Owen Simonson rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring run, as Hermantown overcame the absence of star running back Martin Sleen to defeat Esko 21-20 in nonconference high school football Friday night at Centricity Stadium.
The victory improved the Hawks to 5-1 entering the final two games of their regular season, beginning with a Northeast Red Conference and Section 7AAAA matchup against Rock Ridge at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Centricity Stadium. Hermantown will close the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 21, at North Branch.
Sleen, a senior who has established himself as one of Minnesota's leading running backs in rushing yards and touchdowns, is questionable for Wednesday's game against Rock Ridge. The North Dakota State commit rushed for 1,908 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and has continued his remarkable production this fall, including a six-touchdown performance against Duluth East.
His absence Friday presented one of Hermantown's most significant offensive challenges of the season. Sleen has been the Hawks' most explosive offensive player, capable of changing games with long touchdown runs and kickoff returns. Without him, Hermantown turned to Simonson and a rushing attack that controlled possession and ultimately delivered its fifth victory in six games.
Simonson responded with the biggest rushing performance of his season, carrying 23 times and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. His two rushing touchdowns accounted for 12 of Hermantown's 21 points, while quarterback Sawyer Senst connected with Kole Lendzyk for the Hawks' other touchdown.
Hermantown finished with 255 yards of total offense, including 196 rushing yards on 45 attempts. The Hawks held a substantial advantage in time of possession, controlling the football for 28 minutes, 35 seconds, compared with 15:13 for Esko.
The Hawks trailed 14-7 after the opening quarter before tying the game 14-14 at halftime. Hermantown scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and protected its narrow advantage after Esko answered with six points. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
Hermantown's commitment to the running game proved decisive. Simonson supplied the explosive plays, while Kalven Skur added 42 yards on 14 carries. Elijah Carlsness contributed a two-yard rush, and Sawyer Johnson added one yard as the Hawks continued to rely on their offensive line and ground attack.
Senst completed 6 of 13 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Lendzyk was his primary target, catching four passes for 31 yards and the scoring reception. Ayden Maki added a 22-yard catch, while Simonson contributed a six-yard reception.
Hermantown was particularly effective in critical situations, converting all four fourth-down attempts. The Hawks generated 17 first downs, including 12 rushing, and committed six penalties for 50 yards.
Esko relied heavily on its passing attack, with quarterback Eathan Dallman completing 10 of 20 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Derek Nooyen caught three passes for 64 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown reception, while Braxdyn Male finished with four receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Eagan Harker added two catches for 21 yards, and Owen Zywicki had one reception for 13 yards.
Benjamin Schmitz led Esko's rushing attack with 55 yards on eight carries, averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. Broderick Marsh contributed 12 yards on three attempts.
Esko finished with 212 yards of total offense, including 74 rushing yards, and recorded 13 first downs. The Eskomos converted four of eight third-down opportunities but were penalized 11 times for 101 yards, a significant disadvantage in a game decided by a single point.
For Hermantown, the victory was an important response to its first loss of the season, a 24-15 setback at Grand Rapids on Oct. 2. The Hawks had opened the season with convincing victories over Duluth Denfeld, Proctor, Duluth East and Cloquet before encountering their first defeat.
Friday's performance also demonstrated that Hermantown has offensive options beyond Sleen, although his availability could become increasingly important as the Hawks approach the Section 7AAAA playoffs.
Hermantown remains in contention for a favorable playoff seed, but questions surrounding Sleen's availability add uncertainty entering the final stretch of the season. His return would restore one of Minnesota's most dangerous offensive weapons to a team that has averaged nearly 40 points in its five victories.
For now, Friday's one-point victory provided evidence of Hermantown's depth and resilience. Simonson delivered when the Hawks needed a leading rusher, the defense protected a narrow second-half advantage, and Hermantown found a way to win without its biggest offensive star.