L-N football heads to playoffs Thursday

It was a rough ending for the regular season portion of the of the Lawrence-Nelson High School football team 2021 schedule. The Bruning-Davenport-Shickley Eagles sank their talons into the Raiders and never let loose. The Raiders were left with a 44-14 loss and 3-5 regular season record after Friday’s road loss.

Krayton Kucera launched 32 pass attempts and completed 20 for 129 yards.

Toby Kotinenk made eight receptions for 54 yards. Balyn Bargen reeled in five passes for 42 yards. Erik Wheeland snagged three passes for 36 yards. Tyson Kotinek nabbed three passes to cover 25 yards. Conner Janda picked up 25 yards with his one reception.

Kucera gained 35 yards with his eight carries. Kucera scored a touchdown and added a two-point conversion. Bargen covered 35 yards with his four carries. Bargen scored a touchdown. Devyn Zikmund gained 22 yards on two carries. Carter Griffis picked up four yards with his sole carry. Toby Kotinek was good for one yard with his one carry.

Kucera generated four solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles for the Raiders defensive effort. Wheeland jammed his way to two solo tackles and five assisted tackles. He also had an interception to his credit. Toby Kotinek posted two solo tackles and three assists for the Raiders. Nolan Ostdiek notched two solo tackles and added an assisted tackle. Wyatt Brockman accounted for a solo tackle and seven assists. Janda landed a solo tackle and 10 assisted tackles. Tyson Kotinek and D. Zikmund contributed a solo tackle and five assisted tackles each. Keaton Mazour notched two assisted tackles. Bargen finished with an assisted tackle.

Despite their 3-5 record, the Raiders qualified, though they are in an unenviable position, for the Class D-2 playoffs. They will travel to Dunning, today (Thursday), to take on the number one seed in the 16- team west bracket, the Sandhills-Thedford Knights. Kickoff is scheduled at 4 p.m. Should Lawrence-Nelson win, there will be a reseed after the first round of playoff games. The next round will be played Fri., Oct. 29.