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HERMANTOWN — Owen Simonson rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring run, as Hermantown rallied past Esko 21-20 in nonconference high school football Friday night.
The Hawks overcame an early deficit, dominated the ground game and scored the game's decisive touchdown in the third quarter to secure a victory over their neighboring rival.
Simonson was the offensive workhorse for Hermantown, carrying 23 times and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. His two rushing touchdowns accounted for 12 of the Hawks' 21 points, while quarterback Sawyer Senst connected with Kole Lendzyk for the team's other touchdown.
Hermantown finished with 255 yards of total offense, including 196 rushing yards on 45 attempts. The Hawks controlled the football for 28 minutes, 35 seconds, compared with 15:13 for Esko.
Esko struck first, taking a 6-0 lead after the opening quarter. Hermantown answered with seven points in the second quarter, but Esko added 14 of its own to carry a 20-7 advantage into halftime.
The Hawks' comeback began with a seven-point third quarter and another seven-point scoring period in the fourth-quarter.
The Hawks' commitment to the running game proved decisive. Simonson supplied the explosive plays, while Kalven Skur added 42 yards on 14 carries. Elijah Carlsness contributed a two-yard rush, and Sawyer Johnson added one yard as Hermantown kept its offense balanced enough to sustain drives and control possession.
Senst completed 6 of 13 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Lendzyk was his primary target, catching four passes for 31 yards and the scoring reception. Ayden Maki added a 22-yard catch, while Simonson contributed a six-yard reception.
Hermantown also demonstrated remarkable efficiency in critical fourth-down situations, converting all four of its attempts. The Hawks generated 17 first downs, including 12 rushing, and committed six penalties for 50 yards.
Esko relied heavily on its passing attack, with quarterback Eathan Dallman completing 10 of 20 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Derek Nooyen caught three passes for 64 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown reception, while Braxdyn Male finished with four receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Eagan Harker added two catches for 21 yards, and Owen Zywicki had one reception for 13 yards.
Benjamin Schmitz led Esko's rushing attack with 55 yards on eight carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Broderick Marsh contributed 12 yards on three attempts.
Esko finished with 212 yards of total offense, including 74 rushing yards, and recorded 13 first downs. Esko converted four of eight third-down opportunities but was penalized 11 times for 101 yards, a significant disadvantage in a game decided by a single point.
