The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals ran into a tough Hamlin Charger football team on Friday, August 26th. The Chargers got out to a quick and big lead en route to a 52-12 win over the Cardinals.
Hamlin got on the board on their very first offensive play, a 54-yard touchdown pass with 10:26 in the first quarter. They scored again about three minutes later on a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers added one more touchdown in the first quarter, with just one second left, on a 21-yard run to lead 21-0.
The Chargers continued to push their way around the field on both sides of the ball. The defense blocked a CJ Smith punt in the end zone early in the second quarter. Smith alertly fell on the ball, but the play still resulted in a safety for Hamlin. The lead continued to grow throughout the half. The Chargers added a 34-yard touchdown pass and 71-yard touchdown run to push their lead to 37-0. The Cardinals were able to get a score with :34 before halftime. Smith completed a 20-yard pass to Camden Gilbert making the score 37-6. Hamlin, however, scored again, this time on a 75-yard run right before halftime for a 44-6 lead.
Both teams scored one time in the second half. St Mary scored first with 5:12 to play in the third quarter. Owen Vargas had a seven-yard pass to Connor Hanson. The Chargers scored with :52 left in the third quarter on an eight-yard run.
The Cardinals finished with 222 yards of total offense, 96 rushing yards and 126 passing yards. Hamlin had 432 yards of offense, 309 rushing yards and 123 passing yards.
Smith was 7-12 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Vargas was 2-6 passing for 13 yards and a touchdown. Nic Gaspar had four catches for 83 yards. Gilbert had one catch for 20 yards and a touchdown. Hanson had one catch for nine yards and a touchdown. Timmier Hanson led the ground attack with seven carries for 56 yards. Lincoln LeBrun had a team-high seven tackles. Vargas and Keaton Hansen each had four tackles.
“It was a tough loss. We will have to find a way to rebound and get ready for next week,” said head coach Ross Flemmer.
St Mary will host the De Smet Bulldogs on Friday, September 2nd.
