Rock Valley Iowa — Boyden Hull Rock Valley and Spirit Lake will renew an old playoff rivalry on Friday as the Iowa State Football playoffs begin the first round in all classes.
The Nighthawks, ranked number 2 in the final Radio Iowa 2A poll, open at Rock Valley against Spirit Lake, who finished in the six spot in the final regular season poll. The Nighthawks come in at 8-1 on the season having lost to Sergeant Bluff Luton the number five team in the final 4A poll. Spirit Lake is 7-2 on the year with losses to Southeast Valley and Algona who finished at eight and nine in the final 2A poll.
The Nighthawks offense goes through quarterback JT Van’t Hul who has accounted for 2,162 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns. Van’t Hul has passed for 1,496 yards with 17 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions averaging 18.9 yards per completion. He’s rushed for 666 yards and 10 touchdowns averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
Brayton Van Kekerix leads the team in tackles with 60.5. That includes 13 solo tackles for a loss and 14 assisted tackles for a loss. As a team the Nighthawks have picked off 9 passes.
Spirit Lake’s offense also goes through the quarterback position. Connor Jensen has passed for 1,810 yards averaging 15.6 yards per completion. He has 23 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions. He also leads his team in rushing with 446 yards and 8 touchdowns averaging 4.8 yards per carry. All told he’s generated 2,256 yards of offence for the Indians while scoring a total of 31 touchdowns.
The leading tackler for Spirit Lake is Ben Newman with 74.5 including 70 solos, 19 for a loss and 7 sacks. As a team the Indians have intercepted 8 passes.
Nighthawk Head Coach Corey Brandt talks about the rivalry aspect of the match up.
It’s a rivalry that includes a great deal of respect from both sides.
That’s Indians Head Coach Josh Bolluyt. He feels down and distance doesn’t really matter much for the Nighthawks offense and quarterback JT Van’t Hul. Bolluyt adds the Nighthawk offense compliments a very physical defense.
Brandt sums up Spirit Lake this way.
Brandt feels that special teams just may be the games deciding factor.
Coach Bolluyt sees the keys to the game this way.
Jon and Justin Hellinga will bring you the call from Rock Valley Friday on KIWA FM 105.3. Coverage begins at 6:05 with the scouting report with kick off at 7:00. Following our game coverage listen in for scores and highlights from across the state on the scoreboard show. This week the scoreboard show will air on KIWA FM 105.3 beginning at 10:00 pm.
