PINE BLUFFS –  It wasn’t a steady downpour of rain last Friday night at Carlstrum Field, as was the scene two years ago. But the hosts used a steady attack on a beautiful Wyoming fall night to defeat Niobrara County High School (NCHS).

The Hornets scored on the first drive of the game on a 25-yard pass and the point after was successful. Minutes later, after the Tiger offense stalled, the hosts marched down to the eight-yard line. As they had done many times already this year, the Lusk defense held strong in the red zone on a fourth down. 

With the first period expiring, Quintin Bieri collected his first career interception.

As the clock reset for the second quarter, NCHS was unable to take advantage of the short field and Pine Bluffs retook possession. It didn’t last long as Jackson Smith intercepted the Hornet pass falling backwards into the endzone. Again, the offense had trouble maintaining a drive and the home team quickly made it 14-0.

The Tigers found some room to move the ball and Ridge Kupke plowed six yards into the end zone for the touchdown. Smith kicked the point-after and Lusk was within 14-7 with three minutes left. 

Pine Bluffs answered with a field goal and 45-yard touchdown play in pushing the lead to 24-7 midway through.

During halftime, the coaching staff noticed Smith was not right and sophomore Brady Swisher would start the second half. Lusk was forced to punt and Swisher got off a good one that Nathan Miller tracked down and tipped out of bounds inside the one-yard line. On the ensuing play, Raynce Brott smothered the ballcarrier for a safety.

The Hornets upped their lead to 30-9 at the 7:17 mark, but just 15 seconds later Swisher found Brott for a 52-yard score. The two-point run was no good but Lusk had cut the lead to 30-15. Pine Bluffs returned the favor on a 58-yard touchdown pass and tacked on two more scores during the fourth period in the 51-15 final score.

The middle school Tigers defeated the Doggers 46-14 Monday night to capture the SEWAC title for the first time in several years. Congratulations to the players and coaches Haefele, Heth and Molzahn.

This week, NCHS steps out of conference play as Natrona County High School (the other NCHS) will bring a squad of sophomores to Gibson Field at Fullmer Stadium. Twenty minutes before the 6 p.m. kickoff the seniors will be honored before their final home game. 

Score by quarters

NCHS 0-7-8-0—15

PBHS 7-17-13-14—51

Team stats

NCHS: Passing – 10 comp/17 atts, 102 yds. Rushing – 33/-13. Receiving – 10 catches/102 yds. First Downs – 5. 4 Penalties/33 yds.

PBHS: Passing – 14/28, 342, 2 INT. Rushing – 29/161. Receiving – 14/342. First Downs – 13. 3 Penalties/30 yds.

NCHS player stats

• Passing – Swisher 4/6, 63 yds; Smith 6/11, 39 yds. 

• Rushing – Kupke 18/30, TD; Smith 3/18; Miller 1/-4; Swisher 11/-57. 

• Receiving – R. Brott 2/61, TD; Miller 5/26; Cody Himes 2/16; Kupke 1/-1. 

• Defensive points – R. Brott 23; Miller 12; Kupke 11; Bieri 11; Smith 10; Himes 6; Youngquist 4; Swisher 2; Goodwin 2; Cassiano 2; D. Brott 1; R. Taylor 1; Kadyn 1; Leimser 1.