For the first time ever, Hiawatha and Royal Valley met on the field of play as members of the newly formed Big East League.  Both teams were coming into this season with a few questions marks and memories of very physical game last season when Hiawatha was able to pick up the 14-13 victory in week 1 to start the 2023 season.

Hiawatha was looking to some experienced upper classmen to lead the way along with a new coaching staff while Royal Valley looked to build off a three-win season last year while returning a very strong and physical offensive and defensive line.  

Royal Valley won the toss and deferred to the second half giving the Redhawks the ball to open the game.  The Redhawks would pound the ball between the hashmarks and were able to pick up the first score of the game on a Josh Monaghan touchdown run.  Leyton Fordyce added the extra point to make it 7-0 Hiawatha.  

Not to be out done, Royal Valley took their opening possession the length of the field as well and were able to find the endzone on the shoulders of senior Jaxson Stevens who took it in for a short touchdown run.  The Panthers would go for the 2-point conversion but came up just short keeping the score at 7 to 6 in favor of the Redhawks.  

Both teams would trade three possessions the rest of the way through the first half with the Panthers punting once, turning it over on downs and then ending the 2nd quarter near midfield.  Hiawatha was also unable to get much going on offense the rest of the way through the first half, punting twice and turning the ball over on a fumble near the Royal Valley 40-yard line.  

Royal Valley was able to capitalize quickly in the 3rd quarter when Jaxson Stevens found the endzone for the second time in the game on another short run.  The two-point try was again unsuccessful as the Panthers took the lead, 12 to 7.  

After only a couple of penalties on either team in the first half, both teams got bit by the penalty bug as each team traded possessions that saw both teams struggle to find any offensive momentum.  That changed when sophomore Manny Oliveira dashed up the home teams’ sideline for a 24-yard touchdown run.  Hiawatha was able to hold again on the 2-point try to keep the score at 18 to 7 Royal Valley.

Things got very interesting very quickly on the ensuing kickoff when Hiawatha Junior Ethan Morton struck pay dirt on a 75-yard kickoff return to cut the lead to just 5.  Hiawatha would go for two to try to cut the lead to just a field goal, but the Panther defense was able coral Monaghan in the back field to protect their five-point lead.  

The Hiawatha defense was then able to hold on two separate Panther possessions, forcing a punt late in the 4th.  The Redhawks avoided disaster when the punt was touched on the return attempt and skipped away only to be covered up by Hiawatha.  However, the Redhawks found themselves pinned deep in their own territory on the 16.  

Hiawatha kept the ball on the ground and was able to drive to the Royal Valley 40 as time ticked under two minutes to go in the game.  A couple of ill-timed penalties negated a few nice plays and pushed Hiawatha back setting them up with a 4th and 20 with just under a minute to go at the Royal Valley 48.  A pass from Bradyn Newel to Conner Kettler picked up 19 yards, leaving the Redhawks short just one yard needed to keep the drive alive.

Royal Valley took over on downs and was able to finish the game in victory formation securing the win 18 to 13 in an instant classic between these two rivals.  

Up next for Hiawatha is another tough road game at Marysville while Royal Valley travels to Jeff West looking to go 2 and 0 in the inaugural year of the Big East League.