The Nemaha Central Middle School Thunder football team traveled to Wathena to take on the Cyclones on Thursday, September 9. NC faced a tough Riverside team coming off a big win the week prior against Jeff West. The Thunder, coming off their own big win the previous week, were looking to improve their record to 2-0 on the season.
The Cyclones kicked off to the Thunder team and then NC started with the ball on their own 40. The Thunder had a short drive that resulted in a quick punt. The Cyclones didn’t have any luck either and they punted. NC gained possession of the ball and in a few short plays scored on a 40-yard touchdown run but was unable to convert for extra points. Riverside responded quickly with a 70-yard touchdown run of their own, but they were also unsuccessful on their Point After Touchdown attempt. The score at the end of the first quarter was 6-6.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Thunder scored a dazzling 40-yard run on a broken pass play. NC was successful on their PAT. NC held the Cyclones to get the ball back a short while later. After a few more plays, the Thunder boys punched another long run into the endzone. NC however was unable to complete the PAT. On the next series by the Cyclones on fourth down, the Cyclone quarterback dropped back and threw a missile into the awaiting hands of his wide receiver for the score. NC made a great stop on Riverside’s PAT attempt. With 40 seconds remaining in the first half the Thunder scored and was successful on their PAT. At the end of the half, the Thunder were leading 28-12
The Thunder kicked off to begin the second half. NC regained the ball back quickly, and on their second play they broke off an 80-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, the touchdown got called back for a holding penalty. After a few more plays, the Thunder team ran the ball for another long 80-yard touchdown, which was called back again! The Thunder couldn’t get much going after that and punted the ball. Riverside gained great field position and in a few short plays were knocking on the door of the end zone. That’s when the Thunder's defense stormed through the line and caused a fumble! Towards the end of the third quarter, NC ran the ball up the middle and scored on a 70-yard run. NC was unable to convert their PAT leaving the score at 34-12.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Thunder had a commanding lead. Riverside however drove down the field and scored with 5:58 remaining. The Thunder had a good drive going next but turned the ball over. The Cyclones drove the ball back down the field, but the Thunder defense stopped the attack on a fourth down! NC ended the game in victory formation, kneeling out the rest of the clock. The score ended 34-18 with a big Thunder win.
The NC Thunder team played a tough game and came out on top. The Thunder look to keep their record undefeated in the next few weeks of play as they match up against other Big 7 schools.
Jayden Seitz said, “It was a good battle between good teams. I’m glad that we came out with the dub.”
Kalem Schmelzle said, “The game was really fun, and Riverside was a good opponent.”
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