MADRID — The Cory Crnkovich era began with a bang — and a whimper — Friday as the former Woodward-Granger player led his team to a 33-0 win in his first contest as Hawk head coach.
The W-G defense smothered Madrid, allowing only 46 rushing yards on 31 attempts and yielding just 19 yards through the air to quiet the hosts and their crowd.
The Hawk offense had little such trouble. Crnkovich unlimbered the passing game, and newly installed quarterback Carter Moran responded, connecting on 13-of-21 passes for 162 yards and a score. Payton Nixon hit on both of his passes for 15 yards, with Moran intercepted once.
The W-G ground game also worked well, amassing 187 yards and providing four touchdowns on 35 hauls.
Moran scored on a one-yard dive in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead, with a second short Moran TD run and a 12-yard score on the ground from Dustin Harney putting the halftime score at 21-0. Dane Polich booted all three PATs.
Harney busted free for a 34-yard TD run in the third quarter, with Moran connecting with Polich for a 31-yard score later in the frame.
A total of 130 yards on 20 rushes was provided by Harney, with Moran adding 34 yards on 10 carries and Dylan McCaulley 28 yards on two runs to lead the way.
Brody Nardini led the receivers with 92 yards on six catches while Polich had a TD and 62 yards on four snags. McCaulley (2-9), Nick Rees (1-9), and Max Dalton (1-9) also had catches, as did Ethan Moats 1 (-1).
Dylan Rodgers paced the W-G defense with eight total tackles, with Harney in on 6.5 stops, Nardini 5.5 and both McCaulley and Alex Evans five each.
Harney recovered a fumble, with Nardini and Holden Heard each intercepting a pass.
W-G hosts AC/GC Friday, with Madrid traveling to Belle Plaine. Both games will kick off at 7 p.m.
