Hampshire’s push to playoff berth continues
Hampshire turned in a complete performance. Coming off a lopsided loss last week, the Whip-Purs excelled in all three phases while downing Woodstock North, 42-12, in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division play Hampshire Friday night.
Nick Kielbasa ran for 167 yards and 3 scores, and Mason Fleury scored twice for the Whips, who moved to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the league.
The Whips started fast, scoring on the game’s first possession. Kielbasa finished it off with a 10-yard run.
Hampshire attempted only 2 passes in the game. Both were completions, but gained only 11 yards in the process.
“That’s what we worked on all week in practice, getting the running game going,” said Kielbasa.
“That was huge, that first drive, just to get our confidence going,” said Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh. “After last week, that shot our confidence a little bit. To get that drive and get back to playing our football. That’s what we talked about all week, getting back to playing our game.
Woodstock North (1-5, 1-2) also scored on its opening possession, but the extra point attempt was blocked, so Hampshire still led.
After that first drive, though, the Whip-Purs pretty well throttled the Thunder’s option attack.
“We just adjusted to the speed of the game,” Cavanaugh said. “It’s hard to simulate that option in practice, and it just took us a series to adjust.”
Hampshire broke the game open with a pair of second-quarter scores. Kielbasa scored from 15 yards out to make it 14-6. The Whips’ defense forced a 3-and-out and, on Hampshire’s first play after the punt, Fleury broke through off right tackle for 53 yards.
Fleury opened the second-half scoring by returning an interception 33 yards. The Whips intercepted Woodstock quarterback Jimmy Kringer twice and sacked him once.
Kielbasa scored his third TD late in the third quarter to make it 35-6. After Woodstock North found the end zone again, Hampshire quarterback Nick Mohlman scored on a 7-yard keeper to complete the scoring.
Kringer hurt Hampshire with his legs in the first half, running for 79 yards by intermission. But he had just 11 yards on 7 carries after the break.