After a first-round victory, the Hawks look ahead to their next battle. Lakeland will face the Vallivue Falcons at home. The Falcons are a school from Caldwell, Idaho, down south. Vallivue is 7-2 overall and 7-1 in conference, one of the best records Lakeland has seen all year.
The Hawks are coming into this game fresh off a big win at home, but so are the Falcons. Just like the Hawks, Vallivue loves to keep that rock on the ground and run it all day long. Onix Carson, the starting running back, leads the Falcons in rushing yards. He averages 153.1 yards per game, compared to Lovie Weil for Lakeland, who averages 161.
“I know we got the guys on defense to hold their run game,” Cyler Bauer said.
With both teams predicting the run game, who’s gonna tap into throwing first? Lakeland’s leading receiver is Jace Taylor, with 58.7 yards per game. Compared to the Falcons leading receiver Austin Belnap who averages 24.3. Numbers can only say so much about these players, though.
“We have been locked in this season since hell week, and we don’t plan on slowing down,” Jace Taylor said.
That laser focus all year round has resulted in complete success. The privilege of being able to host another round of this year’s playoffs has an insane upper hand. Vallivue has many hours on a bus ride up to Rathdrum, Idaho, and staying in a hotel.
“Our whole team knows first hand what that can do to a team, it takes a toll on you for sure” Haydon Benson said.
The Hawks get to feel the comfort of their own home the night before and feel the love from the home crowd. The Hawks are 3-2 at home this year, and Vallivue is 3-2 in away games. It’s an even shot from both teams to show how great of a game this one will be.
The Hawks are ready for the Falcons, but the real question is, are the Falcons ready for the Hawks?
