It was a big day for Austin grad Mike Hoeper and he delivered.

Hoeper, who graduated from AHS in 2009, returned to his old haunts to play football again and he nearly led the Southeast Minnesota Warhawks to their first win of the season as they lost 30-27 to the North Iowa Bucks at Wescott Athletic Complex Saturday.

Hoeper had 120 yards receiving and a touchdown in the loss for the Warhawks, who will play in Wescott on the next three Saturdays at 4 p.m.

“I was a little emotional this morning,” Hoeper said. “It’s been a long time and I kind of had a sour note ending high school. Being here with these guys was awesome. It gives the light back that I kind of felt like I missed.”

The Warkhawks (0-4 overall), who play in the Southern Plains Football League and have players from the surrounding area, took a 27-24 lead when quarterback Anthony Adamson broke a 46-yard scamper that set up a James Robertson one-yard TD plunge with 6:32. The Bucks (3-1 overall) put together their game winning drive by converting a pair of fourth downs and they took the lead for good with 55 seconds left when Greg Falls plunged in from a yard out.

Warhawks head coach Anthony Jackson said his team is getting better as the season goes along and he was pleased with the squad’s effort on Saturday.

“My goal is to at least be .500, so that means we have to win the next four,” Jackson said. “It’s hard for any first year team. All of these guys have to get used to playing with each other.”

Adamson, who is from Illinois and played wide receiver in high school, is still adjusting to playing quarterback. He gave the Warhawks plenty of big plays on Saturday as he ran for 132 yards and a touchdown and threw for 202 yards and two scores.

“It’s definitely a learning curve,” Adamson said. “Coach has helped me a lot about reading defenses and everything. The team carries me a lot. They block well for me and they give me encouragement. Our defense has worked a lot. It’s one of the better defenses in this league.”

SCORING SUMMARY

Bucks 0 8 8 14 — 30

Warhawks 6 7 6 8 — 27

First quarter

(W) Alex Engbrecht 9 pass from Anthony Adamson (kick failed) 8:24

Second quarter

(NI) Walter Saunders Williams-Walter 26 pass from Greg Falls (Jackson from Falls) 8:24

(A) Mike Hoeper 4 pass from Adamson (Robertson kick) 5:19

Third quarter

(W) Adamson 10 run (kick failed) 7:18

(NI) Saunders-Williams 9 run (DeLacy from Adamson) 6:32

Fourth quarter

(NI) No. 27 22 pass from Fall (No. 80 from Adamson) 6:32

(W) Robertson 1 run (Engbrecht from Adamson) 6:32

(NI) Falls 1 run (pass failed) :55

WARHAWKS STATS

Passing: Anthony Adamson, 22-for-26, 202, 2 TD

Receiving: Mike Hoeper, 8-for-120, TD; Alex Engbrecht, 8-for-51, TD; James Trevino, 3-for-15; Shelby Samuels, 1-for-11; James Robertson, 3-for-5;

Rushing: Adamson, 13-for-132, TD; Robertson, 3-for-9, TD

Interceptions: Larkel Lewis, Sr (1)

Turnovers: 3

Penalties: 17-for-139

BUCKS STATS

Passing: 163

Rushing: 118

Penalties: 16-for-167