Wynot advances to playoff semifinals

The Wynot Blue Devils had to take the long trek to southwest Nebraska to take on Hitchcock County in their quarterfinal game of the state playoffs on Friday afternoon.

It took the Blue Devils a while to find their groove in this game as they trailed 12-8 at halftime.

Wynot showed up in the second half as they shutdown the Falcons offense; holding them scoreless the rest of the game. Meanwhile the Blue Devils offense got rolling as they went on to earn the 43-12 win.

“We started out sluggish in the first half and had a couple of penalties cancel some long scores,” commented Wynot coach Steve Heimes.

Hitchcock County would get on the scoreboard first on a 32 yard touchdown pass from Jack Baker to Adam Kisker. The PAT kick was no good. Neither team was able to get anything going for the rest of the opening quarter and the Falcons held the early lead, At the mid point of the second quarter the Falcon’s Jack Baker connected with Jayce Hauwell for a 45 yard gain. Two plays later Grady Erickson plunged in from the one yard line for the Falcons second touchdown. The PAT run was stopped as Hitchcock County’s lead stood at 12-0.

In the final minutes of the half Wynot offense got something going. A couple of runs by Lane Heimes for first downs and a 26 yard catch by Nixen Heimes moved the ball quickly down field. A 10 yard touchdown catch by Kotner

Kock capped the drive. Braylon Hans made a tough PAT catch as Wynot had narrowed the Falcon lead to 12-8 at halftime.

Wynot’s defensive unit would shut down the Falcon offense the entire second half. Meanwhile the Blue Devils offense started to click.

Wynot opened the third quarter with a 58 yard touchdown run by Lane Heimes. Devin Brummer hit Killian Steinhaus for the PAT as Wynot took the 16-12 lead.

Wynot defense held and their offense went on another scoring run. A couple of first down runs by Lane Heimes and a scramble by Devin Brummer moved the ball down field. Brummer would find Kotner Koch for the 10 yard scoring toss. The PAT run was stopped but Wynot’s lead grew to 22-16.

With the Falcon offense pinned deep Kotner Koch would pick off a pass and return it to the 1 yard line. Lane Heimes went to the wildcat set and dove in for the 1 yard touchdown. Devin Brummer kicked the extra point as Wynot lead had grown to 29-12.

Early in the fourth quarter Lane Heimes would break down the right side for a 58 yard touchdown gallop, his third score of night. Killian Steinhaus would run a halfback pass play to Kotner Koch for the 2 point conversion as Wynot lead had grown to 37-12.

Wynot put up one more score when Devin Brummer hit Kotner Koch for his third touchdown catch of the night. This one a 20 yarder making the score 43-12.

Reserves finished the game as Wynot advances to play Central Valley with a trip to Memorial Stadium on the line.

Hitchcock County 6 6 0 0 — 12 Wynot ` 0 8 21 14— 43 Wynot Hitchcock County rushing 26-219 24-82 passing 17-23-156 7-11-125 total yds 456 207

RUSHING

Wynot - Lane Heimes, 16-83; Devin Brummer, 8-19; Wyatt Nelson, 2-17. Hitchcock County - Grady Erikson, 17-64; Jack Baker, 8-19; Jarrett Neban, 4-7.

RECEIVING

Wynot - Kotner Koch, 11-93; Braylon Hans, 3-11; Nixen Neimes, 1-26; Cash Lenzen, 1-13. Hitchcock County - Adam Kisker, 3-60; Jayce Hauxwell, 3-68.

TACKLES

Wynot - Killian Steinhaus, 12; Landen Heimes, 12; Jed Nelson, 10; Kotner Koch, 8; Parker Schmidt, 7. Hitchcock County - Karson Shuler, 9; Jayce Hauxwell, 6; Grady Erikson, 5; Adam Kisker, 5.