The Nemaha Central Middle School Thunder football team battled with the Holton Wildcats on Thursday, October 3. The Thunder played a tough team, but brought their game to their home field looking to be 4-1 on the season.
The first quarter of the game started with the Thunder kicking off to the Wildcats. The Thunder played amazing defense forcing the Wildcats to turn the ball over. NC pushed the ball down the field and Reid McKee ran it to the outside for a Thunder touchdown and then again for the two-point conversion. The NC defense once again stopped the Wildcats from scoring and forcing another turnover. NC took advantage of the turnover and was able to score again before the end of the quarter. The Thunder team was leading at the end of the first quarter 14-0.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats offense played extremely well scoring on the Thunder team. The Thunder’s defense stopped the two-point conversion, making the score 14-6 with the Thunder still leading. NC returned the ball for some good yardage on the kick return. The Wildcats shut down the Thunder’s offense leaving the score 14-6 with the Thunder on top at the half.
NC started off the second half with Holden Bass, the Thunder’s offensive lineman, receiving the ball and getting tackled on Holton’s 45 yard line. Holton players pushed to get to the Thunder’s runners but struggled to keep them from gaining several yards. McKee ran to the outside right for another Thunder touchdown, making the score 22-6 with the 2-point conversion. The Wildcats received the ball and ran all the way down field, but had to go back because of a flag call. Holton managed to run the ball up the middle for a first down. The Thunder defense, waking up from the half, shut the offense down forcing Holton to punt. NC returned the ball for a gain, ending the third quarter.
Kicking off the fourth quarter with the score 22-6, the Thunder team was feeling good about how the game was going so far. The defense was determined to not give up plays that could allow Holton to score. The Thunder team ran the ball up the left side for good chunks of yardage. Holton pushed hard against the Thunder team making some good tackles. NC kept forcing yards and finally broke through the defense for a Thunder touchdown. Holton wasn’t going to give up yet. The Wildcats still gained yards and broke tackles, but the Thunder wasn’t going to allow them to get a first down or score. The Holton Wildcats put up a good fight, ending the game 28-6 with a Thunder victory.
“We played well, but there’s still room for improvement,” said Will Nolte.
Abe Hilbert said, “It felt good bouncing back for a win after last week.”
Click on the link below for more pictures of the Holton football game.