EAGLE GROVE — Woodward-Granger junior quarterback Carter Moran had a night to remember Friday, passing for three touchdowns and running for three more as the Hawks soared to a 42-0 win over host Eagle Grove.
W-G (3-1, 1-0) won the Class 1A District 2 opener for both thanks in large part to a suffocating defensive effort. Eagle Grove (1-3, 0-1) attempted only two passes, with both falling incomplete, and managed to scratch out just 55 rushing yards on 33 carries.
Turnovers were critical. W-G recovered five Eagle Grove fumbles and intercepted one pass while not turning the ball over themselves.
Moran connected with Dylan McCaulley for a 25-yard aerial touchdown less than 90 seconds into the game. The Hawk signal caller then added TD runs of two yards and of eight yards in the opening quarter as well for a 21-0 W-G lead, with junior kicker Dane Polich connecting on the first three of his six successful PAT kicks.
Ethan Moats scored for the first time this season by hauling in a 20-yard strike from Moran seven seconds into the second quarter, with Dustin Harney snagging a seven-yard TD from Moran with 2:53 left in the half to create a 35-0 gulf at the break.
Moran, fittingly, capped the scoring with a 21-yard scoring jaunt with 4:06 on the third quarter clock.
Moran was 9-of-12 for 110 yards and three TDs through the air, with Peyton Nixon 1-of-3 for no yards passing.
McCaulley (1-25), Moats (1-20), and Harney (1-7) all caught TD passes, with Brody Nardini leading all receivers with 52 yards on five catches. Kolby Fogarty and Cooper Thielen each caught a pass, each being stopped for no gain.
The Hawks compiled 225 yards on the ground on 43 rushes. Harney (24-142) led the way, with Moran adding three scores and 41 yards on seven runs. McCaulley (5-21), Holden Heard (2-14), Olver Potter (3-7) and Nixon (2-0) also carried the ball for the guests.
Harney’s six tackles was a team-high, with Alex Evans making 5.5 stops and Potter 4.5.
Evans, Polich, Dylan Rodgers, Brody Nardini, and Collin Nardini each recovered a fumble for the Hawks, with Don David picking off an Eagle pass.
W-G will host South Hamilton for Homecoming Friday. All 1A District 2 games kick off at 7 p.m.
