RESHUFFLING THE DECK

Titans to face South Hamilton in third round of state playoffs

On Friday night, the South Central Calhoun football team officially earned the title of “State Qualifiers” with a thrilling 30-22 victory over Dike-New Hartford at Titan Field in Lake City. Just like the other remaining 15 other football programs, the Titans waited until high noon on Saturday to find out where the Iowa High School Athletic Association was going to place them.

Now, SCC knows two things.

One, they will take to the road. Two, they will face a former district opponent.

In the IHSAA’s noontime announcement on Saturday, SCC will plan on donning their icy white road uniforms, taking on South Hamilton in a Class 1A-Pod B third round bout, set for 7 p.m. next Friday in Jewell.

While the Titans (7-1) boast a sturdy ground game with junior Blake McAlister and senior Brennan Holder among a full stable of backs.

McAlister paced the Titans’ ground game, with 847 yards and 11 touchdowns on 101 carries. Holder has been the thunder to McAlister’s lightning, rushing for 468 yards and eight trips to paydirt.

Just as much as the Titans like to own the trenches and run the football, senior quarterback Cole Corey has kept SCC balanced. Corey has 816 passing yards and eight touchdown passes to his name, and has tallied eight touchdowns from his feet.

The Hawks (8-0) love to run the rock, anchored by senior Trevor Thompson.

Thompson has amassed more than 1,100 yards so far this season. Seniors Brock Galetich and Lane Swenson have also contributed greatly to the Hawks’ resurgence in 2020. What’s more surprising is from the camp of South Hamilton is senior tight end Carter Hewitt.

Hewitt, who stands at six foot, six inches, has drawn offers from Northern Iowa, Northwest Missouri State, Graceland University and Mount Marty University of South Dakota.

South Hamilton defeated South Hardin, 42-12, this past Friday in Jewell.

History has been on SCC's side. The Titans own a 4-0 advantage over South Hamilton, with its most recent wins being a 14-8 road victory in 2018 and a 21-6 triumph last season in Lake City.

Southeast Valley and Denver also reside in Pod B, alongside the Titans and Hawks. Southeast Valley will play host for the third round matchup, slated for 7 p.m. next Friday at Jaguar Field in Gowrie.

The Jaguars (8-0) eliminated Belmond-Klemme, 50-13, this past Friday. Leading by eight in the first quarter in a proverbial rematch, Southeast Valley scored 22 points before halftime to cruise past the Broncos.

The Cyclones (6-3) edged out Cascade with a 21-19 victory this past Friday in Cascade. Denver prevented the Cougars from scoring a late two-point conversion to advance.

IHSAA 2020 Football Playoffs – Class 1A

Round of 16, State Quarterfinal Assignments

Pod A

Western Christian (5-3) at OABCIG (8-0)

Emmetsburg (7-1) at West Sioux (6-2)

Pod B

SCC (7-1) at South Hamilton (8-0)

Denver (6-3) at Southeast Valley (8-0)

Pod C

Pella Christian (6-3) at Van Meter (8-0)

Underwood (8-1) at Mount Ayr (7-1)

Pod D

Mediapolis (7-2) at Columbus Catholic (7-1)

Beckman Catholic (6-2) at Sigourney-Keota (8-0)