But under the Kansas system of district play, if you can pull it together for the three to four district weeks, you can make a postseason appearance.

The Hawks have done that with their 12-7 win over Eureka.

The win put them 2-1 in Class 3A District #3 play and in a three-way tie with Burlington and Central Heights, both at 2-1 in district.

The Hawks’ win over Burlington in the first round of districts gave them district runner-up and a shot at postseason.

"Our boys never gave up this season," stated Coach Kirk Holt after last Thursday’s win. "They fought through adversity and found a way at the end to do something meaningful."

The Hawks offense put up their best numbers of the season in the win.

Senior Wyatt Jackson, behind a strong offensive line effort, ran for 198 yards of the 208 yards the Hawks put up.

Jackson carried the ball 30 times for a 6.6 average, his best performance of the season.

"I was getting frustrated, but we put it together," noted Jackson.

Runningbacks dream of 100-yard games; Jackson’s performance had to be a dream come true.

"With the field being so wet, it was very important that we be able to run the football," noted Holt. "Wyatt carried the load."

The Hawks scored in the first quarter on a Jackson seven-yarder, but failed on the PAT.

Eureka had the Hawks pinned down deep in Hawk territory in the second quarter and scored their only TD of the game on a Hawks’ fumble on the three-yard line to lead 7-6 into the second half.

Holt gave the defense credit for giving the team good opportunities and field position during the game.

"Offensively, we didn’t capitalize enough on the short field we had in the first quarter," he noted. "We just made too many mistakes."

Jackson scored the go-ahead-TD in the third quarter on a five-yard plunge. Again, the PAT failed, but the Hawks held a 12-7 lead.

That’s when the defense, basically the same players on offense of the 18-man team, held strong to keep Eureka out of the end zone for the balance of the game.

The Hawks, behind Jackson, ran for 208 yards, passed for 116.

Quincy Hodges ran for eight yards on nine attempts; Jarod Avery had one run of two yards.

Hodges completed four of 12 passing attempts for the 116 yards.

Jackson caught one for 10; Avery, two for 66 yards; Cody Sunderland hauled in one that went for 40 yards.

The Hawks held Eureka to 135 yards rushing (32 attempts), 28 yards passing (five completions in 15 attempts).

The Hawks punted just once in the game.

They were hit seven times for 35 yards in penalties; Eureka had the same 35 yards tacked off in six infractions.