Familiar Jaguars rally to knock Tigers out of playoffs again

HOWELLS, Neb. — Dundy County-Stratton took a 14-0 lead, but football power Howells-Dodge just wouldn’t go away during another showdown in Friday’s Class D-2 state playoffs.

The Jaguars (9-2 record) rallied to win an amazing duel between top rushers Ethan Latta (218 yards) from DC-S vs. H-D sophomore Hunter Luther (191).

Though Latta outgained him, it was Luther’s two touchdowns that helped power the 36-28 Jaguars win.

Howells-Dodge stopped the DC-S win streak at 10 (10-1 final record) while also ending these Tigers’ playoff run three consecutive years.

DC-S has finished each year against the Jaguars since winning a Class D-1 state title in 2020.

The Jaguars won at Benkelman two years ago and have won those last two showdowns in Howells.

Latta scored four touchdowns for the Tigers which finished his simply awesome sophomore campaign. More about Latta will appear in an upcoming Gazette.

Senior quarterback Lane Brown completed eight passes which gained 132 yards.

Latta, junior Jackson Kerchal and senior Brodie Rodgers each caught two. Sophomore August Shaw turned another reception into 31 yards.

However, the Jaguars also picked off two Tiger pass attempts.

Kerchal’s 16 total tackles topped the DC-S defense with Rogers making 12 and Brown 11 in this season finale.