“Friday was a tough night for us physically,” commented Hillcrest Head Coach Korey Fry. “Hancock was the aggressive team from start to finish. Offensively, we just couldn't get going and against a team like that, we have to move the ball and keep them off the field. Defensively, we made improvements from last week, but we are still very young and lost focus on our assignments within the game.” 

Davin Rose got the scoring started with a 6-yard touchdown run and then hit Titus Bjerketvedt with the two-point conversion pass for an 8-0 Hancock lead early in the first quarter.  A 5-yard run by Chase Evink pushed the lead to 14-0.

In the second quarter, Jackson Koehl ran the ball into the end zone from 2 yards out and Brayden Kisgen hauled in a two-point conversion pass from Rose for a 22-0 lead for the Owls.  Dain Schroeder then crossed the goal line on a 15-yard run and Rose hit Koehl for the two-point conversion giving the Owls a 30-0 lead.  Hillcrest got on the board with a 66-yard scoring toss from Erik Bjorndahl to Gabe Swedenberg and booted the extra point, leaving the halftime score at 30-7, Hancock.

In the third quarter, Rose connected with Koehl for a 55-yard TD pass and then Rose scored on a 10 yard run before hitting Koehl for the two-point conversion pass and a 44-7 lead.

A 35-yard TD run by Evan Lindgren in the fourth quarter ended the scoring with the successful extra point kick putting the final score at Hancock 44, Hillcrest 14.

“We saw quite a few young guys get action early in the game,” reported Coach Fry. “Defensively, sophomore Thor Ewan played very well recording 4 tackles and 2 assists.  Sophomore Zander Johnson started his 1st career varsity game at LB. Freshmen DB Griffin Haus and Trey Swedendberg play vital roles as well.” 

Rose completed 19-of-33 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown, while running the ball 9 times for 80 yards and a pair of TD’s.  Evink had 79 rushing yards on 13 attempts and scored one touchdown.  Koehl had a team high 8 receptions for 154 yards and a score.  Defensively, Evink led the way with 9 tackles and also had a fumble recovery.  Schroeder picked off a pass and Koehl was in on 8 tackles.  The Owls had 532 total yards, 311 passing and 221 rushing.

Hillcrest finished with 119 yards passing and 73 rushing yards for a total of 192 yards.  Bjorndahl completed 10-of-21 passes for 145 yards and Swedenberg caught 3 passes for 85 yards to lead the Comets passing attack.  Lindgren carried the ball 17 times for 54 yards and led the defense with 10 tackles.  Micah Bermel added 9 tackles, Cole Peterson recorded 6 tackles and had an interception, and Alex Johnson added 7 tackles, including a sack.

“Our goal is to stay consistent and on schedule for four quarters,” added Fry. “If we can do that we will be able to put ourselves in a good position.”

Hillcrest will face off against the Section Champs, Wheaton/Herman/Norcross in Wheaton Friday.