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A Raider revolt flags down Broncos' season
WAUNETA, Neb. — If only the “flag football” had been limited to an entertaining kids’ halftime game Thursday afternoon.
Instead, other flags were flown as penalties erased two Wauneta-Palisade touchdown plays.
Visiting Lawrence-Nelson really needed no help as the Raiders rumbled on to 38-8 victory in this D-2 state playoff opening game.
“The game really turned and we just couldn’t get back the momentum,” Broncos co-head coach Joseph Frecks confirmed.
Frecks was referring to fourth-down, first-half touchdown pass that would have stretched W-P’s lead to 14-6.
However, an illegal receiver downfield negated this huge TD.
Another penalty forced the Broncos (7-2 final record) into punting, and Lawrence Nelson drove to a go-ahead TD instead.
“Honestly, we’re not sure what happened on that play,” Frecks said. “We’re going to have to look at it on tape.”
The Raiders (6-3 record) didn’t hesitate after their halftime break. They piled on 26 more points behind powerful runs from seniors Jake Sharp, Boone Svoboda and quarterback Lane Heikkenen.
Heikkenen executed “read option” plays brilliantly all day, keeping the ball when Broncos pounced on running backs and breaking outside for big gains.
“Give Lawrence-Nelson credit. They are a well-coached, aggressive team,” Frecks observed. “They were aggressive defensively, too, and were flying to the football.”
The Broncos took an early 8-0 lead following a short Raider first punt.
They converted a clutch fourth down before junior Austin Rozelle ran 13 yards for the lone Broncos’ TD.
Still trailing 12-8, W-P turned to a potential pass but quarterback Duncan Rector was sacked.
“We thought we could get something over the top,” Frecks explained. “We had some success in the first half but were hurt by those penalties.”
The Raiders soon forced another punt and tallied another quick TD. Their advantage reached 25-8 midway through quarter three.
Down 32-8 was when another perhaps huge Bronco answer was silenced with those dreaded yellow flags.
Junior Ben Anderjaska took the ensuing kickoff, cut outside, shook one good tackle attempt and scored an apparent second Bronco touchdown.
However, a blocking penalty again erased six points for the home team.
“We just never get anything going offensively or defensively in the second half,” Frecks confirmed.
The Broncos still made some strong late tackles as seniors Caid Doetker, Dalton Harchelroad, Dennis Cavanaugh and Joel Maris capped a stellar 2018 season.
Wauneta-Palisade’s seven wins included victories over playoff qualifiers Medicine Valley, Dundy County-Stratton and Brady.
“We had a great season overall. I can’t say enough about the leadership of the seniors,” Frecks concluded. “We fought to the end.”