The Raider offense this year has been a combination of passing and running. Above, Connor Janda lets the ball go in the EPPJ game. The Raiders had 111 yards rushing and 106 yards passing. (Photo courtesy of the Elgin Review)
Rocky Miller is ready to run through the maze as the Playoff game is ready to start. (Photo courtesy of the Elgin Review)
The football guru's that control high school football in Nebraska have devised a system that makes schools do a "play-in" game to make the playoffs. Thirty-two Class D schools are divided into east and west divisions and play this play-in game with the hope that traveling is reduced for all schools. After that starting round of games, the 16 teams that won are reseeded into one state-wide bracket.
Well . . . the Lawrence-Nelson Raiders were one of only four schools where the lower seeded team defeated the higher seeded team. (L-N was seeded No. 11, EPPJ was seeded No. 6.) It turned out to be one of the more entertaining games of the season, if, perhaps, it was not the 'best played' game of the season.
The game was something of a defensive exhibition, really, for both teams. EPPJ averaged 49 points a game and L-N averaged 45 points a game for the first 8 games of the season. They started the playoffs scoring a total of 38 points between them.
Coach Blevins noted after the game: "This was one of the most gutsy performances I can remember. EPPJ was far bigger than us at nearly every position and our boys just kept fighting and fighting. We also lost Clay Williams at halftime, and were already down Bayln Bargen, so now down two of our top offensive players. Other athletes just kept stepping up and making plays. Just incredible to watch from afar. I have an overwhelming sense of pride in the boys."
To understand the game, a person has to understand the importance of turnovers . . . for there were plenty of them. (L-N 4 – EPPJ 4.) The game:
Quarter No. 1: L-N kicked off to start the game and on EPPJ's first play, they fumbled the ball over to L-N who had the ball on EPPJ's 14 yard line. Maybe it was the excitement, but L-N fumbled the ball right back to EPPJ on the first Raider offensive play of the game.
After three plays, EPPJ attempted to punt, but had it blocked by Connor Janda. With a short field, L-N moved the ball to the four yard line, but stalled there.
EPPJ punted after three plays, giving LN the ball about mid-field. From there, one of the more interesting plays occurred. The L-N quarterback fumbled the pass from the center, but recovered the ball and passed the ball backward to a receiver who fumbled the ball, but was able to recover it as well preserving possession of the ball. A short time later the Raiders punted giving EPPJ the ball on their own 18 yard line. On their second play, EPPJ broke a 49 yard run to score not too long before the end of the period. They tried the same play for the PAT, but the Raiders were not fooled a second time. End of period: 0-6.
Quarter No. 2: The second period continued much like the first: good plays and bad plays. However, there was a short period in the middle of the period the Raiders would like to shrine and keep for future use. EPPJ punted for their first possession of the period and Janda had a nice return allowing L-N to start a drive on their own 37 yard line. Five plays put L-N on the EPPJ 10 yard line and three plays later Janda connected with Clay Williams on a 16 yard pass and run. The PAT was a Janda to Nolan Ostdiek pass: 8-6.
Eight plays later EPPJ moved the ball from their own 15 to mid-field and attempted a pass which Clay Williams gathered in and raced 40 yards for another Raider TD. Another Janda to Ostdiek pass scored the PAT: 16-6.
Quarter No. 3: This period was scoreless, however, it may have been the most interesting of the game. EPPJ kicked to start and because of a penalty the Raiders started with the ball on the EPPJ 10 yard line. If you subscribe to the theory that "the opposing team can't score if they don't have the ball," then you would love this. L-N used a variety of running and passing to move the ball to the EPPJ two yard line, but could not score. EPPJ fumbled the ball back to L-N after three plays and moved the ball to the EPPJ 2 yard line again before time ran out in the period.
L-N had possession for 21 plays to only three for EPPJ.
Quarter No. 4: L-N started this period on the EPPJ three yard line and on the second play, a Janda to Ostdiek pass scored another Raider TD. Janda ran the PAT: 24-6
The ball changed hands before EPPJ completed 5 of 6 passes to score about mid-way in the period: 24-14.
The rest of the game was scoreless but a couple of defensive highlights were in this period. One play was a sack by Rocky Miller and Nolan Ostdiek had another sack. Roy Davidson had a tackle in there someplace, and then Clay Williams broke up an EPPJ pass play that would have gone for a TD if not for the effort.
The game could be summed up with another comment by coach Blevins: "The game reminded me of a quote we use a lot with the boys: 'It is really hard to beat a team who never gives up.'"
Offensive Stats: L-N Rushing 111 yds., Passing 106 yards; EPPJ Rushing 53 yds.; Passing 105 yds.
L-N Rushing: Janda: 83 yds. on 27 carries; Jack Williams: 26 yds. on 4 carries; Cody Funk: 2 yds. on 1 carry. Passing: Janda: 87 yds. on 13 of 19 passes; Cody Funk 19 yds. on one carry. Receptions: Nolan Ostdiek 60 yds. on 8 receptions; Clay Williams: 45 yds. on 4 receptions; Cody Funk 14 yds. on 1 reception.
Total offense: L-N 217 yds.; EPPJ 158 yds.
Defense: (A-assisted; U-unassisted) Aidan Zikmund 1A, 3 U and a fumble recovery; Clay Williams 1U, I interception and one pass tip; Roy Davidson 1A, 2U; Connor Janda 4A, 2U, and one blocked punt; Jack Williams 2A, 1U and one fumble recovery; Nolan Ostdiek 3A, 3U; Rocky Miller 4A, 4U and one sack; Caden Culbertson 1A, 2U.
The victory allows the Raiders to continue in the Playoff system. Of the final 16 teams, they are seeded as No. 13, they will play South Loup next Friday at Callaway, Nebraska at 5 p.m. South Loup is seeded No.4.
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