Hawks team to beat in playoffs, after hammering Vikings 51-9
CAMBRIDGE — There was something fitting, even though it looked somewhat Payne-ful, about the final play of the first half, in the much-anticipated showdown between the Waterloo Vikings and Jacob Hespeler Hawks.
WCI’s talented quarterback Bryce Scarrow dropped back to pass and was absolutely hammered from behind on an uncontested hit, by Jacob Hespeler defensive tackle Brandon Payne.
The halftime buzzer sounded and the mighty Hawks went into the break with a well-deserved 39-point lead, comfortably on their way to a 51-9 victory over the Vikings in the final regular-season game of the Waterloo County senior football league schedule.
The four-time defending champion Hawks go into the playoffs with a 6-0 mark and the Vikings suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 5-1 on a pleasant fall afternoon at The Jake.
Jacob Hespeler running back Xavier Pineda led the charge with three rushing touchdowns of five, eight and 28 yards, and quarterback Elijah Cruickshank added rushing scores of four and two yards. Ian Kuwabara opened the scoring less than two minutes after the start, on a 12-yard run up the middle. Hawks kicker Darrian Morgan booted three field goals of 34, 41 and 38 yards.
The Hawks dominated from start to finish and served notice they are the team to beat — no ifs, ands or buts about it — when playoffs start Thursday.
“We had an amazing week of practice, came out flying today and they couldn’t keep up,” said Pineda, a Grade 12 speedster who was also impressive on kick returns.
“It’s a pretty big statement, I guess you could say that. But we don’t take anything for granted. There are no guarantees.”
The Hawks couldn’t have asked for a better start, with Justin Jardine recovering a WCI fumble on the second play of the game at the Vikings’ 25-yard line.
Kuwabara opened the scoring just three plays later.
The home side was up 10-0 when running back/defensive end Josh Gilpin exploded for a 44-yard run up the middle to set up Cruickshank’s first touchdown.
The Jacob Hespeler defence was every bit as impressive as the defence and prevented Scarrow from getting anything going in the first half.
Scarrow, who also serves as punter, managed a pair of 35-yard singles as the Hawks built a 41-2 halftime lead.
“They’re not invincible, they’re just a very good team with a solid offence, a solid defence and good players everywhere,” said Scarrow.
“We had a lacklustre week of practice, so we need to get our act together for the playoffs; otherwise our season is going to be over real quick.”
The opening round of the playoffs will be held Thursday with Jacob Hespeler facing the Waterloo-Oxford Crusaders, and WCI meeting the Elmira Lancers.
The other two quarter-finals will pit the Huron Heights Huskies against the Sir John A. Macdonald Highlanders, and the Preston Panthers against the Grand River Renegades.
The 35-point supremacy rule was in effect for the second half and the clock didn’t stop. Scarrow scored WCI’s only touchdown on a one-yard run with 24 seconds remaining.
WCI’s bright spots were few and far between with a second-half fumble recovery by Liam Droeske, after a big hit by Femi Ilori, being one of them.
The District 8 playoffs begin Tuesday with a semifinal game between the St. Benedict Saints and Resurrection Phoenix.
The winner of that game will play the St. David Celtics in the D8 final on Friday night at Warrior Field.