Bison JV football team beats Holdrege 26-14 in season opener

HOLDREGE -- McCook High School junior tailback Andy Smith scored four touchdowns to help lead the Bison junior varsity football team to a 26-14 victory over the Holdrege Dusters Monday night at Holdrege.

It was the season opener for the Bison JV squad coached by Chad Lyons.

The game got off to an ominous start for the McCook when the Bison offense fumbled inside the red zone at the Holdrege 2-yard line.

The Dusters connected on a big pass play on the first play from scrimmage and then capped a long drive with a touchdown. The extra point kick gave the Dusters a 7-0 lead.

Smith scored on TD runs of 2 and 36 yards and Shane Wallen made the PAT kicks to give McCook a 14-7 halftime lead.

The Bison marched the ball down the field on the opening drive of the second half. Smith scored from 4 yards out. The PAT pass missed the mark and McCook led 20-7.

Smith added an 18-yard TD run in the fourth and again the Bison missed on the PAT pass for a 26-6.

Holdrege closed the gap with a TD in the fourth quarter. The 2-point conversion made the final score 26-14.

"At times we played well and other times we didn't," Lyons said. "We need to work on the option. Tackling-wise, we played a hard-hitting football game. It was a great team effort."

The Bison will host Lexington next Monday at Weiland Field. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.