Prairie dominates Hudson’s Bay, 56-0

Alex Ford rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries. Colby Majewski added two rushing touchdowns behind an offensive line that pushed its opponents around.

“It was like the Red Sea in there,” Majewski said. “It was opening up.”

Prairie was most impressive on defense. After Hudson’s Bay racked up 53 points in a Week 1 win over Heritage, the Eagles were held to just 143 yards on Friday.

Prairie forced three interceptions, including one that Aiden Miller returned 99 yards for the game’s final touchdown.

Ford, who also plays linebacker, said Prairie’s defense tries to be relentless.

Friday, it was.

“Just never stop, there’s no reason to stop,” Ford said. “It’s just trusting in our teammates. We had a long week of practice and didn’t do so great, but today we put it together.”

Majewski, who also plays linebacker, said Prairie’s practices can be intense. That, in turn, translates on game day to the fast, physical style that Hudson’s Bay couldn’t match.

“We’re dialed this year,” Majewski said. “We all lay into each other at practices. We go 100 percent.”

Prairie might still play with the underdog’s chip on its shoulder. But Ephraim said there’s no reason this squad can’t beat anyone it faces.

“Just watching these guys during the summer and through camp, I knew we had something pretty special,” Ephraim said. “I think it’s my job as defensive coordinator to get the mix right. We have the right recipes. We’ve got the right guys in the right spot, so now it falls on me for us to be productive. I’m very impressed with them.”

Key moments

First in flight — Prairie wasted no time jumping ahead, scoring on the game’s opening drive. Braeden Slamp threw a short pass to Ethan Cabral, who turned on the speed for a 32-yard touchdown.

Twice as nice — Ford had the Falcons flying in the first quarter, scoring on back-to-back carries. His 16-yard run gave Prairie a 14-0 lead seven minutes into the game. Then, two plays after a strong wind held a Bay punt to just five yards, Ford eluded multiple tacklers to score from 25 yards out.

First-half capped — Prairie ended the first half with an exclamation point. Slamp connected with Alex Juhl for a 24-yard touchdown pass, putting the Falcons ahead 35-0 with 35 seconds left in the half. Prairie outgained Hudson’s Bay 236-67 in the first half.

PRAIRIE 56, HUDSON’S BAY 0

Hudson’s Bay 0 0 0 0—0

Prairie 21 14 14 7—56

First quarter

P — Ethan Cabral 32 pass from Braeden Slamp (Ashton Fergason kick)

P — Alex Ford 16 run (Fergason kick)

P — Ford 25 run (Fergason kick)

Second quarter

P — Colby Mejewski 1 run (Fergason kick)

P — Alex Juhl 24 pass from Slamp (Fergason kick)

Third quarter

P — Ford 12 run (Fergason kick)

P — Majewski 20 run (Fergason kick)

Fourth quarter

P — Aiden Miller 99 interception return (Fergason kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Hudson’s Bay: Rafael Bauman 8-14, Dean Castillo 3-7, Mateo Varona 18-56, Talan Leon Guerrero 2-14, Malukai Hodges 3-10. Prairie: Alex Ford 11-102, Braeden Slamp 3-15; Colby Majewski 4-30, Aiden Miller 2-21.

PASSING — Hudson’s Bay: Dean Castillo 5-20-42-3. Prairie: Braeden Slamp 5-10-116-1.

RECEIVING — Hudson’s Bay: Mykell Gipson 4-40, Mateo Varona 1-2. Prairie: Alex Juhl 2-23; Ethan Cabral 3-68.