Second-half surge lifts Wildcats past Wynot
HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats turned up their offense in the second half of their battle with Wynot Friday to pull away for a big 40-20 win.
Hartington-Newcastle’s record improved to 4-2 while the Blue Devils fell to 2-4 with the loss.
Kobe Heitman and Shayne Morten would lead the Wildcats rushing attack, gaining 100 yards each with Heitman scoring a pair of touchdowns. Jake Peitz would haul in a pair of short touchdown receptions to help power the Wildcat offense.
Wynot was led by Anthony Haberman who ran for 151 yards on just 11 carries. He also scored twice.
On defense for Hartington, Carson Sudbeck lead the way with 10 tackles and Dylan Dendinger recorded stops and had a pair of fumble recoveries for the Wildcats.
Wynot’s defense was led by Cody Osbahr with 15 tackles and Peyton Wieseler with
12. Mitchell Leise and Peyton Wieseler each had a fumble recovery for the Blue Devils defense.
The first quarter was not pretty as the two teams had several drives derailed by penalties and each team had a fumble as it ended with a 0-0 score.
At the nine-minute mark of the second, the Wildcats would be first on the scoreboard, as Shaye Morten hooked up with Cody Heitman on a 37-yard catch and run. The PAT failed and Hartington-Newcastle lead 6-0.
For Wynot, Anthony Haberman would receive the ensuing kickoff at the goal line and race down the right sideline for a 79-yard touchdown run. The PAT run was stopped and the score was tied at 6-6.
Late in the first half the Wildcats would put together a scoring drive. Aided by a 12-yard catch by Sam Harms and first down runs by Morten and Heitman, Hartington-Newcastle moved deep into the Blue Devils’ red zone.
Shaye Morten then found Jake Peitz uncovered in the right flat for the 4-yard touchdown toss. The PAT pass was no good and Hartington-Newcastle led 12-6 at halftime.
A rare set of circumstances occurred to open the second half. Wynot was late getting back on the field after the break and were assessed a 15-yard penalty. The Wildcats then executed a successful onside kick recovered by Matthew Meisenheimer to get possession deep in Blue Devils territory.
Kobe Heitman raced down the middle for a 16-yard touchdown. A Morten to Heitman pass worked for the PAT and the HNS lead had grown to 20-6.
Defense dominated for the rest of the third quarter. A 26-yard catch and run by Sam Harms put the ball on the Blue Devils’ side of the field as the third quarter came to an end with the Wildcats leading, 20-6.
Early in the fourth quarter the Wildcats would finish off their drive.
The scrambling of Shaye Morten helped move the ball down the field. Once again Jake Peitz would slip into the right flat and Morten hit for the 7-yard touchdown. Shaye Morten added the PAT run to increase the Wildcats lead to 28-6.
Wynot struck back quickly.
Peyton Wieseler hit Anthony Haberman for a 30-yard completion and on the next play connected with Owen Sudbeck for a 30-yard gain to the 3-yard line.
Wieseler then pushed the pile for the touchdown. The PAT pass was too high and the score stood at 28-12.
Turnovers occurred on the next two series.
First, Mitchell Leise would pounce on a Wildcat fumble for the Blue Devils. Wynot gave the ball right back on an intercepted pass by the Wildcats’ Carson Sudbeck.
A face mask call on the return gave the Wildcats the ball deep in Blue Devil territory.
Morten and Peitz would again hook up on the short touchdown toss. The PAT was no good and Hartington-Newcastle’s lead had ballooned to 34-12.
Wynot answered on their next offensive set when Anthony Haberman broke through the right side of the line and bolted 45 yards to paydirt.
Haberman also added the PAT catch to move the score to 34-20.
Hartington put one more score up on the board. After an unsuccessful on-side kick attempt, the Wildcats needed just five plays to score. Kobe Heitman would sweep the left side for the 11-yard touchdown. The PAT failed and the score had improved for the Wildcats to 40-20.
Wynot’s final possession ended when Dylan Dendinger picked up his second fumble of the night. Time ran out with Hartington-Newcastle earning the convincing 40-20 win.
Wynot 0 6 0 14 - 20 H-NS 0 128 20 - 40
HNS Wynot rushing 45-210 28-178 passing 16-27-147 5-16-44 total yds 357 222
Rushing
Hartington – Newcastle - Kobe Heitman, 100; Shayne Morten,100; Wynot- Anthony Haberman, 151; Owen Sudbeck 29.
Passing
Wynot - Shayne Morten 16 x 27 =147 Peyton Wieseler 5-14-44
Tackles
HNS - Carson Sudbeck, 10; Dylan Dendinger, 7; Jake Peitz, 6; Matthew Meisenheimer, 5; Wynot - Cody Osbahr, 15; Peyton Wieseler, 12; Garrett Lange, 8; Hunter Heimes, 6;