WOODWARD, IOWA — South Central Calhoun broke open a 7-7 contest with 34 unanswered points en route to a 41-7 win over host Woodward-Granger Friday.
The win cemented the Class 1A District 2 championship for the Titans (6-0, 4-0) while the Hawks (5-2, 3-1) will finish second. W-G’s final placing is secured as South Hamilton (3-4, 2-2) visits Eagle Grove (3-4, 2-2) Oct. 15, both of who fell to the Hawks.
W-G will wrap their regular season with a trip to NW Webster (2-5, 1-3) while SCC visits Belmond-Klemme (0-7, 0-4).
An exchange of fumbles deep in W-G territory led to a short touchdown run and a quick 7-0 Titan lead.
The hosts answered when Carter Moran hooked up with Brody Nardini on an 88-yard TD to bring the crowd to their feet. Dane Polich added the PAT kick to knot the score.
The guests then used a short scoring burst from quarterback Blake McAlister and a 27-yard interception return from McAlister three plays later to post a sudden 21-7 lead.
McAlister received a pass in the third quarter to push the margin to 28-7, with the Titans posting a 35-7 margin when a snap over punter Polich’s head bounced free in the Hawk end zone.
A three-yard TD dive 70 seconds into the fourth quarter finished the scoring.
W-G could not move the ball on the ground, gaining just 22 yards on 26 carries. Dustin Harney led W-G rushers with 26 yards on 13 carries.
Moran did what he could, finishing 14-of-35 for 168 yards and a touchdown while being under heavy pressure most of the game. He was intercepted once, as was Peyton Nixon, who attempted only one pass.
Nardini caught eight passes for 138 yards and a TD, with Polich (3-18) and Don David (3-12) also pulling in aerials.
The first round of the Class 1A playoffs will be held Oct. 22, with the second round set for Oct. 29.
