The Hastings Saxons took to the road to square off against the Mounties of Jackson Northwest. A strong middle two quarters in this game helped the team earn their third straight victory, this time by a score of 38-21.
Early in the first quarter, the Mounties struck first. Ashton Crampton ran for a two-yard score to give Northwest a 7-0 edge. This would not hold however, as Robby Slaughter burst through the Northwest defense for a twenty-six yard touchdown, evening the score at 7.
Lanny Teunessen continued the Saxons’ offensive roll with a seven yard score just three minutes into the second quarter. TJ Russell rushed for the two-point try to make it 15-7 Hastings.
Jackson Northwest would respond on a pass from Isaiah Grybauskas to JR Morrow, and the twenty-yard connection brought the Mounties within two. They attempted the two-point conversion, but it was stopped.
On the final play of the first half, Mason Denton found TJ Russell on a three-yard passing touchdown, and when Denton found Evan Eastman on the two-point conversion, Hastings took a 23-13 lead into the locker room.
Coming out of the locker room, Hastings continued to grow their lead. Denton used his legs for a short touchdown run, and Teunessen added a two-point conversion, creating a 31-13 edge. In the fourth quarter, Denton scored yet again, this time on a thirteen yard run. Kaiden Shumway booted the extra point to make it 38-13.
Jackson Northwest would score one more time on a quick pass, but it was not enough. The Saxons now sit at 3-1 on the year, and they will take on Coldwater in their Interstate 8 finale. A win in that contest would ensure the Saxons of at least a tie of the Interstate 8 title this season.
