Area Football Roundup

WarCats Lose Opener to Bayard

The Leyton/ Banner County WarCats opened their 2019 campaign with a 42-to-26 loss to the Bayard Tigers at Banner County High School Friday night. As with other games in the region, weather was a factor causing an hour delay in a game that the WarCats kept close through the first half. The WarCats were able to keep close to the Tigers in the first quarter, then solid defense and turnovers had the WarCats within two at the half, 28-to-26. But the Tigers were able to shut out the WarCats in the second half while adding two more touchdowns to seal the win. The WarCats defense was able to generate three interceptions and three fumbles in the loss. The WarCats travel to Morrill on Friday to take on the Lions.

Potter-Dix Shuts Out Hay Springs

The trip was worth it for the Coyotes as they dominated the Hawks 40-to-0. Potter-Dix junior Donnie Moench rushed for two touchdowns and caught another to lead the Coyote’s offense, while the defense recovered three fumbles and kept the pressure on throughout the game. The Coyotes opened fast with 26 points in the first quarter, then rounded out the scoring with 14 more points in the second quarter against the overmatched Hawks. Freshman quarterback Luke Kasten was 4-for-7 for 92 yards, with a 51 yard touchdown throw to Donnie Moench.

Strong Finish Powers Storm Win

On Friday, Creek Valley’s Storm opened their 2019 season at home with a 58-to-40 win over a Eustis-Farnam Knights team that made it to the semi-finals last season. The Storm started strong, holding a 22-to-13 lead over the visitors after the first quarter, but the Knights traded scores with the Storm to go into the half trailing 44-to-33. But a defensive struggle in the third quarter had only seven points being scored by the Knights, and the visitors closed to 44-to-40. The Storm regrouped in the fourth quarter, and their defense stiffened and shut out the Knights, while the offense scored two more touchdowns to seal the win. Senior Patrick Hansen tossed five touchdowns, while sophomore Lucas Trujillo rushed for 109 yard and three touchdowns. Junior Oakley Hodges had four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, and converted five of eight extra point kicks. Junior Tucker Graeff led the defense with 19 total tackles. The Storm are on the road against the Hay Springs Hawks on Friday.