Fayette, Iowa - For the first time in nine years, the Hawks finished with a winning season with their win on Saturday (Nov. 11) over Upper Iowa. Freshman
CJ Simms got the nod at quarterback for the Hawks, throwing over fifty percent in the 38-28 win over the Peacocks.
The birds jousted throughout the first quarter with little to show on the scoreboard. The Hawks fell behind at the beginning of the second quarter when a failed punt attempt within Quincy's ten-yard line gave the Peacocks an easy touchdown. The Hawks came back in the next drive, pushing 16 plays to the end zone to tie the game up.
Lazerick Hill intercepted a Peacock pass and returned for 23 yards on the next drive, giving the Hawks the ball within 30 of their end zone. Not long after, the Hawks had a field goal opportunity, and
Michael Owens capitalized, putting the Hawks ahead 10-7.
Hill read the offense well and intercepted the next play from the Peacocks, setting the Hawks up for another scoring opportunity in the next drive. This time,
Teon Dollard pushes through the defense for seven yards to give the Hawks a sizable lead going into the half.
Simms wrote himself into the scorebook in the third quarter with a 5-yard rush up the middle, putting the Hawks up 24-7. Simms threw a touchdown shortly after, tossing the ball to
Jalen Lawrence short for the fourth touchdown of the game. Upper Iowa responded with a touchdown, but the Hawks came back with a Dollard 45-yard run to expand the gap to 38-13. The Peacocks sliced the gap again, adding another touchdown after the long run from Dollard.
The Peacocks added a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Hawks declared the game won with their electric third quarter. The Hawks finish the season 6-5, the first time over .500 in 9 years.
