We really focused this week on family – our team. And each day at practice it got better, working on the little things and knowing that we’ve got to make something happen if we want to be in the playoff conversation.”

Up Next

The Tiger football team boards the bus to play Pine Bluffs on Friday, October 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

LUSK – The 50th meeting between Niobrara County High School (NCHS) and Southeast High School (SEHS) on the football field proved to be another great game. The visitors came into Gibson Field at Fullmer Stadium riding a three-game winning streak while the Tigers faced a three-game skid in conference play.

Lusk took the opening drive 71 yards on nine plays as Ridge Kupke plunged in from one yard for the early lead. Jackson Smith kicked the point after and the Tigers led, 7-0, on a four-and-a-half-minute drive.

Raynce Brott covered up a loose ball near midfield, yet the NCHS offense couldn’t capitalize and as the quarter wound down, the Cyclones evened the score. Ayden Desmond eluded several Tiger defenders in going 43 yards to the endzone. Beaux Shimic’s kick knotted the game after one period.

The second quarter moved quickly with both squads trying to make something happen, but neither defense budging. Southeast moved deep into Tiger territory but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Shimic. On the ensuing kickoff Nathan Miller caught the ball on the 24-yard line, saw a seam and raced right up the visitors’ sideline for the touchdown. Smith’s kick sent NCHS into halftime with a 14-10 lead.

Early in the third quarter, Lusk had a fourth down stop after the Cyclones marched inside the 30 but the Tigers coughed it right back to the visitors. On a short field, Desmond’s pass to T.J. Moats was barely hauled in, yet Shimic’s kick returned the lead to SEHS at 17-14.

The Tigers used another steady drive and Kupke capitalized with a one-yard score with just 1.4 seconds left in the quarter. Smith’s kick flipped the lead back in Lusk’s favor, 21-17.

Southeast scored on a one-yard dive from Moats and with Shimic’s kick, returned the advantage to the visitors. Just over eight minutes remained and NCHS had one final drive as Smith called his own number three straight plays and gained 39 yards. Kupke finished off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run, yet the kick attempt was no good.

The Tiger defense was strong all night and shut down the Cyclones one last time before the offense was able to burn away the final three minutes. Lusk improved to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in conference games with the 27-24 victory. The Tigers are now 28-22 against the Cyclones all time.

“We really focused this week on family – our team,” coach Chris Skeen said. “And each day at practice it got better, working on the little things and knowing that we’ve got to make something happen if we want to be in the playoff conversation.”

The schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Tigers travel to Pine Bluffs this week. The Hornets are 4-0 after having their way with the Cheyenne South JV last week. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. at Carlstrom Field.

The junior varsity lost a six-man game at Crawford, Nebraska on Monday night by the 50-37 score.

Score by quarters

SEHS 7-3-7-7—24

NCHS 7-7-7-6—27

Team stats

SEHS: Passing – 7 comp/16 atts, 119 yds. Rushing – 31 atts/202 yds. Receiving – 7 catches/119 yds. First Downs – 14. 1 fumble/1 lost. 3 penalties/35 yds.

NCHS: Passing – 9/12, 90 yds. Rushing – 39 atts/159 yds. Receiving – 9 catches/90 yds. First Downs – 11. 1 fumble/1 lost. 2 penalties/15 yds.

NCHS player stats

Passing – Smith 9/12, 90 yds. 

Rushing – Smith 14/59; Kupke 19/56, 3TD; Miller 3/30; Brady Swisher 3/14. 

Receiving – Miller 4/66; Swisher 2/17; Kupke 1/5; Cody Himes 1/5; Raynce. Brott 1/-3. 

Defensive points – R. Brott 21; Miller 14; Ryan Youngquist 11; Swisher 10; Kupke 6; Smith 6; Kadyn 5; Himes 4; Quintin Bieri 4; Dryce Brott 2; Ryan Taylor 2; Hudson Leimser 2; Lane Taylor 1.