Statesmen Dispose of Waldorf in Shutout
Tyler Hafner rushed for 105 yards and three TDs Saturday
Oskaloosa–The William Penn football team excelled in all aspects of the game as it picked up a 65-0 win over Waldorf in Midwest League play Saturday.
The Statesmen (3-3, 1-1 MWL), who outgained the Warriors 519-150, tallied season highs in points, rushing yards (485), and total yards. It is the team’s first shutout since September 1 of last year when WPU defeated Bethel (Kan.) 54-0.
Contrary to the stats, it actually did take a bit for all cylinders to fire as the hosts only scored once in the first quarter. Shawn Davis (Sr., Hamersville, Ohio, Physical Education) did the deed on the team’s second drive, plunging in from two yards out.
That started a run of three-straight drives with a touchdown and eight of nine possessions with points. The hosts tacked on 31 points in the second quarter, highlighted by back-to-back rushing scores from Tyler Hafner (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Undecided) of nine and four yards. The sophomore accumulated 105 yards on the ground and was also 3-for-7 passing for 34 yards.
Sam Tvedt (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) extended the advantage to 28-0 with 3:26 left until halftime on a 21-yard scamper. The junior led all players with 122 yards. It is the second time this fall that William Penn has had two rushers eclipse the century mark.
Dylan Latham (Fr., Bettendorf, Iowa, Undecided) got into the act less than two minutes later with a three-yard score. Marcus Kerrigan (Sr., Cary, Ill., Sociology) then finished off the first half by snapping a streak of missed field goals by hitting a difficult 40-yard try on a day where cross-field winds blew at least 20 miles per hour from the west. WPU led 38-0 at the break.
Special teams took center stage to open the third quarter as Jacob Batterson (Sr., Eddyville, Iowa, Industrial Technology) gathered the opening kickoff at his own 15-yard line and broke free for an 85-yard touchdown return. It is his first collegiate kick return for a score and the first for the navy and gold since October 20 of last year.
Hafner found paydirt for the third time later in the quarter, this time on a three-yard play. He was later replaced by Hunter Collins (So, Jenks, Okla., Undecided) who capped the day’s scoring with a nine-yard run. Sandwiched in between was Latham’s second scoring rush, the longest of the day for any WPU player at 46 yards.
The defense had plenty of thrills as well. Nick DiMarco (Jr., St. Charles, Mo., Physical Education) guided the crew with ten tackles and two sacks, while Isaac Samek (So., Bolivar, Mo., Industrial Technology) intercepted two passes–the first time that has happened for the program in over a year. Batterson’s special day also included an interceptions and a blocked punt.
“I thought our kids were awesome today,” Head Coach Todd Hafner said. “Their attitude all week was a winning one. Our mental approach matched our physical approach. We are to the point where we have to worry about us and not who our opponent is. We will continue to work hard to keep that approach from here on out. ‘Win the week’ is now our motto and we will work toward that goal.”
Next: William Penn stays in Oskaloosa to face defending NAIA national champion Marian (Ind.) in an MSFA crossover game at 1 p.m.
