That’s a very good, balanced team and it showed tonight. There’s a reason they’re ranked number one. But we came out a bit flat and didn’t match their intensity from the start.”

Coach Chris Skeen

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The NCHS Tigers are on the road to play Saratoga on Friday, September 20 at 6 p.m.

LUSK –  It was billed as the game of the week for the small schools, but the hype lasted longer than the balanced scoreboard. The WyoPreps top-ranked Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Doggers came to Gibson Field at Fullmer Stadium Friday night and ruined the Tigers home debut in new red uniforms.

The visitors struck late in the first period, while Niobrara County High School (NCHS) struggled to find offensive consistency. As the quarter came to a close the score was just 7-0, but the Doggers doubled that just 14 seconds into the second.

The Tigers coughed the ball up on each of their next two possessions and paid dearly on the second one – a fumble on the three-yard line. LFL took advantage and with eight minutes still left before the break they moved the lead to 21-0.

After a defensive stop, NCHS moved deep into Dogger territory but came away empty. Brady Cook connected with Ned Nelson and 76 yards later, and another point-after kick, LFL had a 28-0 lead into halftime.

NCHS got on the scoreboard early in the third quarter as Jackson Smith found Nathan Miller and Miller weaved his way 54 yards to the endzone. The conversion attempt was no good, but the Tigers had new life. It only lasted about eight seconds as Kaiden Riggs returned the kickoff 99 yards. The two-point run was good and LFL had opened up a 36-6 advantage.

On the ensuing drive, Smith heaved a pass deep and after being tipped, Raynce Brott was in the right place at the right time to grab the ball and go 78 yards for the touchdown. Smith kicked the point after.

With a few regulars out, the depleted Lusk squad simply couldn’t keep up with the top ranked visitors in the 61-13 rout.

“That’s a very good, balanced team and it showed tonight,” coach Chris Skeen said. “There’s a reason they’re ranked number one. But we came out a bit flat and didn’t match their intensity from the start.”

NCHS has little time to feel sorry for themselves with a trip to Saratoga on Friday. The Panthers defeated Wind River 50-8 last week and have a solid group of  players. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Score by quarters

LFLHS 7-21-27-6--61

NCHS 0-0-13-0--13

Team stats

LFL: Passing – 9 comp/13 atts, 184 yds; Rushing 33 atts/280 yds; Receiving – 9 catches/184 yds; First Downs – 11.

NCHS: Passing – 11 comp/25 atts, 269 yds; Rushing – 24 atts/ -17 yds; Receiving – 11 catches/269 yds; First Downs – 7.

NCHS player stats 

Passing – Smith 11/25, 269 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT. Rushing – Ridge Kupke 12/11; Miller 3/5; Smith 9/-33. Receiving – Miller 3/104, TD; Cody Himes 3/64; Brady Swisher 3/20; Brott 1/78; TD – Kupke 1/3. Defensive points – Brott 18; Himes 15; Swisher 11; Kupke 9; Quintin Bieri 6; Smith 5; Miller 4; Kayden Goodwin 3; Colton Brackelsburg 3; Lane Taylor 1; Ryan Taylor 1; Cian Kimes 1.