Yes, it was hot out there – lots of cramping going on. But they had their issues too, so I like the way we fought through some adversity and got a good road win over a good team.”

Coach Chris Skeen

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The NCHS Tigers host the Lingle-Fort Laramie Doggers on Friday, September 13 at 6 p.m.

COWLEY – Three-hundred-forty miles in a bus would leave anyone sluggish, so the Niobrara County High School (NCHS) football team took a different plan for this season-opening road trip. 

With a 1 p.m. kickoff, the Tigers cut four hours off the trip by traveling to Thermopolis Thursday night. The short jaunt through the Big Horn Basin Friday morning proved beneficial against the big Rocky Mountain squad in the 85 degree heat.

“Yes, it was hot out there – lots of cramping going on,” coach Chris Skeen said. “But they had their issues too, so I like the way we fought through some adversity and got a good road win over a good team.”

After the Tigers first possession ended with a punt, the home team found paydirt on a tipped pass that Will Watts took in for a 30-yard score. The conversion was no good but Rocky Mountain had a 6-0 lead. 

Ridge Kupke broke loose for a long touchdown run, but it was denied on a penalty.

Lusk responded a few minutes later as Jackson Smith found Brady Swisher in the back of the endzone. Swisher went up to get it for the 42-yard touchdown and Kupke scored the conversion for an 8-6 lead. The Grizz answered as Triffen Jolley had a 19-yard touchdown run, but a bad exchange left the lead at 12-8 after one period.

The defense settled into a strong performance (forcing five turnovers), yet the offense had trouble putting consistent drives together. As halftime approached, Smith stepped in front of a Rocky Mountain pass and went 40 yards for the pick-six. The kick attempt was wide right but NCHS went into halftime with a slim 14-12 lead.

As the second half progressed the Tigers began having cramping issues, while the hosts in dark brown uniforms were struggling to get a second wind.

It took six minutes for NCHS to extend their lead as Smith connected with Nathan Miller for a 15-yard touchdown. Isaac Assman scored the conversion run and the lead was ten points. 

Over the final quarter and a few minutes, twice the Tiger defense made crucial fourth down stops backed up inside the 40-yard line. Despite a few miscues down the stretch, Lusk came away with a 22-12 victory and much happier ride home.

“It was a complete team effort, we saw some good things and some things we need to work on,” Skeen added. “With Lingle coming to town, we’ve got to be prepared and ready for a battle.”

Friday night the Tigers host the Doggers to Gibson Field at Fullmer Stadium with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

Score by quarters

NCHS 8-6-8-0 ¬– 22

RMHS 12-0-0-0 – 12

NCHS team stats 

Passing- 7 comp/18 atts, 107 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 

Rushing- 34 atts/128 yds; Receiving- 7 catches/107 yds, 2 TDs; 

First downs- 9; 8 Penalties/60 yds; 2 TO.

NCHS player stats 

Passing- Smith 7/18, 107 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT. 

Rushing- Kupke 18/108; Miller 1/25; Swisher 7/16; Ryan Youngquist 1/3; Assman 1/1; Smith 6/-25. 

Receiving- Swisher 3/70, TD; Miller 4/37, TD. 

Defensive points- Smith 22, Raynce Brott 21, Cody Himes 16, Miller 15, Assman 7, Dryce Brott 5, Kupke 5, Youngquist 5, Swisher 3, Quintin Bieri 3.