Owls battle Underwood but fall short

HANCOCK - Hancock took an early lead but Underwood took advantage of three Owls turnovers and won 28-19 on Friday night.

Even after Rockets took the lead, Hancock had a shot in the final minutes, but a third turnover and an Underwood fourth-down conversion sealed the game.

"They are a tough team," said Hancock head coach Chad Christianson. "But we were in it right down to the end."

Owls' quarterback Preston Rohloff threw touchdown passes to Brandon Kellenberger, Danny Milander and Tyler Timmerman, but he also threw two interceptions and the Owls also lost a fumble.

Hancock had a shot on a third-down play from the 11 yard line with about two minutes to play, but Underwood intercepted a pass in the end zone, then converted the fourth-down play and ran out the clock.

"We had a chance to be in the game but you can't turn the ball over three times against a tough team like that," Christianson said.

The Owls travel to play at Wheaton at 7 p.m. Friday.

1/4: Hancock's Jed Fuechtenberger (27) maintains control of the ball as Underwood's Daxton Olson tries to strip it loose during the first quarter on Friday in Hancock. Tom Larson / Tribune

2/4: Hancock quarterback Preston Rohloff speeds through a hole during the first quarter against Underwood on Friday in Hancock. Tom Larson / Tribune

3/4: Hancock's Cole Reese puts a lick on Underwood quarterback Daxton Olson during the first quarter on Friday in Hancock. Tom Larson / Tribune

4/4: Hancock's Tyler Timmerman spins out of a tackle against Underwood in the first quarter on Friday in Hancock. Tom Larson / Tribune