Two down and three to go. This is one of the themes for the Hemingford football team as their season comes to an end. Helped by a four touchdown effort from senior quarterback Jacob Bryner, the Cats defeated Stanton on Friday 50 to 26 to advance to quarterfinal action of the Class D 1 state playoffs. The contest was played in Hemingford. With the win, the Bobcats improve to 9 and 1 for the year. Hemingford led 32 to 20 at halftime then outscored the Mustangs 18 to 6 in the second half in getting the victory. Bryner ran for 2 scores and had two more touchdowns in the air.
Hemingford got the ball first and wasted little time in getting on the board. Cat Ryan Ragsdale scored from the 40 on a counter play as the Cats struck first. Bryner added the pat and with 10:50 showing on the clock, the hosts led 8 to 0. On Stanton first series, the Mustangs tied the contest at 8. The guests used a nice option play to get close and knotted the ball at 8 on a 17 yard TD pass plus a good pat. The Cats responded with another score on their next possession . Bryner scored on a 45 yard touchdown scamper. His extra point was good and with the clock showing 2:07, the Bobcat advantage was 16 to 8. The first period came to an end with Hemingford getting strong defensive plays by Josh Miller and Talon Payne and a Mustang punt. After one quarter of action, the hosts led 16 to 8.
Starting on the 15, the Cats put together another nice drive to increase their lead as the second period started. A 20 yard run by Zaine Feist plus a 22 yard pass from Bryner to Jayce Haas got the Cats close. The drive ended with Feist scoring from the 6. Ragsdale tacked on the extra point. Midway through the quarter, the hosts were up 24 to 8. Stanton, last year’s state runners up, was not done. The visitors put together a long scoring series that ended with a 3 yard TD run. The PAT was no good and with under 5 minutes in the half, the Mustang deficit stood at 24 to 14. Another touchdown by Ragsdale ensued. It came from the 29 yard line. Feist added the point after try, making it 32 to 14. The half came to a conclusion with a 3 yard TD run by Stanton and Hemingford out in front 32 to 20.
In the third, the guests got the ball first and threatened. But an interception by Bobcat Carson Haas stopped the drive. From the 18, Bryner raced 62 yards for another HHS score. The X tra point was no good as the hosts increased their margin to 38 to 20. Again the Hemingford defense was up for the challenge on Stanton next drive. Tayten Haas had a tackle for a loss plus pressured the Mustang quarterback on a fourth down attempt that gave the ball back to the Cats. Starting on the 28, the Cats got solid ground gains by Feist, Payne, and Bryner to get close. The drive concluded with a 3 yard TD pass from Bryner to Jayce Haas that made it 44 to 20 as the period came to a finish.
More QB pressure by Tayten Haas is how the finale began. The senior defensive end broke thru and caused an incomplete pass on a Mustang fourth down attempt. Hemingford’s final tally came in the air. Bryner first connected with Jayce Haas for a big 9 yard gain on a fourth down try. From the 7, Bryner hit Tayten Haas for the Cat’s last score. The play came with 6:49 left in the contest. It put the hosts ahead 50 to 20. Stanton would score one more time on a 15 yard TD pass at the 4:27 mark. Their pat attempt was no good, making it 50 to 26. Bryner would recover the following onside kick play, giving the Cats the ball at midfield. Both squads would have one more possession but no scores. Final Hemingford 50 Stanton 26
Stanton 8 12 0 6 26
Hem 16 16 12 6 50
Stats: Rushing. Bryner 23 carries 169 yards 2 TD. Payne 4 attempts 10 yards. Feist 7 tries 54 yards 1 TD. Ragsdale 4 attempts 74 yards 2 TD. Bryner 2 TD passes. Tayten Haas 1 receiving touchdown. Jayce Haas 1 receiving TD. Bryner 2 good pats
Ragsdale 1 good pat. Feist 1 good pat.
The Cats will travel to high scoring Crofton on Friday for quarterfinal action.