The 1000 Yard Guy

Classes D-1 and D-2

Class D-1

1.   Pawnee City………………8-0      {MUDECAS Tourney  Tue. vs. BDS (8-2)}

2.   O’Neill St. Marys ………..8-0      {Thur. @ Ewing (4-6)   Sat. Chambers/Wheeler Central (8-3)}

3.   Humphrey St. Francis …7-1      {Fri  Leigh (2-7)   Sat.  Madison (0-9)}

4.   BDS …………………………8-2      {MUDECAS Tourney Tue. vs. Pawnee City (8-1)}

5.   West Point GACC ……….5-4      {Tue. @Wahoo Neumann (5-4)  Fri.@ Battle Creek. (2-6) Sat.  Boone Central (4-6)}

6.   Paxton ……………………..9-1     {Fri. Wallace (2-5)   Sat. Creek Valley (3-4)}

7.   High Plains ………………..7-3     {Tue.  Palmer (4-5) Thur @Twin River (9-3)  Fri. Dorchester (0-9)}

8.   Overton ……………………7-2     {Fri.  North Platte St. Pats (8-2)  Sat. @ Bertrand (5-6)}

9.   Randoplh ………………….6-3      {Tue. @ West Holt (2-9)  Fri.  Wausa (9-3)}

10. Kenesaw …………………..7-3      {Tue. @Giltner (10-0)   Fri. Lawrence-Nelson (2-7) Sat.@Elm Creek (6-5)}

*Considered: Exeter-Milligan 8-1, Humphrey 7-4, Deshler 6-3, Bancroft-Rosalie 9-3, West Boyd 8-1, Sandhills-Thedford 7-3, Chambers/Wheeler Central 8-3.

Pawnee City moves into the top slot after previous #1 BDS’ 19 point loss to D-2′s top dog, Giltner.  Humphrey St. Francis and O’Neill St. Marys slide up one spot each and BDS slips to 4th.

Teams holding numbers 5 through 10 spots remain the same.  Randolph is not punished for a loss to unbeaten Creighton, who is now rated 9th in C-2.

The 83rd MUDECAS tournament gets under way at the Beatrice City Auditorium and SE Community’s Truman Center this week.  Boys start play on Tuesday, and 4 teams that hold down ratings slots and several others that are knocking on the ratings door are involved.  BDS can redeem itself by winning it’s 1st round match-up with D-1′s top rated Pawnee City.

Class D-2

1.  Giltner ……………………10-0      {Tue. Kenesaw (7-3)   Fri. Osceola (6-3)}

2.  Howells …………………..8-1        {Fri. @Wisner-Pilger (7-4)  Sat. Newman Grove (3-7)}

3.  Sterling …………………..10-2      {MUDECAS Tourney  Tue. vs. Nebr. City Lourdes (8-4)}

4.  Wynot ……………………11-1       {Tue. @Niobrara-Verdigre (4-7)   Fri. Winnebago (7-3)}

5.  GI Heartland Lutheran..8-3        {Tue. @ Hampton (4-6)   St. Edward (1-8)}

6.  Falls City Sacred Heart..6-3        {MUDCECAS Tourney Tue. vs. Johnson County Central (7-1)}

7.  Pleasanton ………………7-3        {Fri. @ Amherst (6-5)  Sat.  SEM (5-5)}

8.  Brady ……………………..9-1        {Fri. @Hayes Center (6-3)  Sat. South Loup (4-3)

9.  Dodge …………………….9-1       {Tue. @Oakland-Craig (7-4)  Thur@ Lindsay Holy Family (4-7)  Fri. @ Clarkson (8-3)}

10  Loomis …………………..7-3       {Fri. Wilcox-Hildreth (2-8)  Sat. @Elwood (6-1)

*Considered:  Wausa 9-3, Clarkson 8-3, Lewiston, 5-2, Hayes Center 6-3

Giltner strenghtens it’s number one rating with that 45-26 win over previous D-1 number 1 BDS.  Howells, Sterling, and Wynot all remain the same, and Grand Island Heartland Lutheran holds on to #5 despite it’s loss to C-2′s #4 Lutheran High NE.  The Red Hornets of coach Lloyd Wagnitz also beat C-1 Lincoln Lutheran 61-55 in the Lutheran Invitational Tournament last week at Concordia’s University’s magnificient facility.  Falls City Sacred Heart stays at #6, but Loomis slides from 7th to 10th because of the Wolves 13 point loss to Arapahoe (8-4).  Pleasanton, Brady, and Dodge all advance one slot.

Falls City SH faces C-2′s #10 Johnson County Central in the opening round of the MUDECAS tourney Tuesday at 7:00 at the Beatrice City Auditorium.  #3 Sterling drew Nebraska City Lourdes (8-4) in the same tournament Tuesday at 8:45 in the nightcap.

This Week’s top games:

Tuesday:

Class B:  Boys Town @ Gretna

Class C-1: Pierce @ Columbus Lakeview, Hastings St. Cecilia @ Boone Central, Minden @ Ravenna

Class C-2: Dodge @ Oakland-Craig, Aquinas @ Twin River

Class D-2: Kenesaw @ Giltner

Thursday:

Class C-1: St. Paul @ Kearney Catholic,

Class C-2: Ravenna @ Shelton, High Plains @ Twin River

Friday:

Class B: Scottsbluff @ Cheyenne East, Elkhorn @ Lincoln Pius X, Gretna @ Nebraska City, Adams Central @ Grand Island Northwest, Omaha Skutt @ Omaha Gross

Class C-1: Hartington CC @ Pierce, Milford @ Tri-County

Class C-2: North Platte St. Pats @ Overton

Class D-1: Winnebago @ Wynot

Class D-2: West Boyd @ CWC, Dodge @ Clarkson

Saturday:

Class B: Beatrice @ South Sioux City

Class C-1: Doniphan-Trumbull @ Adams Central, Wayne @ Boys Town, Hastings St. Cecilia @ Kearney Catholic

Class C-2: O’Neill @ Creighton, Sutton @ Tri-County

Class D-2: CWC @ O’Neill St. Marys

Sargent's 2000 Yard Runner, Jed Fenske

(*Photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

CLASS D-2
OFFENSE

QB  Colin Janitscheck-Pleasanton   5-9, 150  Sr.

RB  Jed Fenske-Sargent   5-9, 165  Sr.

RB  Kalan Anderson-Loomis   5-10, 170  Sr.

RB  Trent Mastny-Howells   6-0, 205  Sr.

L  Logan Rath-Giltner   6-4, 240  Sr.

L  Jordan Brichacek-Howells   6-5, 245  Sr.

End  Taylor Roan-Humphrey   5-10, 180  Sr.

End  Ty Ottoson-Potter-Dix   6-1, 170  Sr.

DEFENSE

L  Brian Bayer-Howells   6-5, 230  Sr.

L  Ryan Moser-Sargent   5-10, 285  Jr.

L  Nathan Bazata-Howells   6-3, 260  Jr.

LB  Drew Ott-Giltner   6-4, 240  Sr.

LB  Dexter Hanzel-Humphrey   6-0, 215  Sr.

LB  Garrett Borcher-Pawnee City   6-0, 215  Sr.

DB  Tait Sibbel-O’Neill St. Marys   6-1, 185  Sr.

DB  Guy Fenske-Sargent   6-2, 190  Sr.

Elgin/Pope John's Nash Schindler breaks away

(*photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

CLASS D-1
OFFENSE

QB  Ryan Mitteis-Creighton   6-1, 175  Sr.

RB  Tanner Fate-High Plains   5-11, 160  Jr.

RB  Garrett Kolling-Alma   5-9, 160  Sr.

RB  Luke Dlouhy-Deshler   5-9, 160  Sr.

RB  Nate Hass-West Point Guardian Angels C.C.   5-11, 160  Jr.

L  Kai Wolf-Alma   6-4, 300  Sr.

L  John Clouse-Friend   6-3, 240  Sr.

L  Severin Bach-Randolph   6-4, 260  Sr.

End  Zach Weitfeld-West Point Guardian Angels C.C.   6-0, 170

DEFENSE

L  Kellen Unvert-Freeman   6-5, 215  Sr.

L  Austin Peatrowsky-West Point Guardian Angels C.C.   6-0, 190  Sr.

LB  Jake Olmstead-Overton   6-2, 205  Sr.

LB  Andrew Heitoff-Elgin/Pope John   5-10, 190  Jr.

LB  Cogan Thompson-Kenesaw   6-1, 200 Sr.

DB  Troy McCuiston-Newman Grove   5-11, 170  Sr.

DB   Tyler Schnitzler-Kenesaw   6-0, 170  Jr.

DB  Grant Beckman-Elgin/Pope John   5-10, 165  Sr.

Crofton's 2000 yard rusher, Tom Peitz

CLASS C-2

QB  Grant Teckmeyer-Lincoln Christian   6-3, 215  Sr.

RB  Tom Peitz-Crofton   5-11, 210  Sr.

RB  Anthony Pacheco-Kearney Catholic   5-9, 175  Sr.

RB  Tanner Zlab-Wilber-Clatonia   5-10, 180  Sr.

L  Joseph Wahlmeier_Hastings St. Cecilia   6-3, 230  Sr.

L  Mike Schoff-Cambridge   6-6, 290  Sr.

L  David Squires-Kearney Catholic   6-2, 250  Jr.

L  Nathan Hoffman-Crofton   6-2, 230  Sr.

WR  Eric Francois-Nebraska City Lourdes   6-0, 165  Sr.

WR  Matt Sleister-Fremont Bergan   6-1, 185   Sr.

WR  Levi Gipson-Lincoln Christian   6-2, 180  Sr.

K  Matt Kissinger-Hastings St. Cecilia   6-0, 180   Sr.

DEFENSE

L   Seth Hoffman-Aquinas Catholic  6-0, 210  Jr.

L   Sam Hahn-Tri-County   6-5, 240  Sr.

L    Andrew Vinton-North Platte St. Patrick   6-0, 190   Sr.

LB  Kalen Vadenburg- Aquinas Catholic   5-11, 180  Sr.

LB  Alex Lowe-Kearney Catholic   6-0, 180  Sr.

LB  Austin Svoboda- Aquinas Catholic   5-10, 195  Jr.

LB  Joel Grafel-Hastings St. Cecilia   6-0, 180  Jr.

DB  Brian Husmann-Kearney Catholic  5-10, 175  Jr.

DB  Spencer Nickolite-Stanton   5-11, 180  Sr.

DB  Landon Stouffer-Aquinas Catholic   5-10, 170  Jr.

P   Garrett Bunde-Doniphan-Trumbull   6-2, 245  Sr.

Drew Schroeder-Arlington RB

CLASS C-1 – OFFENSE

QB  Garrett Folchert-Ogallala   5-11, 165  Sr.

RB  Tyler Kavan-Wahoo   5-10, 170  Sr.

RB  Drew Schroeder-Arlington   5-8, 165  Sr.

RB  John Jeffers-Ogallala   5-8, 150  Sr.

L  Brandon Barta-David City   5-10, 235  Sr.

L  Mason Rohrich-Pierce   6-0, 195  Sr.

L  Scott Volmer-Norfolk Catholic   5-11, 215

L  Josh Jochim-Platteview   5-11, 195  Sr.

WR  Logan Paben-Columbus Lakeview   5-10, 150  Jr.

WR  Dalton Jenkins-Tekamah-Herman   6-1, 175  Sr.

K  Drew Farlee-Norfolk Catholic   6-0, 170  Sr.

DEFENSE

L  Michael Gill-Ogallala   6-0, 210  Sr.

L  Cody Ramaekers-Norfolk Catholic  6-0, 175  Sr.

L  Justin Cloyd-Platteview   5-10, 180  Sr.

DE  Connor Ketter-Norfolk Catholic  6-5, 220  Jr.

LB  Shelton Dvorak-Pierce   5-9, 165   Sr.

LB  Kyle Schaefer-Norfolk Catholic  5-10, 190  Jr.

LB  Cooper Sedlacek-Omaha Roncalli   5-11, 215  Jr.

DB  Carson Blum-Minden   5-11, 180  Sr.

DB  Preston Luedtke-Columbus Lakeview   5-10, 170  Jr.

DB  Cole Chvatal-Wahoo Neumann   5-11, 170  Sr.

P  Jordan Bellar-Norfolk Catholic  6-0, 160  Jr.

CLASS B –
Offense

QB  Derek McGinnis-Crete  6-3, 205   Sr.

RB  Graham Nabity-Elkhorn  6-0, 200  Sr.

RB  Jake Fowler-Hastings Adams Central   5-10, 180  Jr.

RB  James Kruger-Norris   5-10  185  Jr.

L  Garrett Johns-Aurora   6-2, 280  Sr.

L  Ross Dzuris-Plattsmouth   6-2, 225  Sr.

L  Chase Sherman-Crete  6-1, 275  Sr.

L  Chase Buresh-Elkhorn  6-0, 265  Sr.

WR  Corey Kalkworf-Crete   5-7, 150  Sr.

WR  Fernando Hildreth-Boys Town     Sr.

WR  Ryan Reynolds-Lexington   6-3, 180  Sr.

K       Zach Decker-Beatrice   6-1, 190  Jr.

DEFENSE:

L  Jesse Ackerman-Adams Central  6-2, 200 Jr.

L  Payton Lange-Elkhorn  6-5, 220  Sr.

L  Seth Rohrer-Scottsbluff   6-0, 205  Sr.

LB  Chris Weber-Elkhorn  6-3, 190  Jr.

LB  Jake Schany-Blair   6-2, 210  Sr.

LB  Andy Janovich-Gretna   6-2, 210  Sr.

LB  Colton Mach-Crete  6-1, 210  Sr.

DB  Brandon Freeman-Pierce  6-0, 170  Sr.

DB  Matt Chitwood-McCook  6-2, 180  Sr.

DB  Brad Simpson-Ralston   6-2, 205  Sr.

P  Jeremy Callahan-Lexington  Sr.

Elkhorn's Graham Nabity, Class B's premier RB.

 

Omaha Burke RB, Jordan Nelson

CLASS A – Offense

QB  Ryker Fyfe-Grand Island   6-4, 190  Sr.

RB  Isaac Aakre – Millard North   6-0, 190  Jr.

RB  Devin Washington-Lincoln SE   5-8, 170  Jr.

RB  Jordan Nelson-Omaha Burke  Sr.   5-9, 185  Sr.

RB  Jackie Davis-Omaha Central    5-8, 165  Jr.

OL  Robbie LaFour-Lincoln SE  Sr.  5-10, 270  Sr.

OL  Hunter Greer-Omaha Burke    6-7, 315  Sr.

OL  Landon Arnold-Millard North    6-1, 260 Sr

WR  Zach Oliver-Omaha Burke    6-3, 190  Sr.

WR  Desmond Robinson-Lincoln SE    5-11, 165  Jr.

WR  Sam Foltz-Grand Island    6-1, 185  Sr.

K    Tay Bender-Lincoln SW   6-4, 205 Sr.

Defense

L  Sam Cotton-Lincoln SE   6-4, 235 Sr.

L  Dylan Utter-Papillion LaVista   6-3, 305 Sr.

LB  Rajaah Jones-Omaha Central  5-8, 185 Jr.

LB  Adam Klanecky-Lincoln SE   6-2, 190 Sr.

LB  Mitch McCann-Omaha Burke   6-2, 220 Sr.

LB  Jeremy Queen-Omaha Burke  5-9, 180 Sr.

LB  Chris Bailey-Millard North   6-0, 235 Sr.

LB  Christian Boehm-Lincoln SE  5-7, 185 Sr.

DB  Bo Liekhus-Bellevue West   5-11, 185   Sr.

DB  Trae Priest-Papillion LV   6-0, 170  Sr.

DB  Joshua Bandaras-Lincoln SW   6-2, 205  Jr.

DB  Dylan Dragoo-Lincoln SE   6-1, 170  Sr.

Aquinas Coach Ron Mimick celebrates a C-2 Crown.

(*photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

The 2011 Nebraska high school football finals and the season drew to a close Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln with a game for the ages.  The Class a State Championship between Lincoln Southeast and Omaha Burke was one whale of a football game to behold and just to be on the sidelines to witness that baby sent shivers up your spine.  Let me offer my thoughts on these 6 contests and what I observed.

Class D-2: Sargent 21 – 18 Howells

This was a rematch from a year ago when Howells pummeled the Bulldogs, who were without a banged up Jed Fenske.  The Bobcats cruised 46-7 and Sargent had 365 days to think about this spanking with most of their team returning for the 2011 campaign.  The Bulldogs established the fact they could play with Howells physically on their opening drive by going 46 yards in 8 plays to score.  A healthy Jed Fenske scored from 14 yards out, then again from 18 yards and the Bulldogs had an early 14-0 lead that they never relinquished.  Do Not get me wrong, standing on the Howells sideline, I could see the Bobcats were ready to play as usual, but you could just sense the electricity from Sargent’s side of the field all the way across that Memorial Stadium field.  The Sargent team prepared the entire season for this game and there seemed to be no way anybody was going to stop them, not even the mighty Howells.

Jed Fenske rushed for 87 yards, surpassing the 2000 yard mark for the season in leading his team to their first ever State Championship in any sport.  This was the final game for either team before they joined forces with another school for the 2012/2013 season.  Howells leading runner, Trent Mastny (a 2,000 yard rusher a year ago) entered the game with a lingering calf injury and it dogged the fine player the entire game.  Mike Speirs backup RB, Matt Gooch, who had 894 yards coming in, was eventually knocked out from the game with a hip flexor and freshman Jesse Faltys had to take over.  The Bobcats, who had won nine straight 8-man state titles coming into this one made a valient comeback, but fell short as the Bulldogs realized their year long dream.

You can bet the farm my D-2 all-state team will be dotted with players from these two stalwarts.

I was so impressed with Sargent quarterback Guy Fenske, who completed 8-12 passes for 105 yards and a score, rushed for 33 yards, and absolutely punished some heads on defense by making 17 tackles.  Jed Fenske topped that with 21 stops.  Hearty congratulations to Sargent coach Mike Kozeal, who is one of the smartest football minds around.  On the other side of the coin, Mike Speirs “ain’t” too bad himself!

Class D-1: Elgin/Elgin Pope John 44-14 West Point Guardian Angels Central Catholic

First of all, I would love to see WPGACC’s full name scrolled across the front (or rear for that matter) of a uniform.  That would an an accomplishment.  At any rate,  when I watched Elgin/Pope John beat Kenesaw a week ago in the semi finals, I had a hunch this team was headed for a state crown.  This is not the biggest team (size wise) in the world, but they know how to play football the right way and players like 5-11, 160 pound Nash Schindler play the game with such high intensity it is difficult for anyone to match it.  Quarterback Ross Schindler is about as slick a signal caller as they come,  playing like Houdini in the backfield with his well disguised belly fakes to the fullback.  On the defensive side of the ball it had to be a blur seeing him tuck the ball into Blake Anderson’s gut,  then wonder whether he was going to leave it or pull it back out and take off.  On one occasion, Schindler faked a handoff to both cousin Nash Schindler then Anderson, stood there for a full two count with the ball hidden on his hip, then set sail around the end for a 28 yard gain.

Nash Schindler gained steam as the game progressed and finished the day with 162 yards on 22 carries.  He scored on a 33 yard run a snared a 32 yard TD pass from Ross Schindler.  Ross ran for 108 yards and only threw 8 times, but completed 6 of those for 97 yards and 2 scores.  The Wolfpack defense was flying all over the artificial turf, led by Andrew Heithoff and Kyle Heithoff, along with the multi-talented Nash Schindler.  That Elgin/Pope John “D” limited 1,894 yard rusher Nathaniel Hass to just 54 yards on 18 carries and managed to limit Bluejay quarterback Eric Weitfeld and WR Zach Weitfeld to just one score for the day.  Eric Weitfeld did pass for 139 yards and Zach caught 5 passes for 99 yards, including a beautiful 49 yard TD reception in the 3rd quarter, but when it was all said and done, Elgin/Pope John outgained the defending D-1 champs by a whopping 409 to 218 total yards.

There was not one fumble or interception in this contest, but the tell-tale 3rd down conversions told a big part of the outcome when the Wolfpack converted 7 of 11, while WPGA could only find success on 4 of 14.  Both squads have some key players returning for next season, especially Elgin/Pope John who returns Ross Schindler.  The co-op between Elgin and Pope John is in only their second season of existence which makes this title even sweeter.

Class C-2: Aquinas Catholic 27 – 13 Kearney Catholic

This was the one I was waiting for.  Coach Ron Mimick’s Monarchs swept through the season unscathed and Kearney Catholic’s only loss had been to defending C-2 champ Hastings St. Cecilia on opening night.  Aquinas featured a smothering defense and an offense that featured as many as TEN different backs touching the ball in most games.  The Stars featured a brutal 4 linebacker defense that prided itself on physical play and an offense that had slick misdirection plays and a splendid 1000 yard runner in Anthony Pacheco.  This senior class at Kearney Catholic had played together for 4 years and were top notch athletes, not only in football, but on the basketball court as well.

Aquinas’ defense set up situations for the offense all afternoon, causing fumbles and pirating passes.  Kearney Catholic suffered a severe setback in the 2nd quarter when QB Abe Clinch was knocked out of the game with a concussion, but the way Aquinas was playing, I still firmly believe the Monarchs would have prevailed even with Clinch in there.  I still think you would be hard pressed to find a coach as well-rounded as Ronnie Mimick, who makes the game of football a total team effort and takes every situation on the field and compares it to a lesson in life, preparing his players for what lies well beyond high school football.

To illustrate how solid both of these defenses were, Aquinas could muster only 170 yards of total offense, but Kearney Catholic was held to just 143.  If you were an offensive guru, this game was not for you, but if you are a connisseur of football strategy, you had to be in heaven watching Ron Mimick and Dave Colling play the chess match.

There were only 10 passes thrown in the game and turnovers and field position were paramount.  Aquinas punter Seth Hoffman kept the Stars pinned back all day with his 5 punts that averaged 41.2 yards a boot.  Hoffman also used his 5-10, 205 pound frame to pound the middle of the excellent KC defense for key yards (45-12 carries).  RB, Austin Svoboda also ran well, gaining 52 yards on 11 totes.  Svoboda hit paydirt from 1 and 9 yards out.  The stout, blitzing Monarch defense halted Anthony Pacheco to 52 yards on 19 tries. Svoboda and Jacob Bartunek did some major damage on defense for Aquinas, but the player that sparkled on that side of the ball was Kearney Catholic linebacker Alex Lowe.  I firmly believe that Lowe could start for any Class A school in the state and be a Super State linebacker.  This vicious hitter, who plays at warp speed 110% of the time, had an amazing 102 solo tackles coming into this game, plus 51 assisted stops for a ridiculous total of 255 tackles points.  For good measure he added 6 quartterback sacks, intercepted 2 passes and recovered a fumble.  Impressed yet?

By the way, David City Aquinas has a record of 42-15 in the playoffs since they first qualified in 1980.  Rom Mimick pushed his career coaching record to an 227 wins and 102 losses.

Tomorrow we look at Classes C-1, B and A……..

365 long days contemplating revenge is over for the Sargent football team.  The Bulldogs went head to head physically with the mighty Howells one year after being blown out in the D-2 State Championship game and defeated the Bobcats 21-18 this 2011 Title match-up.  Sargent sent Howells home in their final game before they merge with Dodge, and denied them a shot at a 10th eight man football championship in the process.  This game may have set the standard of what top notch 8-Man football is all about.  Bone crunching blocking, tackling, and running all bundled on a football field that every young lad in Nebraska dreams of playing on.  Two heavyweights knocking each other down, but getting right back up for more, never giving in until the clock reads 0:00.  You had it all in the 2011 version of the 8-Man 2 State Championship game.
Sargent set the tone from the opening whistle, serving notice to the 9 time 8-Man champs that they could go head to head with physical play.  On Howells opening drive, the Bulldogs crashed in to hold the Bobcats to just 5 yards on three carries, forcing a punt from the 25.  The Bulldogs went to work from their own 34 and on their initial play from scrimmage, Howells all-state lineman Jordan Brichacek  blasted through and spilled all-state RB Jed Fenske for a 3 yard loss.  Unphased by the opening right hook to the jaw, the ‘Dogs put together 8 play, 46 yard drive that culminated with a Jed Fenske 14 yard TD burst through the heart of the Howells “D”.  Fenske then carried in for the 2 point conversion on the very same play and Sargent had lead 8-0.  After stopping Howells again, Sargent advanced the ball from their 29 to the Bobcat 10 yard line, threating to blow the game open early.  But a Tyke Kozeal was recovered by Jordan Brichacek at the Bobcat 6 yard line and Howells dodged an early bullet.  It was another 3 and done for the defending D-2 champs though and Sargent delivered another knock-out blow by taking the ball 38 yards in 4 plays for their second score of the opening quarter.  2000 yard rusher Jed Fenske, who averaged 16 yards a carry during the season, scored on the very same play that was successful for a touchdown just 6:33 seconds earlier.  Fenske broke through the middle for the 17 yard score, the Guy Fenske run for the point failed, and Sargent had a 14-0 lead with 1:05 left in the first.
Howells would answer back to start the 2nd stanza by moving from their 27 to the Sargent one yard line.  On a 3^rd and goal, Howells QB Mitch Belina muffed the snap and Sargent’s Tanner Balfour fell on the loose ball to kill the drive.   The Bobcats did hold the ‘Dogs on the next possession and fashioned a 10 play, 39 yard drive culminating with a Mitch Belina one yard TD plunge.  Belina’s 2 point try failed and the Bobcats
were back with 14-6.
Sargent reminded Howells that they meant business on the following drive by moving the ball from their own 39, picking away with short bursts and scoring on an 8 play drive.  Guy Fenske converted on a 3^rd and 15 play when he spotted Jed Fenske in the right flat.  Fenske then danced and juked his way 22 yards for a score with just 38 ticks left in the half.  Tyke Kozeal coaxed a kick through the temporary uprights and Sargent want to the break with a 21-6 lead and Howells was on their heels.
The two teams exchanged possessions to begin the second half, then Howells  inserted freshman Jesse Faltys at I-Back to replace the ailing Matt Gooch.  Howells coach Mike Speirs moved a gimpy, but still efficient Trent Masty to fullback and Faltys reeled off runs of 18, 7, and 19 yards, advancing the ball from the Howells 32 to the Sargent one yard stripe.  Mastny then busted over from the one two plays later and the ‘Cats trailed only 21-12.
The 4^th quarter was a chess match between two high caliber high school football coaches, trying to outguess each other and find able substitutes for injured stars.  Sargent’s top lineman, 285 pound Ryan Mosier was already out with what appeared to be a lower back problem or a tailbone bruise.   Gooch never did return for Howells and Mastny was battling the same calf that forced him to sit out two full games during the regular season.  Howells started at midfield to begin the money quarter and 5:29 seconds off the clock, pounding Sargent for 12 plays, ending with a Mastny 5 yard crunching TD blast.   The critical 2 point conversion by Jesse Faltys was stuffed and Sargent’s lead was down to 21-18 with 7:22 left in the D-2 Title Match.
Sargent tried to turn to Jed Fenske on the next drive but Howells would have nothing to do with it.  So the Bulldogs rode the running and passing of QB Guy Fenske, moving the ball from their own 25 to the Howells’ 15.  Guy Fenske twice completed passes on 3^rd and long situations, targeting Jed Fenske for 10 and Tyke Kozeal for 9.   Howells stuffed Tyke Kozeal on the 15 on a 4^th and 1 and was back in business.  Trent Mastny, sore calf and all provided the crushing tackle to stop the drive, giving Howells another shot to win the game.  The Bobcats Mitch Belina then swept the left end for 11.  Then on a 3^rd and 8, Belina found big 6-5, 230 Brian Bayers for a huge 31 yard gain to the Sargent 28.  Belina again swept left for 6 to the 21 and a first and 10……time remaining-1:41 in the game.   Coach Mike Speirs then decided to go to the Brian Bayers “well” one more time and why not.  Mitch Belina then lofted a pass in the end zone to Bayers, but it was just a whisker short and 5-7, 135 pound Kirby Pomplun jumped high in the air to intercept the throw.  Sargent tried to run out the clock, but a false start penalty on a 4^th and one at their 24 spoiled the plan.  Sargent was forced to punt and Brett Mauler delivered a 56 yard “Brett Maher” type punt that pinned Howells back on their own eight yard line.  The Bobcats had one more shot, but 155 pound junior Tyler Viers pirated a Belina toss at the Sargent 32, returned it to the Howells 39, and slid to the ground.  The Payback was secured.
Jed Fenske led the Bulldogs with 87 yards rushing and 3 scores, and in the process passed the 2000 yard mark,  finishing the season with 2,032 yards.  Guy Fenske was an efficient 8 of 12 passing for 105 yards and a TD.    The Sargent QB was also a terror on defense 17 tackles.  Jed Fenske led the ‘Dogs with  21 tackles.
Trent Mastny paced Howells with 68 yards, pushing his season total to 1,336.  Mitch Belina and Jordan Brichacek led the Bobcats on defense with 11 tackles each.
Sargent survived 3 lost fumbles in this victory, showing the ability to bounce back from adversity.  The Bulldogs end the season a perfect 13-0 and Howells quest to win its final game as the Howells Bobcats and along with it a D-2 title, was lost.