The Hamlin Chargers (12-0) defeated the Faulkton Area Trojans (10-2) with a final score of 34-8 on Friday in the 9B State Football Championship game. This is the first 9-man football title for Hamlin.
The Trojans got the ball to start the game and they took advantage. Jack Aesoph ran it in from 7-yards out and Faulkton jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, two-point conversion was successful, with 5:14 remaining in the first quarter.
Hamlin answered on their first drive of the game too, when Brody Grantham took it in from 5-yards out on a quarterback keeper. The two-point conversion was good and at the end of the first quarter, the game was tied 8-8.
Both teams traded offensive possessions in the second quarter until Hamlin charged down field. With 3:31 remaining in the half, wide out Ryder Grantham caught a 4th down pass that went for an 18-yard touchdown.
The Chargers put together a nearly 10 minute drive on the first possession of the second half. Quarterback Grantham ended the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting Hamlin ahead of Faulkton 22-8 with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter.
Faulkton then made an attempt to answer, but that attempt was altered when Austin Niemann intercepted Trojan quarterback Kurt Beidler. Two plays later, quarterback Grantham broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run, giving Hamlin a 28-8 lead as time expired in the third quarter.
Things didn’t improve for the Trojans on their next drive either, as Niemann intercepted another Beidler pass. This time he returned it 56-yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, but with 8:54 to play in the game, Hamlin led Faulkton 34-8.
Hamlin’s defense was just too much for the Trojans offense to handle. No more points were scored, and the final score is Hamlin defeating Faulkton 34-8.
Watch the Full Game here
Hamlin Chargers Head Coach Jeff Sheehan said the first drive of the third quarter was huge for his team.
“Second half we came out and had that 10 minute drive, that drive set us up for the rest of the game,” said Sheehan
Coach Sheehan explained that winning a state title is a great feeling.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s a great feeling,” said Sheehan. “They finished the season strong and they did it Hamlin style.”
Hamlin Quarterback Brody Grantham was named the Joe Robbie MVP of the game. He finished the game with 173 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Granthem also threw for 41-yards and a touchdown.
This is the fifth overall state football championship for the Hamlin Chargers, but it’s their first in the 9-man league.
