DUBUQUE - The Prairie Hawks took immediate control in Dubuque Friday night and downed Wahlert, 44-14, in Mississippi Valley action at the Rock Bowl.

The Hawks scored three touchdowns in the first seven minutes of the game to take a quick 20-0 advantage and scored again late in the opening frame.

“We had a good week of practice this week and came out aggressive and ready to play tonight,” said Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey. “We were able to get a lot of deserving kids some game-time experience tonight.”

On the second play of the game, Jace Hanna completed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Harper. Samuel Drysdale missed his first extra point of the season and the score was 6-0.

Wahlert’s second play from scrimmage was intercepted by Mitch Dellamuth, who had a nice return of 22 yards to give the offense the ball on the Wahlert 28-yard line. On the first play, Hanna hit Jarred Edmonds for a 28-yard touchdown. Drysdale added the point and it was 13-0.

Prairie (3-2, 1-1) recovered an onside kick and six plays later Hanna hit Edmonds again from 17 yards out. The kick was good, and just like that the rout was on.

Sitting out last week against Iowa City West due to injury, Hanna played barely more than a quarter and put up some numbers that many quarterbacks would like to have for a game. He completed 9 of 13 passes for 197 yards and four touchdowns.

Hanna threw one touchdown pass to Harper, two to Edmonds and a 78-yard strike to Jesse Vizzini.

“We just prepared well and everyone executed,” said Hanna. “The line played great and I just have a lot of great receivers to throw to.”

Hanna was replaced by Trey Beckman, whose job it was to basically manage the rest of the game. Beckman went 7 for 8 for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Caleb Davison for a 25-yard touchdown and Kentrel Smith with a 6-yarder.

“It just felt great to just go out and score a lot of points,” said Beckman. “Just get out there and get the victory.”

With the score 41-0 at halftime, all the Hawks had to do was coast to the finish line.

In the second half, Drysdale connected on a 33-yard field goal to close out the scoring for the Hawks.

Wahlert (1-4, 0-2) had no answer. The Prairie defense came up with five nterceptions and a fumble recovery and Wahlert’s starting quarterback left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder separation.

It was domination.

“I was very pleased with our defense and our receivers did a nice job of catching the ball, but we still have some areas to work on and improve,” said Morrissey.

Prairie hosts No. 2 Cedar Falls next Friday at John Wall Field.

PRAIRIE 44, WAHLERT 14

CRP                   DW
First Downs              11                     5
Rushes-yards        36-95              21-190
Passing yards         257                   50
Total yards             352                  240
Fumbles/lost           1/0                   2/1

Prairie                        27     14     3     0  --  44
Dubuque Wahlert        0      0     7     7  --  14

CRP - Harper 61 pass from Hanna (kick failed)
CRP - Edmonds 28 pass from Hanna (Drysdale kick)
CRP - Edmonds 17 pass from Hanna (Drysdale kick)
CRP - Vizzini 78 pass from Hanna (Drysdale kick)
CRP - Davison 25 pass from Beckman (Drysdale kick)
CRP - Smith 6 pass from Beckman (Drysdale kick)
CRP - FG Drysdale 33
DW - Decker 6 run (Nemmers kick)
DW - Broderick 71 run (Nemmers kick)

Rushing
CRP: Christensen 9-34,  Hanna 3-14, Simpson 13-32, 3-(-11), Edmonds 1-13, Jones 1-(-1), Van Draska 6-14
DW: Decker 12-32, Burgmeier 2-57, Broderick 2-61, Allendorf 5-40

Passing
CRP: Hanna 9-13-197, Beckman 7-8-112
DW: Burgmeier 0-2-0, Broderick 6-16-50

Receiving
CRP: Harper 1-61, Edmonds 2-27, Dellamuth 2-6, Smith 3-13, Goodale 1-0, Vizzini 3-107, Davison 3-49, Kauchemann 1-28
DW: Steines 5-42, Miller 1-8