For the first time in over three years NCHS is ranked in the Wyopreps Top 5, after defeating previous #5 Wind River last week. Riding a two game winning streak and some modest fame, the Tigers may have been a bit full of themselves early on last Friday night against Southeast. The Cyclones got the ball first and proceeded to march 63 yards on six runs from big freshman Cord Herring. The PAT was wide right but two minutes in the home team was smacked hard.

Tailback Drake Lamp was back after missing two games and the energy he provided was a lift, but also an issue as he and quarterback Wyatt Stauffer bobbled three handoffs in the game. The first came as the Tigers were driving into Cyclone territory. SE took over but was unable to take advantage as the first period ended 6-0 for the visitors.

Getting a short field to work with, Lamp just missed the endzone but Stauffer tied the game with his one yard plunge at the 10:18 mark. Lamp got the two point conversion and NCHS led 8-6. The defense appeared to have righted the ship in shutting down the SE offense and took over midway through the quarter. The Cyclone defense responded by stopping Lusk inside the 20, but again NCHS forced a punt from SE. Moving the ball behind a 57 yard run from Lamp, the second of the fumbles came moments later as Lusk held on to an 8-6 halftime lead.

The third turnover also came with no damage to the Tigers midway through the third. The Cyclones could not do anything with it as Herring had already exited the game with an injury. On the ensuing punt James Stone dodged and weaved his way for a 60 yard trip to the endzone. The conversion pass was no good but the lead had been extended to 14-6 after three quarters.

While SE tried to comeback, Lamp and Damien Molzahn chewed up time and yards, as both ended up with over 100 yards rushing in the game. Molzahn had his first century game with 116, while Lamp ran for 238. Lamp’s night is tied for the 13th highest single-game total for Tiger rushers, and a new career high for the soph. He helped seal the win with a one yard run before the conversion was denied in the 20-6 NCHS win. The Tigers move to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

“After that first turnover they didn’t really stop us,” said Head Coach Ryan Nelson. “We shot ourselves in the foot too much-either turnovers or penalties putting us in bad position, and getting stuffed on fourth down twice inside the 20 yard line. Against anybody you can’t give up five possessions.”

SCORE BY QUARTERS

SEHS 6 0 0 0  6

NCHS 0 8 6 6  20

TEAM STATS

SEHS: Passing- 2/11, 70 yds. Rushing- 38 atts/138 yds. 5 First downs. 1 fumble/0 lost. 4 penalties/40 yds

NCHS: Passing 1/3, 25 yds. Rushing- 55/362. 16 First downs. 3 fumbles/3 lost. 5 penalties/50 yds.

NCHS PLAYER STATS: Passing- Stauffer 1 comp/3 atts, 25 yds. Rushing- Lamp 30 atts/238 yds, TD; Da Molzahn 18/116; Stone 2/6; Stauffer 5/2, TD. Receiving- Tschacher 1 catch/25 yds. Defensive points- Da Molzahn 19, Dylan Molzahn 19, Ryan Bruegger 13, Stone 12, Jacob Miller 10, Jasper Caldera 9, Aric Eaton 6, Tanner Carpenter 5, Drake Lamp 4, Dmitri Richards 3, Stauffer 2, Tschacher 2, Riley Blackburn 1.

This week NCHS visits 2A Newcastle for a non-conference game, but the renewal of an old rivalry. The Tigers and Dogies have an interesting history despite just 80 miles separating them. From 1924-42 they played nine times, but between ’52 and ’78 there were 24 games. In their most recent matchup, Lusk closed the gap in the series to 15-18-1 in a 2013 win in Newcastle.

While Newcastle is off to a rough 1-3 start, Nelson knows that NCHS must be ready for a physical 48 minutes. “We need a good week of practice as they like that single wing with lots of misdirection and we’ve got to stay in our lanes, and tackle much better,” added Nelson. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Dogie Field.