Potter-Dix comes out strong, but falls to Hay Springs

POTTER - Potter-Dix started out hot but ultimately fell to Hay Springs, 58-16, last Friday.

The chilly night started out well for the Coyotes (0-4) as they quickly got on the scoreboard. With only three minutes off the clock, quarterback Noah Nelson marched Potter-Dix up the field for the first touchdown of the game. Nelson completed the two-point conversion pass to Kelsey Rozelle as the Coyotes took an 8-0 lead.

The Hawks (1-3) quickly answered that score. The Coyotes made their march up the field challenging, as they hounded them with tough defense and tackles by JT Herboldsheimer, Ed Barnes, Dylan Nielson, Justice Palmer, Coby Hicks and Nelson. Eventually, despite being brought down by a pack of Coyotes on the previous play, the Hawks pulled into the end zone for their first score of the night. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful as the Coyotes held an 8-6 lead.

Nelson received the ensuing kickoff for the Coyotes and gained a few yards. A handoff to Hicks and a run by Palmer brought Potter-Dix up about eight yards, and a long run by Rozelle after faking a punt gave Potter-Dix a first down. Rozelle then used his athleticism to extend the Coyotes’ lead, catching a pass from Nelson one-handed and fending off several defenders for the score. The two-point attempt was also successful as Potter-Dix held a 16-6 lead late in the first quarter.

Hay Springs added a score to end the first quarter, but Potter-Dix still held on for a 16-12 lead.

A Coyote turnover gave Hay Springs the ball back early in the second quarter. The two teams battled back and forth for a while, but despite some solid defense with tackles from Nelson, Connor Williams, Nielsen and Rozelle, the Hawks found the end zone for their first lead of the game. The two point-conversion was successful and Hay Springs led 20-16 at halftime.

It was all Hay Springs in the second half. The Hawks started the third quarter with a huge kickoff return, and they scored on the very next play. The two-point conversion was good and the visiting team led 28-16. The Coyotes got the ball back, but fumbled, and the Hawks scored once again for a 34-16 lead. The Coyotes again fumbled on their next possession, and the Hawks used that turnover to extend the lead to 42-16.

The Hawks added two more scores to win 58-16.

The Coyotes return to play Friday for the first of two straight road contests. They travel to Crawford Friday for a 7 p.m. contest against the Rams. Crawford is 3-1 on the season with wins against Edgemont (S.D.), Morrill and Leyton. The Rams’ lone loss came Sept. 11 against Hemingford.