Hampshire on track for playoff berth
Woodstock came prepared to stop Hampshire’s primary weapon, but it had no answer for Hampshire’s other weapons.
Hampshire’s first play from scrimmage was a 62-yard touchdown pass from Nick Mohlmann to Tim Jansen. That opening play was the springboard for a 48-7 Fox Valley Conference Fox Division victory Friday night that left Hampshire playoff-eligible at 5-2.
The Blue Streaks stuffed tailback Nick Kielbasa on several early runs, but Jansen was wide open on the early reception. Also, Mason Fleury sprinted for 45 yards on an early carry, setting up another touchdown.
Kielbasa eventually got rolling, racking up 155 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“They took away our gut, so we had to go back to the quick dive away from their strong side,” said Kielbasa. “We went away from the strong side of their defense and were able to get an open field.”
Kielbasa scored on runs of 51 and 20 yards and scored his third TD when he picked up a fumble by Chris Calvin and ran it in from 33 yards out.
Jansen scored on an 83-yard kickoff return that essentially negated the Streaks’ only touchdown.
Mohlmann and Vinny Mounavong also scored for Hampshire.
“We played very well on both sides of the ball,” said Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh. “I thought we were pretty balanced. The defense played well. We put things together for four quarters, which was what we talked about doing: let’s play four good quarters.”
Led by Kielbasa, Hampshire rolled up 276 yards on the ground. Defensively, the Whips hounded Woodstock quarterback Jace Pohlman, making his first start of the year, into 4 interceptions. Mitch Lundry, Trey Schramm, Mike Kruse, and Calvin picked him off.
The Blue Streaks (1-6, 1-3) had only 97 yards on the ground, and 56 of those came on 3 consecutive carries by backup tailback Alex Shannon late in the first half.
Hampshire hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2008. But the Whips don’t want to get too carried away just yet.
“That’s what we’re working for and finally we’re getting there,” Kielbasa said. “We’re eligible. We want to get (win) number 6 next week to be fully in the playoffs, so no stopping here.”
Hampshire can hold a clinching party next week at home with a win over Johnsburg.