The South Hamilton football team will see plenty of road action during the opening weeks of the upcoming season, as the Hawks play four of their first six away from home.

They will close out the campaign with back-to-back games from Taylor Field against two fellow returning playoff qualifiers.

South Hamilton’s schedule for both 2025 and ’26 was released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association earlier this week. In the fall, the Hawks open with perennial contender Saint Ansgar before taking on Panorama and Southeast Valley on the road.

After returning home to meet South Central Calhoun, the Hawks are at East Sac County and Pocahontas Area in back-to-back weeks. They close with Emmetsburg and Manson Northwest Webster.

Last season, the Hawks lost in the Round of 16 to Dike-New Hartford. Emmetsburg and Manson Northwest Webster also reached that round.

East Sac County was a playoff qualifier in 2024.

Following an 0-3 start to the year, South Hamilton won five of its last six decisions to keep the program’s playoff streak intact.

Kolby Hodnefield is slated to be the leading returning rusher for a South Hamilton ground unit that racked up over 2,600 yards. Hodnefield finished with 743 and six touchdowns.

Kaden Dean and Wyatt Gelder combined for 196 yards on the ground, while Jose Babcock, Lyndon Johnson, Brody Harris, Benjamin Swenson and Titus Herrick are all expected to be back as well for the Hawks.

SOUTH HAMILTON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

2025

Aug. 29 Saint Ansgar

Sept. 5 at Panorama

Sept. 12 at Southeast Valley

Sept. 19 South Central Calhoun

Sept. 26 at East Sac County

Oct. 3 at Pocahontas Area

Oct. 10 Emmetsburg

Oct. 17 Manson NW

2026

Aug. 28 at Saint Ansgar

Sept. 4 Panorama

Sept. 11 Southeast Valley

Sept. 18 at South Central Calhoun

Sept. 25 East Sac County

Oct. 2 Pocahontas Area

Oct. 9 at Emmetsburg

Oct. 16 at Manson NW