Warriors Defeat Broncos, 24-9
(Hastings, NE) – In the annual battle for the Watchorn-McLaughlin Trophy, Midland took down the Broncos, 24-9.
(Hastings, NE) – In the annual battle for the Watchorn-McLaughlin Trophy, Midland took down the Broncos, 24-9.
Hastings forced a Midland punt to start the game and later began the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by freshman Colton Willmott to go up 3-0 that was kickstarted by a 20-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jarrett Synek to freshman Damien Jenkins. The Broncos took seven minutes off the clock, going 65 yards before kicking the field goal with 2:15 left in the first quarter.
The Warriors had a long drive on their next possession, going 45 yards in 13 plays. They also ended up with a 36-yard field goal on the drive after the Broncos forced an incompletion on third-and-four, tying the game at three to begin the second quarter scoring.
After a Bronco punt, Midland took possession and went 70 yards in 15 plays for a touchdown, capped off on a one-yard quarterback run to go up 10-3 right before halftime.
Both teams punted on their first possessions of the second half. On 2nd and 17 from the Midland 48 yard line, Synek threw a deep ball to senior receiver Eli Nappe on the near sideline for a 48-yard touchdown. Hastings had the extra point blocked to still trail 10-9.
The Warriors were faced with 3rd and 22 from the Hastings 38, but got the first down two plays later, then ran it in for a touchdown three plays later to go up eight, 17-9, with 12:42 left in the fourth quarter.
Hastings converted a 3rd and 19 from their own 10 with a 35-yard pass from Synek to senior Quaesean Hill, however the Warriors stopped the drive shortly after. Hastings later had a chance to get the ball back with 6:30 left, but a muffed punt gave the ball back to the Warriors at the Hastings 21, and they scored a touchdown two plays later to take a 24-9 lead.
Synek and the Broncos put together a long drive on their next series needing a touchdown, but the drive stalled at the Midland five with an incomplete pass on fourth down, to seal the Warrior win, 24-9.
Junior running back Dalton Armbruster had nine carries for 40 yards and Synek completed 15 of 27 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown. Senior Jake Bargen had six catches for 75 yards, while Nappe had three receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore linebacker Dawson Kissinger had a game-high 11 tackles.
Up next, Hastings will play at Briar Cliff on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1pm.
