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Wynot — The Wynot Blue Devils met the Hitchcock County Falcons in the second round game of the football playoffs on Friday afternoon and came away with a hard fought 22-14 win. Both teams struggled to move the ball against a stiff 20 mile per hour wind but found some success with the breeze at their backs. The defenses controlled the tempo for most of the game.
Wynot’s offense was led by Lane Heimes who had a pair of short touchdown runs and Devin Brummer who was 13 for 23 for 120 yards.
The Blue Devils defense gave up the first quarter score but settled down and made it tough going for the Falcons offense the rest of the way. Parker Schmidt and Jed Nelson led the defense with 2 sacks each.
Hitchcock County’s offense was paced by Adam Kisker who caught a pair of touchdown passes.
The Falcons defense was anchored by Karson Shuler and Jack Neban with 10 tackles apiece and both had a fumble recovery and interception in the game.
“Our defense played great but the offense struggled giving up to many turnovers with two interceptions and two fumbles lost. We were glad to come out with the win against a good Hitchcock County team,” commented Wynot head coach Steve Heimes.
In the opening quarter both defenses would hold the others offense in check until late when the Falcons were able to get on the scoreboard with just 18 seconds left. The score came on a 25 yard halfback pass from Karson Shuler to Adam Kisker. Baker ran in the PAT and the Falcons held an 8-0 advantage at the end of the first period.
Wynot would answer early in the second quarter when after a good kickoff return Wynot would drive 35 yards in 10 plays . First down runs by Lane Heimes and Andrew Haberman keyed the drive. Heimes would dive in over the left side from the 3 yard line for the Blue Devil score. The PAT run was stopped as Wynot trailed 6-8.
The Falcons went 3 and out on their next offensive possession but Wynot gave the ball right back on an interception by Hitchcock County’s Carson Shuler.
Wynot defense would hold as they took over at the 32 yard line. Catches of 4,10,6 yards by tight end Killian Steinhaus moved the ball deep into Falcons territory. Lane Heimes capped the drive on a 4 yard option pitch over the right side for the score. Killian Steinhaus caught the PAT pass over the middle for the PAT as Wynot took the lead 14-8 at halftime.
Defenses controlled most of third quarter for both teams A Jaret Neban interception stopped a Wynot drive. A Parker Schmidt sack stalled a Falcon drive.
With a minute and a half left in the third quarter Wynot would mount a drive. First down runs by Andrew Haberman and Lane Heimes moved the ball inside the Falcons 20 yard line. On a fourth down play Wynot ran a reverse pass from Andrew Haberman to Kotner Koch for the 24 yard touchdown. Koch grabbed the PAT pass to increase the Blue Devils lead to 22-8 going into the final quarter of the game.
Defenses held tough early in the fourth quarter as each team punted twice. Then Hitchcock County got set up in good field position after another Blue Devil fumble.
Jack Baker would cash in on a 22 yard touchdown pass to Adam Kisler for their second score of the game. The PAT pass was no good but the Falcons had cut the Blue Devils lead to one score trailing 22-14.
After the ensuing kickoff Wynot took over at their own 36 yard line. The Blue Devils went to the wildcat set and ran out the last 5:51 off the clock . With Andrew Haberman carrying the ball 10 straight times and finally going down at the 1 yard line as the clock would expire with Blue Devils advancing to the next round with the 22-14 win.
Wynot will be on the road to play Central Valley in the next round of the playoffs.
Wynot 0 14 8 0 — 22 Hitchcock 8 0 0 6 — 14 Wynot Hitchcock Co. Rushing 82 43 Passing 120 133 Ttl yds 202 176
PASSING
Wynot - Devin Brummer, 13-2-97; Andrew Haberman, 1-1-23; Hitchcock Co.- Jack Baker, 4-7-42; Karson Shuler 1-1-25.
RUSHING
Wynot - Andrew Haberman, 17-46; Lane Heimes, 11-37. Hitchcock Co.- Jack Baker, 10-18; Carter Propp, 10-18.
RECEIVING
Hitchcock Co. - Adam Kisker. 3-62; Jayce Hauxwell,1-4. Wynot Andrew Haberman, 5-42; Alec Sudbeck, 3-30; Kotner Koch, 2-29; Killian Steinhaus, 3-20.
TACKLES
Hitchcock Co. - Karson Shuler, 10; Jaret Neban, 10; Brody Hubl, 11; Wynot - Parker Schmidt, 9; Killian Steinhaus, 7; Jed Nelson, 5.
