The clock caught up with the Lawrence-Nelson Raiders as they attempted a fourth quarter comeback before falling 52-44 to Falls City Sacred Heart at Falls City, Friday.
The Raiders never gave up even when face with a 16 point deficit headed into the final 12 minutes of the game.
Falls City put 20 points on the score board in the first quarter before Krayton Kucera scampered four yards into the Irish end zone. The point after conversion was unsuccessful as the Raiders trailed 20-6. Lawrence-Nelson trailed 28-6 going into the second quarter. Kucera completed a seven yard touchdown pass to Erik Wheeland to narrow the gap to 28-12. Falls City added another score to take a 34-12 lead. But the Raiders refused to go away. They added another score when Toby Kotinek smashed across the goal line for a two yard run making the score 34-18. Neither team would score again in the first half.
Things looked dark when the Irish opened up a 40-18 lead at the 5:37 mark of the third quarter. The Raiders dug in and added a Bayln Bargen six yard touchdown run to edge closer to Falls City at 40-24.
The Kucera to Wheeland combination united for a 69 yard touchdown jaunt as the Raiders moved within eight points, 40-32 with 10.22 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Falls City wasted little time in opening he lead back to 46-38. The Raiders were unable to move the ball. Falls City added another six points to make it 52-38 with 2:36 remaining. The Raiders moved up the field and scored on a Kucera to Tyson Kotinek seven yard pass to pull within eight points, 52-44. Unfortunately for the Raiders time expired before they could mount another drive to tie the game. The importance of making after touchdown conversions was driven home by the four failed attempts.
Kucera carried the ball 15 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Toby Kotinek carried seven times for 52 yards. Bargen hauled the ball twice for 11 yards. Connor Janda picked up nine yards on his three carries. Devyn Zikmund was held to a negative six yards for his two carries.
Kucera lit up the airways for 308 yards. He completed 14 of his 24 pass attempts.
Bargen snagged two reception for 59 yards and a touchdown. Wheeland hauled in three passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Zikmund netted one reception for 17 yards. Janda had two receptions for 21 yards. Tyson Kotinek clamped onto three passes for 83 yards. Toby Kotinek nabbed two passes for eight yards and a touchdown.
The defense had their hands full against the aggressive Irish offense. Kucera recorded nine unassisted tackles as well as 12 assisted tackles. Tyson Kotinek posted seven solo tackles and had three assisted tackles. Wheeland registered five solo tackles and one assist. Roy Davidson landed three solo tackle and added nine assisted tackles. Devyn Zikmund nailed down three solo tackles. Keaton Mazour collected three solo tackles and had five assists. Bargen, Toby Kotinek and Clay Williams contributed two solo tackles and two assisted tackles apiece to the defensive cause. Nolan Ostdiek completed two solo tackles. Janda grabbed a solo tackle and added three assisted tackles. Wyatt Hajny added an assisted tackle.
The Raiders travel to Arapahoe, Friday, for a game with the unbeaten, 2-0, D-1 Warriors. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
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