The Hancock Owl football team is two games into the 2026 season and is still searching for their first win of the year. The team opened up the season Sept. 3 on the road against Goodrich-Grygla and fell 20-8. Eight days later, the Owls played their home opener against Border West and the Bucs finished the game with a 46-0 win over Hancock to drop the Owls to 0-2.
Goodrich-Grygla 20
Hancock 8
Hancock made the long trip to play Goodrich-Grygla in their season opener. The Owls fell behind 20-0 early in the game and only scored one touchdown to lose their opening game 20-8.
Only one touchdown was scored in the first quarter on a 29-yard passing touchdown from Goodrich-Grygla. They added two more touchdowns on the ground in the second quarter to take a 21-0 advantage into the locker room for halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. Hancock did get on the board in the fourth quarter on a 26-yard pass from Beau Haugen to Jett Nuest to make the final score 20-8.
Starting quarterback Bennett Nesvig finished the game 15 for 36 for 165 yards and an interception. Jett Nuest threw one pass for 26 yards and a touchdown. Osiel Villela led the team in receiving with nine catches for 86 yards. Cole Evink caught two passes for 53 yards and Beau Haugen caught one pass for 26 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Barrett Charles led the team with three solo tackles, three assists and a tackle for loss. Isaac Messner had three solos, three assists and an interception.
GG 8 12 0 0 – 20
Hancock 0 0 0 8 – 8
Scoring plays
1st Quarter
GG – 29-yard passing TD
2nd Quarter
GG – 2-yard rushing TD
GG – 92-yard rushing TD
4th Quarter
Hancock – Beau Haugen 26-yard TD pass to Jett Nuest
Hancock Individual Stats
Passing – Bennett Nesvig 15-36, 165 yards, INT; Jett Nuest 1-1, 26 yards, TD
Rushing – Bennett Nesvig 9-22; Barrett Charles 10-22; Osiel Villela 5-13; Anton Kieffer 2-3
Receiving – Osiel Villela 9-86; Cole Evink 2-53; Beau Haugen 1-26, TD; Jett Nuest 2-16
Defense – Barrett Charles 3 solos, 3 assists, TFL; Beau Haugen 3 solos; Isaac Messner 3 solos, 3 assists, INT; Gunnar Curfman 2 solos, 2 assists, TFL; Cruise Millette 2 solos, 6 assists; Cole Evink 1 solo, 1 assist; Osiel Villela 1 solo, 2 assists; Emmett Charles 1 solo, 2 assists, TFL; Asher Bjerketvedt 1 solo, 2 assists, TFL; Jarrett Payne 1 solo, 1 assist; Bennett Nesvig 2 assists; Christopher McKenna 2 assists
Border West 46
Hancock 0
The Owls hosted one of the top teams in the section for their home opener when they welcomed Border West to Hancock. The Bucs cruised against the Owls and sprinted to a 46-0 win over Hancock.
The Bucs scored twice in the first quarter off short passes to take a 14-0 lead early in the game. Three more Border West touchdowns came in the second quarter to make it 32-0 at the halftime break.
In the second half, Border West scored a touchdown in the third quarter and another in the fourth to make the final score 46-0.
Nesvig finished the game 9 for 21 through the air for 63 yards. Will Haugen caught three of those passes for 21 yards and Jett Nuest caught two balls for 21 yards.
On the ground, Barrett Charles led the team with 34 yards on 11 carries. Osiel Villela added 17 rushing yards off five carries.
The Owls will stay at home this week when they host Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Hancock Friday, Sept. 18.
BW 14 18 6 6 – 46
Hancock 0 0 0 0 – 0
Scoring plays –
1st Quarter
BW 5-yard passing TD 8-0
BW 6-yard passing TD 14-0
2nd Quarter
BW 39-yard passing TD 20-0
BW 4-yard passing TD 26-0
BW 4-yard rushing TD 32-0
3rd Quarter
BW 17-yard rushing TD 38-0
4th Quarter
BW 7-yard rushing TD 46-0
Hancock individual stats
Passing – Bennett Nesvig 9-21, 63 yards
Rushing – Barrett Charles 11-34; Osiel Villela 5-17; Beau Haugen 1-3; Isaac Messner 1-2; Bruce Erdahl 1-1; Adam Evink 1-(-2); Oliver Rinkenberger 2-(-3); Bennett Nesvig 8-(-4)
Receiving – Will Haugen 3-21; Jett Nuest 2-21; Osiel Villela 1-15; Tyson Nohl 1-5; Beau Haugen 1-2; Barrett Charles 1-(-1)
