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Raiders awake for 24-22 win over Broncos
CURTIS, Neb. — Blanked through an entire half, a senior suddenly blazed the way to victory and Medicine Valley followed it brilliantly Thursday night.
Sam Heapy’s 66-yard kickoff return sparked the Raiders’ 24-point second half as they edged tough Wauneta-Palisade, 24-22.
They truly followed a “Route 66” considering Heapy’s other two TDs covered 42 and 24 yards for 66 total.
“We know if we need a clutch play, Sam is a guy who has to make it,” coach Scott Johnsen said about his young Raider football team. “When he got thrown into the playoffs as a sophomore (quarterback), I think he gained a lot of confidence.”
Heapy directed the Raiders to a state semifinal game during that sophomore season.
On Thursday, his 204 yards on 18 rushes fueled the Raiders’ first on-field victory this season. They owned one earlier win due to Wallace’s forfeit on Aug. 30.
Big plays made the difference considering W-P made 10 more first downs, 22-12, and finished with 414 total yards to Med Valley’s 278.
Senior quarterback Ben Anderjaska delivered his own great night for the Broncos, gaining 11o rush yards and throwing two touchdown passes.
Braxton McKinney’s 14-yard catch and Anderjaska’s two-point run formed an 8-0 Bronco halftime lead.
Sophomore Lane Lenz’s PAT run following the Heapy kick return made it 8-8.
However, dangerous Bronco senior Austin Rozelle promptly galloped 52 yards to a tie-breaking TD.
Rozelle gained 69 rush yards total while McKinney caught five throws for 72.
Yet nothing could match Heapy, who unleashed his two TD runs which built a 24-14 Medicine Valley lead.
Quarterback Kaden Bonini ran to another crucial two-point PAT.
Because following Rozelle’s 19-yard touchdown catch, Anderjaska ran in another two points — but neither team scored again.
Lenz added 51 yards on nine carries for 2-1 Medicine Valley.
Senior Tucker Boos caught four passes covering 66 yards. His Broncos still slipped to 1-2.
They’ll play next at Bertrand on Friday, Sept. 20.
The Raiders meet Leyton at neutral-site Paxton Thursday evening.