LUSK – The Niobrara County High School football team fell to 0-3 last Friday night against the Greybull Buffaloes. In last week’s Wyopreps coaches and media poll, Greybull was ranked fourth and will likely move up with Big Piney and Saratoga both losing.
The Tigers, on the other hand have struggled to find an identity so far. Injuries have taken an early toll with Lusk falling to the three best teams in the other conference.
“That’s a solid team, the scheme they run with size and ability, and the depth,” Skeen said. “When you line up and the other side has 20 kids on the sideline, it’s tough when we have sometimes four freshmen on the field defensively.”
The visitors ran early and often, and after two quick scoring drives held a 16-0 lead. NCHS moved into scoring position as the quarter ended and 30 second into the second Nathan Miller connected with Cody Himes for a 14 yard touchdown. The conversion was no good but the Tigers were on the scoreboard. Lusk’s defense held Greybull out of the endzone before the break, but offensively couldn’t generate their own scoring drive. At the midpoint it was 16-6.
NCHS came out of the locker room a bit flat and the Buffs made them pay with several long runs and two scoring drives. The Tiger offense got moving a bit in the passing game and Miller hooked up with Raynce Brott for a 43 yard touchdown. The conversion was denied but Lusk was down 32-12 with one quarter to go.
The visitors only completed one pass in the game but it was a 25 yard scoring play that almost broke the Tigers. NCHS marched down the field and Miller scrambled in from the three yard line- yet again the conversion came up short.
The offensive fireworks continued as Greybull scored on a 50 yard run-yet Lusk responded 20 seconds after that. Miller heaved a pass deep that Isaac Assman held onto and raced 60 yards to paydirt. The PAT snap was bobbled and again Lusk was down 20. The visitors sealed the deal with another long scoring run and left Gibson Field at Fullmer Stadium with the 50-24 win.
“I thought we executed well and did some nice things offensively at times,” added Skeen. “But we’re learning and trying to find our way without Brady, and I must add that our guys didn’t quit and fought to the end.”
As the Tigers enter conference play, Yoder isn’t usually the place to heal some wounds. Yet the Cyclones are off to a slow start as well. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Teeters Field.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
GREYBULL 16-0-16-18--50
NCHS 0-6-6-12--24
TEAM STATS
GREYBULL Passing- 1/7, 25 yds;
Rushing- 66 atts/639 yds. 25 first downs. 3 fumbles/2 lost. 9 penalties/75 yds.
NCHS Passing- 16/33, 336 yds; Rushing- 21/128. 15 first downs. 2 fumbles/ 1 lost. 9 penalties/60 yds.
NCHS PLAYER STATS: Passing- Miller 16 comp/33 atts, 336 yds, 3TD. Rushing- Miller 14 atts/114 yds, TD; Grant Ashurst 5/15; Assman 2/1. Receiving- R. Brott 7 catches/162 yds, TD; Himes 4/64 TD; Assman 1/60, TD; Kayden Goodwin 3/47; Ashurst 1/ 3. Defensive points- Himes 30; R. Brott 25; D. Swisher 21; Ashurst 20; Miller 13; D. Brott 12; Goodwin 6; Bouissey 3; Assman 2; Cassiano 2; Hostetler 2; Heth 2; Maez 1.
