After just coming up short the past couple of years in the 8-Man DI State title game the Hanover Wildcats put no doubt in the 8-Man DII State title on Saturday to capture their first State title since 2009 beating Dighton 68-22. 

Dighton received to start the game and behind a big return to start the game set themselves up for a scoring that they converted against Hanover on a five-yard touchdown run to make it 6-0 early. Hanover visited the endzone for the first time in the game after getting an interception of Dighton and Will Bruna connected with Kevin Diederich for 25-yard touchdown making 6-6 with 5:44 left in the first quarter. The Hornets of Dighton fumbled it shortly after the Wildcats tied the game and gave it back to Hanover on what was the second turnover of what would be six for Dighton on the day. Bruna found Adam Fritschi for a 13-yard touchdown pass and with the two-point conversion made it 14-6. 

A 22-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion with just over 10 minutes left in the first half by Dighton tied the game at 14-14, the Wildcats however would do the rest of the scoring in the first half with the final 20 points of the half to lead 34-14 at intermission. Hanover notched a pair of three-yard Carter Bruna touchdown runs, along with seven-yard touchdown pass from Bruna to Diederich. 

The end of the first momentum for Hanover carried over for Hanover as they outscored Dighton 34-8 in the second half to earn the win by point rule finishing the contest with 7:36 left on the clock to claim the 8-Man DII State title. Diederich had a four-yard touchdown run in the second half which made it 42-14, Dighton got their only second half score on a 30-yard hook and ladder play to make it 42-22 with five minutes left in the third quarter. A Diederich 10-yard touchdown run and Carter Bruna one-yard scoring run made it 54-22 after three quarters. Carter Bruna scored his fourth touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter and then Diederich picked off a pass took it back 14-yards for a touchdown to seal the game 68-22 for Hanover. 

Both teams used the passing attack well but Hanover had the better balance with 181 rushing yards compared to Dighton's 32 yards on the ground (Dighton passed for 258 yards). Will Bruna finished the game 13-19 for 234 yards and three touchdowns, Carter Bruna ran for 87 yards on 11 carries with four touchdowns and Diederich added 43 yards on seven carries with two rushing touchdowns and caught three passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns with an interception return score, too. Wildcat defense forced six turnovers including five interceptions and finishes the season giving up just 72 points on the year. Hanover won by point rule this season in 10 of their 12 games. 

The win secured an undefeated 12-0 season for the Hanover Wildcats who won their first 8-Man State title in seven years after making the Sub-State game or better the every year but one since their previous State title in 2009.