The Hinton football team punched the program’s second-ever ticket to the UNI Dome defeating Underwood 37-15 in Hinton on Friday night.
The last time Hinton football was able to compete at the UNI Dome was 2012. The senior group of Blackhawk players now were just five and six years old at that time. Kyle Leary remembers going down there to watch, and he says it is a full circle moment.
Hinton head coach Kadrian Hardersen is an alum of the Hinton football program and played for former co-head coaches Bruce Held and Steve Diediker who took that 2012 team to the Dome. He says he is honored to be the one that brings this year’s team to Cedar Falls.
The Blackhawks had to weather some storms early in the game. Underwood’s first drive went for 13 plays and over four minutes and ended in a score. The Blackhawks could only counter with a field goal putting them behind on the board early. Coach Hardersen says the team’s toughness showed at that time to continue to battle in the game.
The defensive response saw the Blackhawks turn Underwood over on downs twice and pick them off once in the first half to keep them off the board. Leary says the “bend, but don’t break” attitude of the defense allows them to get back in the right headspace to continue the game.
At that point, the offense kicked in. Hinton scored on each of their four offensive possessions in the first half. The Blackhawks were able to run the ball effectively and throw it effectively to the tune of 486 yards of total offense. Coach Hardersen says being able to run the ball first set up a great passing attack.
Gabe Anderson was what made the Blackhawk offense click through the air. He completed seven passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Both touchdowns were completed to Kyle Leary who had four catches for 71 yards as well. Anderson says Leary is a great target to throw to because he does not have to be as accurate with a guy that is 6’4.
Anderson has been a vital piece of the Hinton offense all season, but he was content to let others shine against Underwood. Outside of Anderson’s 121 yards rushing, four other Blackhawks ran for at least 30 yards. He says those kinds of performances are what teams heading to the Dome have to have.
Hinton led 37-7 at the end of the third quarter after scoring all 37 points immediately after Underwood’s seven points to start the night. The 2024 Blackhawks are now in the record books as just the second team from Hinton to make it to the Dome. Leary says his teammates were encouraged to leave a legacy, and they get to do that now.
Anderson says he is honored to be able to be on the team that gets the program back to Cedar Falls.
Hinton will match up with second-ranked Dike-New Hartford. The Wolverines are in the playoffs for the 22nd time in school history and have finished their season in the championship game five times before. Coach Hardersen says the guys will have their hands full against a tradition-rich team.
Going to the Dome is a totally different beast. From the wonky start times to the indoor turf field, it is all brand new to high school football players. Coach Hardersen says there will be a lot of things that his guys have to prepare for to play in Cedar Falls.
Kickoff between the Blackhawks and Wolverines will be at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 15. KLEM will broadcast the game live with coverage scheduled to begin at 12:30 PM.
