Blue Devils claim thrilling semifinal win

WYNOT — A last-minute touchdown Friday propelled the Wynot Blue Devils into the state championship game.

Wynot’s late heroics were enough to defeat the Howells Dodge Jaguars 22-14 and give the Blue Devils their first-ever berth in the State title game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

The Blue Devil defense dominated the first three quarters only to see the Jaguars rally late with a pair of touchdowns to tie the game.

Wynot would not be denied as they then marched 65 yards in the final minute of play to steal the big win.

“This was a great team effort and we had everyone step up and make plays” said Wynot head coach Steve Heimes.

Wynot was led on offense by Dylan Heine who threw for 158 yards and had a passing and a rushing touchdown. Carson Wieseler lead the receivers with 6 catches for 88 yards and Joseph Sudbeck had a long touchdown catch.

Howells Dodge’s offense got a big game from Hunter Luther who had 43 carries for 192 yards.

Wynot’s defense got 10 tackles each from Zack Foxhoven and Andrew Haberman and an interception by Dylan Heine along with a fumble recovery by Kasen Koch to lead that unit.

Howells Dodge’s defense unit was paced by Land Belina and Dylan Brichachek with 6 tackles each.

Howells Dodge would put together a couple of clock eating drives on the ground in the first quarter but the Blue Devil defense stiffened when they got into the red zone and turned the Jaguars away.

At the 1:38 mark of the opening quarter Joseph Sudbeck got behind the Jaguar secondary and Dylan Heine hit him in stride for a 46 yard scoring bomb. Carson Wieseler caught the PAT and Wynot lead 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.

A stout defensive effort by both teams resulted in a scoreless second quarter.

Wynot’s offense went three-and-out to open the third quarter but a monster punt by Heine pinned the Jaguars at their oneyard line. Wynot’s defense held when Chase Schroeder blocked the punt and Kasen Koch recovered it at the three-yard line. Carson Wieseler powered in two plays later out of a Wildcat set for the three-yard touchdown. The PAT pass was batted down as Wynot increased their lead to 14-0.

There was no further scoring the rest of the quarter by either team as the defensive units were giving up ground stubbornly.

Howell Dodge put together a long drive to open the fourth quarter. A Dylan Heine interception in the endzone ended the threat, though.

Wynot would give the ball right back on a bad snap and the Jaguars tackled Heine in the endzone for a safety.

Howells Dodge was on the board, but trailed 14-2.

After the ensuing kick, the Jaguars put together a 41-yard, 12-play drive finishing it off with a Hunter Luther one-yard touchdown plunge. The PAT run was no good and the Jaguars had closed the gap to one score 14-8.

The Jaguars tried an onside kick but Dylan Heine recovered it at the 40 for Wynot.

The Devils ran some clock but went for it on a fourth-and-three and came up just short.

With 2:29 left in the game, the Jaguars would mount a scoring drive. The Blue Devils would help their drive with a holding penalty for one first down and a key facemask call on fourth down that would keep the Jaguars drive alive. Colton Klosen would out-battle a couple of Blue Devil defenders in the right corner of the endzone from 12 yards away for the Jaguars second touchdown of the game. The PAT run was stopped and the game was tied 14-14. With just 45 seconds left, it seemed like this one was headed to overtime.

Unfortunately, for Howells Dodge they had left too much time on the clock.

Wynot was able to put together a winning drive, going 65 yards in five plays. First down catches by Zack Foxhoven and Carson Wieseler moved the ball down field. An interference call on the Jaguar defender pushed the ball to midfield. Dylan Heine hooked up with Carson Wieseler for a 34-yard reception to the six yard-line. Heine ran a QB draw for the goahead score. Carson Wieseler caught the PAT and Wynot had regained the 22-14 lead with 11 seconds left. Time ran out on the Jaguars as Wynot earned the State title berth.

Howells Dodge 0 0 0 14 — 14 Wynot 8 0 6 8 — 22 Wynot Howells-Dodge rushing 15-49 61-267 passing 12-25-158 7-19-77 Total yds 307 344

PASSING

Wynot - Dylan Heine, 12-25-158. H-D - Hunter Luther, 5-13-72; Landon Dobbs, 2-6-5.

RUSHING Wynot - Dylan Heine, 7-19; Zack Foxhoven, 2-11; Kasen Koch, 3-10; Carson Wieseler, 3-9. H-D Hunter Luther, 43-192; Lane Belina, 9-50; Dylan Birchacek, 8-22; Landon Dobbins, 1-3.

RECEIVING Wynot - Carson Wieseler, 6-88; Joseph Sudbeck, 2-58; Zack Foxhoven, 2-9; H-D - Oscar Dominguez, 2-41; Dylan Brichacek, 2-11; Colton Klosen, 1-12. TACKLES

Wynot - Zack Foxhoven, 9; Andrew Haberman, 9; Carson Wieseler, 6; Dylan Heine 5; H-D - Lane Belina, 6; Dylan Grichacek, 6; Ryan Nelson, 5; Connor Kreikemeier 4