The Hamilton Hawkeyes and Allendale Falcons played a thrilling back-and-forth battle on Friday night. In the end, a late Hamilton touchdown gave the Hawkeyes a 27-26 victory.
Spencer Vandenbrink gave the Hawkeyes the lead when he carried a 2-yard touchdown. Allendale would respond with a touchdown burst by Tyler Sparks, who bolted 54 yards to the end zone. A successful extra point gave the Falcons a 7-6 lead.
In the second quarter, they pushed the lead out further. Josh Gunneson ripped off a 26-yard sprint to extend the Allendale lead. The Falcons would take this advantage to the locker room.
After halftime, Allendale continued to push their lead out. Cole DiPiazza powered through the Hawkeyes defense for a 15-yard rushing score, giving Allendale a 20-6 lead. Vandenbrink’s second rushing score, an 11-yard dart, pulled Hamilton back within six.
Early in the fourth quarter, Allendale scored on a 45-yard carry by DiPiazza. This positioned the Falcons in front of Hamilton by thirteen points.
Hamilton rallied over the final frame to secure a victory. First, Tyler Berkimer fielded the ensuing kickoff, racing 93 yards for a touchdown. Later in the frame, they evened the score on a 30-yard touchdown carry by Brandt Goodpaster. With the score tied, Joe Johnson proved to be the hero, as he buried the extra point.
Spencer Vandenbrink finished with 158 rushing yards on 20 carries. Cole DiPiazza turned 21 carries into 187 yards for Allendale.
Next week, Allendale will face Fruitport in OK Blue play. Hamilton, now 3-4, will face Holland Christian on Friday.
