WILMINGTON — On a night where Wilmington celebrated its senior class, the Hurricane delivered a dominant 49-14 win over SBAAC American Division rival New Richmond Friday night.

The win allowed WHS to overtake New Richmond in the league standings and move into third place.

The Hurricane is 5-4 overall, 2-2 in league play. The Lions drop to 5-4 with the loss, 1-3 in the American.

“I got these young men (the seniors) when they were sophomores and they do anything I ask them to do,” WHS head coach Ryan Evans Sr. said after the game. “They fight hard, they’re a resilient group, anything you ask them to do they’ll do. I love that about them. They’re hard working, they don’t make a lot of excuses, I’m going to miss that out of this group. Still got games to win, but so far that’s what it’s been. I’m going to miss them.”

The game started out disastrous for the Hurricane. After bobbling the opening kick, NR return man Cohen Manning picked the ball up and weaved in and out of traffic to take it 97 yards for a 7-0 Lions lead.

Payden Mowyer showed the Alumni Field crowd that the visitors were the only ones with an elite return game, returning the NR kick to the 45. Even with the stellar field position, Wilmington went three and out.

This ended up working out, though, for Wilmington as the punt was muffed and the Cane offense took over deep in New Richmond territory after senior Bryant Conley fell on the loose ball.

After being able to convert a fourth down on their first set of downs, Wilmington was again forced to third and long. This time, Jake Stephens, pressured right, bulleted a pass that Zane Smith pulled in at the 3. Three plays later on fourth down, Josiah Puller forced it in to make it 7-7.

NR moved the ball well on the ensuing drive passing midfield before back-to-back huge hits from Malachi Cumberland and Luke Achtermann made it fourth down. The Lions had a man deep, but QB Colton Abner overthrew him and Wilmington took over with a chance to put their feet on the gas.

That’s exactly what they’d do.

On their first play of the drive, Stephens launched one deep to Elijah Stewart to get into NR territory. Then on a fourth down play, Stephens made magic again, firing a ball in between two defenders to Mawyer on the 5. To open the second quarter, Lucas Johnson ran around the end for the touchdown to make it 13-7 after a blocked PAT.

Following a quick three and out by the Lions, the Cane went to work again. They were forced to third and 5 once again and Stephens responded again, this time with a 62-yard touchdown ball to Mawyer making it 20-7.

After an exchange of punts, it wasn’t long before the Hurricane took control again though. After consecutive no gainers on first and second down, the Lions attempted to pass Mawyer’s way, and he’d make them pay picking it off. Two plays later, Johnson took the ball 30 yards for the TD. After a two-point conversion to Zane Smith, the Hurricane was up three touchdowns.

The Lions finally got into Wilmington territory again on their final drive of the half, but back to back pre-snap offensive penalties on fourth down forced a long field goal that wouldn’t go. The Hurricane responded by executing a perfect two minute drill ending with a beautifully run hook and lateral play for Smith who scored with just seconds left in the first half to make it 35-7.

“It’s something we practiced. I was actually a little shocked it got off. In practice it sometimes doesn’t look so good.” said a laughing coach Evans about the play.

From then on, it wasn’t a contest. The Hurricane ended up sending their seniors off Alumni Field in fashion with the 49-14 victory.

Wilmington will finish the regular season next Friday at Western Brown.