The Nemaha Central Middle School football team traveled to Riley County on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Due to the league merger, this is the first time the teams have faced off against each other at the middle school level.
In the first quarter, NC had the ball first and returned the kick to the thirty-yard line. A few minutes into the drive Hudson Kuckelman rolled out of the pocket and threw it to Brentlee Pfanenstiel, who ran it in for a touchdown to make the score 6-0. NC tried to go for the two-point conversion but couldn't quite convert it. After the touchdown, NC kicked the ball and Riley County returned it for about five yards. The Falcons had several good runs and eventually found the endzone. They went for the two-point conversion and converted it making the score 6-8. Neither team was able to score for the rest of the quarter.
Pfanenstiel said, “I felt adrenaline and was happy,’’ when he scored the touchdown.
Both teams battled back and forth in the second quarter. NC started the quarter with the ball on the thirty-five-yard line. They had some good runs and soon found themselves at the fifty-yard line. They tried to move the ball further up the field but couldn't. The rest of the quarter was a defensive battle, and Riley County kept the lead at halftime 6-8.
Riley County had the ball to start the third quarter. They tried to move the ball downfield, but the Thunder defense stepped up and made some great tackles. It was four and out for both teams for the rest of the quarter. The score remained 6-8 in favor of the Falcons.
In the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, the ball changed hands several times. With three minutes left on the clock, Kuckelman threw an amazing pass to Elvis PopCucul for a 75-yard gain. A few plays later, NC found themselves at the one-yard line. They tried to find the end zone but were stopped just short of scoring, ending the game. Riley County dashed the hopes of a Thunder win and the game ended 6-8.
Aidan Henry said, “I liked how we made big plays and handled the ball.’’
The Thunder were so close to getting their first win, but they were not hanging their heads. The football season is drawing to an end and they are working hard to improve this season.
Article By: Hudson Kuckelman