Wynot tops Wildcats to open 2023 campaign

WYNOT — The Wynot Blue Devils hosted the Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats to open the 2023 football season.

The game was a tight battle in the first half, but the Blue Devils pulled away in the second half to earn the 50-26 win.

Wynot got off to a sluggish start, while the Wildcat offense was clicking in the first half, enabling the Purple Pride to take an 1816 lead at intermission.

“The Wildcats started out hot, as we managed a 26-22 lead in the third quarter before cramps set in on key players for us,” first-year HNS coach Rusty Fuller said.

Despite the late issues, Fuller was pleased with the way the team was able to move the ball.

“I thought overall we did a great job on offense moving the ball when healthy and I was pleased with our overall effort,” he said.

The Blue Devils got it rolling in the second half to outscore the Wildcats 34-8 to earn the come-from-behind win.

Wynot’s Kasen Koch rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns and Dylan Heine also had a rushing touchdown and passed for a pair of scores.

Carson Wieseler had a big night with seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Hartington-Newcastle was led by Riley Sudbeck, who rushed 28 times for 89 yards and a pair of scores. Dayton Sudbeck was on the receiving end of three passes for 97 yards.

The Wildcat defense was paced by Cole Heimes with seven tackles and Braydon Lammers had a sack.

Wynot’s defense was anchored by Kasen Koch with eight solo tackles. Koch and Chase Schroeder each had a sack, as well.

The Wildcats would get on the scoreboard first. Riley Sudbeck would hook up with Cole Heimes for a 38-yard catch-andrun to set up the score.

Sudbeck would sneak in from the twoyard line for the opening score. The conversion try was no good and the Wildcats had the early 6-0 lead.

Wynot answered at the six-minute mark when Dylan Heine connected with Carson Wieseler on an 18-yard completion for one first down. Zack Foxhoven then blasted off left tackle on a 15-yard touchdown run. Kasen Koch ran in the conversion try and Wynot led 8-6 at the end of the first frame.

The Blue Devils appeared to have a defensive stop early in the second frame, but the HNS punter dropped the punt attempt. The Blue Devil defense lost containment and he scrambled for a key first down. From there, the Wildcats mounted a drive. First-down runs by Dayton Sudbeck and Kale Korth and a facemask call on the Blue Devils helped the Wildcat scoring drive. Riley Sudbeck then had a QB sneak from the one-yard line for the Wildcats’ second score. The conversion run failed, but the Wildcats had retaken the lead 12-8.

Wynot put together a scoring drive of its own. A key first-down run by Zack Foxhoven and a 28-yard fade down the left sideline to Joesph Sudbeck fueled the drive. The Wildcat defense stiffened at the goal line, but Dylan Heine hit Carson Wieseler on a quick slant on fourth down for the score. Dylan Heine ran it in for the extra points to give Wynot the 16-12 lead.

The Wildcat offense was not done and in the final minute of the first half Riley Sudbeck hit Dayton Sudbeck on a 45-yard gain. Riley Sudbeck blasted in from the four-yard line to complete the drive. The conversion try failed, but the Wildcats were still able to hold an 18-16 lead at halftime.

Hartington-Newcastle opened the second half with a 53-yard march to paydirt. Firstdown runs by Kale Korth, Dayton Sudbeck and Cole Heimes kept the drive moving. Korth took the option pitch right for the one-yard touchdown. Riley Sudbeck ran in for two points and the Wildcats’ was 26-16.

Wynot struck back quickly, set up by a big kickoff return. Kasen Koch would sweep the right side for a 24-yard touchdown run. Heine would hit Joesph Sudbeck for two points as the Blue Devils had cut the lead to 26-24.

On their next offense possession, the Wildcats gambled on fourth down at their own 33-yard line, but the Blue Devils stuffed the play. Two plays later, Wynot found the end zone on a 26-yard scramble by Dylan Heine. The conversion pass was incomplete, but the Blue Devils held a 30-26 lead as the third quarter came to an end.

The Wildcats went three and out on their next offensive set. After a short punt, Wynot mounted a drive. Aided by a 22-yard catchand-run by Carson Wieseler and finishing with a four-yard blast off tackle right by Kasen Koch, the Blue Devils added another score. Dylan Heine swept the left side for two points. Wynot had taken a 38-26 advantage.

The Wildcats’ Will Feilmeier excited the HNS faithful as he would sweep the right side and outrun the Blue Devil defenders for an apparent score, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Wynot’s defense held after that.

On their next offensive set, the Blue Devils’ Kasen Koch broke a 65-yard run down the left sideline. Dylan Heine dove in from the four-yard line to complete the drive. The conversion pass was no good as Wynot had increased its lead to 44-26.

Wynot added one more score on a 24-yard deep crossing pattern from Dylan Heine to Carson Wieseler. The conversion try was no good to make the final tally 50-26 in favor of the Blue Devils.

Wynot travels to Humphrey St. Francis to take on the Flyers Friday. Hartington-Newcastle will host Plainview.

Fuller said his team must improve its defensive effort if it is to compete well against its second straight state-rated foe.

“We need to be stronger on run defense and continue to improve each week,” he said.

Wynot 8 8 14 20 — 50 Hart-New. 6 12 8 0 — 26 HNS Wynot Passing 9-20-164 13-23-179 Rushing 48-125 31-197 Total yds 68-209 54Penalty/yds 12-95 12-75 First Downs 14 20

PASSING

HNS - Riley Sudbeck, 9-20-164. Wynot - Dylan Heine, 13-22-179; Devin Brummer, 0-1.

RUSHING

HNS - Riley Sudbeck, 28-84; Kale Korth, 9-38; Cole Heimes, 9-12; Will Feilmeier, 1-4; Jason Heimes, 1-5. Wynot - Kasen Koch, 14-126; Dylan Heine, 11-47; Zack Foxhoven, 4-20; Karter Pick, 1-3; Lane Heimes, 1-1.

RECEIVING

HNS - Dayton Sudbeck, 3-97; Cole Heimes, 4-55; Ty Opfer, 1-7; Carter Kelly, 1-5. Wynot - Carson Wieseler, 7-103; Joseph Sudbeck, 2-25; Alec Sudbeck, 2-23; Chase Schroeder, 2-21; Andrew Haberman, 1-7.

TACKLES

HNS - Kale Korth, 12; Dayton Sudbeck, 9; Cole Heimes. 9; Jason Heimes, 6; Braeden Lammers, 5; Riley Sudbeck, 5; Will Feilmeier, 4; Ayden Rosener, 4; Lincoln Grutsch, 3; Carter Kelly, 2; Ty Opfer, 1; Austin Sudbeck, 1. Wynot - Kasen Koch, 21; Andrew Haberman, 17; Carson Wieseler, 14; Zack Foxhoven, 11; Dylan Heine, 9; Chase Schroeder, 7; Brennen Heimes, 4; Joseph Sudbeck, 4; Alec Sudbeck, 3; Kotner Koch, 3; Korbin Guenther, 2; Carter Hans, 1; Jed Nelson, 1.