The Sudan Hornets came up short against the Hale Center Owls on Friday night, falling, 50-29.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 4- 4 overall on the season, 1- 2 in district play.
The Hornets totaled 346 yards of offense, including 211 rushing yards and 135 passing yards.
Hale Center opened the game with a 37- yard touchdown through the air, but Sudan responded with a 28- yard field goal by Caleb Groetken to cut the lead to, 7- 3, going into the second quarter.
In the second frame, the Owls struck again through the air, this time on an 18- yard passing touchdown. Their PAT was good, pushing the lead to, 14- 3. Sudan would respond again, as Marcello King rushed for a 42- yard touchdown, followed by the PAT from Groetken, slicing the lead to, 14- 10. The Hornet defense would get in on the scoring, as Angel Martinez returned an interception 36 yards for the pick- six, but the PAT by Groetken was no good, putting Sudan in front, 16-14.
Hale Center responded with a 28- yard rushing touchdown, followed by the two-point conversion, stretching their lead to22-16, but Sudan would close out the first half with a oneyard rushing touchdown by Groetken to tie the game, 2222, going into the locker room at halftime.
Hale Center opened the second half with a 30-yard touchdown strike through the air, followed by the PAT to put them in front, 29-22. Sudan responded, as Groetken connected with Jaibryn Ornelas for a 28- yard touchdown. Groetken drilled the PAT to tie the game, 29-29, but Hale Center would close out the game with 21 unanswered points to take the district match- up, 5029.
Offensively, Groetken finished the game, 8- 15 passing for 124 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Cal Carter was 1- 4 passing for 11 yards and an interception.
King led the Hornet rushing attack with 18 carries for 134 yards and one touchdown, while Groetken tallied 13 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Braxtyn Harrell led the receiving game with one catch for 46 yards and Ornelas tallied two catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. Aspen Reyher added three catches for 31 yards and Carter tallied three catches for 13 yards.
Defensively, Martinez had four tackles, including one for loss and a pick-six, while Javier Avila led the team in tackles with 15. Aybran Granados tallied 12 tackles, including one for loss, while Andrew Larson chipped in eight tackles King finished with seven tackles.
The Hornets will be at home to take on Morton for senior night on Friday.
Kick- off is scheduled for 7 p.m.