Head coach Devon Diederichs said it all clicked into place for the Wolverines’ Senior Night, and GMG rolled to its first win of the season, 52-0 over Meskwaki at the GMG football field.

“I’m so happy for our seniors, first off,” Diederichs said. “They’ve been through a lot of peaks and valleys with this program, and they kept our team together, so to come out here and honor them and play well, it’s really cool to see.”

GMG’s defense held Meskwaki to 11 yards of first-half total offense and forced five Meskwaki (0-7) turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Jacob Cornwell in the end zone for a touchdown just before halftime.

“Our defensive coordinator did a phenomenal job and our D-line coach did a really good job of prepping for this week, because we knew they were going to be tough,” Diederichs said. “Meskwaki played a really tough game, but our line did a really good job.”

T-R PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER - GMG Connor Rahn (12) is brought down by a pair of Meskwaki defenders during Friday’s football game in Garwin.

The Wolverines (1-6) also scored rushing touchdowns in the first half from Easton Sash, Connor Rahn, and a big-man TD on a direct snap to Joaquin Williams that allowed a lineman to get some direct glory.

Rahn still deferred to the line’s prowess in their rushing success on Friday.

“Our O-line did amazing,” Rahn said. “And we just played hard. The guys came off the ball hard, showed that they wanted to win and just put in 100 percent effort.”

Cornwell added a 14-yard reception for a touchdown on an Ethan Klemesrud pass in the first half. With the continuous clock running in the 2nd half, GMG added a touchdown catch from Jacoby Woodbury from Klemesrud; Klemesrud ran in a touchdown of his own in the second half with a 47-yard scamper.

“We’ve been struggling this season, so this definitely meant a lot,” Rahn said. “We all really wanted to come out here and win one not just for us seniors but for the juniors and underclassmen, it means a lot to all of us.

“As the season’s gone on, we’ve been able to come around and talk a lot more, hold each other accountable in a positive way.”

After six losses to start the season, including a tough-to-swallow homecoming loss against Waterloo Christian on Sept. 20, Diederichs is proud of the Wolverines for sticking with it.

“When you face adversity you can either throw in the towel or keep going,” Diederichs said. “They continued to fight, they continued to respond, and I couldn’t have done it without these seniors leading them.”

Rahn, Williams, Cornwell and Brady Harmon were among the seniors honored in several different activities at Friday’s event.

Meskwaki’s regular-season finale is at home against Clarksville next Friday.

Diederichs implored the Wolverines to enjoy this one, and then get ready for a big test at Gladbrook-Reinbeck next Friday.

“I think it’s going to be a very positive week of practice,” Rahn added. “We’re going to want to work harder, play harder, and try to get a win against a very good school. I think this will really carry on to next week and even to next year, too.”