put the Comets at the WD 15-yard line.

But Charles City was unable to capitalize as the Hawks finally got the ball and marched down the length of the field scoring on Meyer’s 21-yard run with six seconds remaining in the first quarter.

With the return of Marcus Cranshaw at quarterback after relieving Mario Hoefter in the second half, and the return of receiver/wingback Ian Collins after a shoulder injury sidelined him for two games, the Comets were able to move the ball through the air and eventually got on the board with a 3-yard run by Jeremiah Chapman with 2:20 left in the third quarter.

Cranshaw was 4 of 10 passing for 62 yards — all completions were to Collins, who also led the Comets with 10 solo tackles.

Heitz, who had 48 yards on 12 carries, Cael Bohlen and Colton Crooks all were credited with solo tackles for losses for the Comet defense.

Cranshaw and Hoefer each had interceptions.

Comet punter Tino Tamayo sent the Hawks back 192 yards on five punts, including one that netted 52 yards.

Comet placekicker Kaleb Byers was good on his lone PAT kick as he remains perfect (8 of 8) for the season.

The Comets will end the season at home while hosting Waverly-Shell Rock (2-6, 1-3).


WEST DELAWARE 47, CHARLES CITY 7
Scoring By Quarters

WEST DELAWARE 6 21 7 13 — 47
CHARLES CITY 0 0 7 0 — 7
Scoring Summary
WD — Cael Meyer 21-yard run (Kick failed) 6-0, :06 1st
WD — Wyatt Voelker 44-yard run (Jared Voss run) 14-0, 9:21 2nd
WD — Meyer 28-yard run (Ben Petlon kick) 21-0, 7:03 2nd
WD — Voss 16-yard run (Kick failed) 27-0, :34 2nd
WD — Voelker 3-yard run (Petlon kick) 34-0, 8:31 3rd
CC — Jeremiah Chapman 3-yard run (Kaleb Byers kick) 34-7, 2:20 3rd
WD — Alias Underwood 14-yard run (Kick failed) 40-7, 4:53 4th
WD — Jadyn Peyton 26-yard run (Petlon kick) 47-7, 2:27 4th

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