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WOLBACH — The Wynot Blue Devils are headed to Memorial Stadium with a state championship on the line.
Wynot upset another foe in its path to its second state title game in three years, defeating the Central Valley Cougars 45-28 in State D2 semifinal action Friday.
Wynot will battle O’Neill St. Mary’s on Monday Nov. 24.
The Blue Devils were led by Braylon Hans who caught three touchdown passes and Lane Heimes who rushed for three touchdowns. Kotner Koch had a touchdown and a kickoff return for two scores to power Wynot’s offense.
Central Valley was led by the powerful running of Luke Schoemaker who finished with 219 yards and three touchdowns.
Wynot got on the scoreboard first when they took advantage of a short punt by the Cougars that gave them the ball at their own 30 yard line. Three plays later Lane Heimes would cash in with the one yard plunge over the left side. The PAT was no good as the Blue Devils had the early 6-0 lead.
After Central Valley had a couple runs for first downs Wynot’s defense stiffened and forced a punt. Killian Steinhaus would break through and block it and Jed Nelson recovered it at the Cougars 25 yard line.
The Cougars defense held; but on a 4th down play Devin Brummer hooked up with Braylon Hans on a 13 yard touchdown strike. The PAT was stopped and the Wynot lead had grown to 12-0.
Central Valley would answer behind the hard running of Luke Schoemaker. The Cougars would score on an 18 yard run by Shoemaker. Central Valley added the PAT on a halfback pass and cut the Devils lead to 12-8.
In the final seconds of the opening quarter the Blue Devils would get another score when Brummer hit Braylon Hans down the left side line for a 55 yard scoring bomb. The PAT was stopped as the first quarter came to close with the Blue Devils leading 18-8.
The Cougars would open the second quarter with a long drive. They capitalized on a 26 yard scoring strike from Lincoln Nekoliczak to Zayer Wolf. The same two hooked up for the PAT as Central Valley had narrowed Wynot’s lead to 18-16.
Wynot’s offense went three and out on their next possession. Central Valley would mount another scoring drive with Luke Shoemaker doing most of work. The big running back would finish the drive on a 5 yard blast over the left side. The PAT run was no good but the Cougars had the 22-18 advantage.
Central Valley’s lead was a short one. On Wynot’s next offensive set Braylon Hans got behind the Cougar defense and Brummer hit him in stride as the speedy split end bolted 60 yards for another score. The PAT catch by Killian Steinhaus gave the lead back to Wynot at 26-22 as time expired at the half.
The Blue Devils would receive the second half kickoff and Kotner Koch found a seam down the right side for a 78 yard return to paydirt. Wynot continued to have trouble with PATs as the run was stopped but the Blue Devils had widened their lead to 32-22.
Central Valley continued to lean on their ground game. Luke Shoemaker broke a 35 yard gain. Shoemaker broke a couple of tackles as he bulled in the endzone on an 11 yard touchdown run. The PAT was stopped but the Cougars had cut their deficit to 32-28.
Wynot’s offense continued to answer the bell as they marched 52 yards in five plays. A couple of first down catches by Braylon Hans and a 10 yard scamper by Lane Heimes kept the drive alive. Heimes would cash in with a three yard blast up the middle. The PAT run was stopped but Wynot had pushed their lead to 38-28.
On Central Valley’s next possession the Blue Devil defense would cause a Shoemaker fumble and Jed Nelson would get his second recovery of the night.
Wynot’s defense controlled the final minutes of the game. A defensive stop on downs gave the Blue Devils the ball at the Cougars 11 yard line. Three plays later Lane Heimes got his third rushing touchdown from one yard out. Devin Brummer kicked the extra point making the score 45-28.
Interceptions by Kotner Koch and Braylon Hans thwarted Central Valley’s next two offensive possessions and the Blue Devils ran out the clock to earn the 45-28 win.
Wynot 18 8 12 7—45 CV 8 14 6 0—28 Wynot Central Valley passing 15-22-259 14-28-139 rushing 147 251 Total yds 416 390
RUSHING
Wynot - Lane Heimes, 26-84; Kotner Koch, 4-17; Devin Brummer, 4-13. Central Valley - Luke Shoemaker, 34-219; Lincoln Nikoliczak 31; Landon Shoemaker 21.
RECIEVING
Wynot - Braylon Hans, 9-159; Kotner Koch, 3-71; Killian Steinhaus, 2-14; Lane Heimes, 2-5. Central Valley - Luke Schoemaker, 3-31; Landon Schoemaker, 3-17; Zevan Wolf 3-21; Zavyer Wolf, 1-26.
TACKLEs
Lane Heimes, 16; Kilian Steinhaus, 14; Carter Hans, 14; Parker Schmidt 10; Jed Nelson, 10. Central Valley, Lincoln Nikoliczak, 10; Gunner Vanosdal, 8; Dallas Wordsworth, 8; Luke Schoemaker, 6.
INTERCEPTIONS
Wynot - Kotner Koch, 1; Braylon Hans, 1.
