Silver Lake 41, Hiawatha 7

For the second straight season, the Hiawatha football team fell to perennial power Silver Lake in the second round of the Class 3A Playoffs.  The Redhawks had a chance after a quick three-play scoring drive on consecutive passes from Ryker Smith to Conner Bigham pulled Hiawatha within 13-7 and they would get the ball to start the third quarter. However, the quick-strike and potent passing attack of Silver Lake scored two touchdowns in the final 1:50 of the first half for a 28-7 lead at the break.  Ryan Matzke scored on a five-yard run for the Eagles with :06 left in the half after SL All-State linebacker, Johnathan Dallman intercepted a Hiawatha pass.  It was one of three turnovers in the game for the Hawks.  Cody Renfro (9 carries for 71 yards) scored on 6 and 5 yard TD runs in the first quarer as Silver Lake built a 13-0 lead at home.  Dailin Kruger connected with Isaac Pridey on a trio of passing touchdowns in the  game and finished 14 of 28 for 238 yards.  

Hiawatha drove to the Eagles 21 yard line in the first half, but turned the ball over on downs and also failed to score on two second half possessions inside the SL five yard line.  Conner Bigham was the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawtha "Player to Bank On" as he registered an early interceptions on defense for the Hawks only takeaway of the night and also caught 6 passes for 148 yards and a 32 yard TD from Smith, which proved to be Hiawatha's only score.  Bigham ended the year with more than 800 yards receiving and had a reception in every game.  Parker Hasenkamp carried 34 times and reached 100 yards rushing for the second time this season, surpassing 800 yards rushing for the year and carrying a bigger load Saturday night after 1,200 junior back, Brenden Steele, went out in the first half with a neck injury and did not return.  

The Redhawks ended their third straight post-season campaign with a 7-4 overall record and a strong senior class of 12 left their mark with a second playoff winning season.  Silver Lake improved to 10-1 and will battle PItt Colgan in 3A Sectionals next week trying to reach 11-wins for a 9th straight year and hoping to get a rematch against Mid-East League foe, Rossville, who handed the Eagles their only defeat this season.  Silver Lake has played in 10 of the last 11 state championship contests.