For the third straight season, the Hemingford Bobcat football club has qualified for the state playoffs. Class D1 has 32 teams that reach the tournament and the Cats are the 13th seed following a 36 to 12 win over Perkins County on Friday. The battle was played at home as the Cats improve to 7 and 1 on the year. Hemingford led just 8 to 0 at half but scored 4 times in the second half to pull away for the victory.
Defense was the name of the game in the first quarter with both squads not finding the end zone. Solid performances on D continued in the second. The hosts finally broke thru late in period #2. From midfield, Bobcat quarterback Jacob Bryner got loose and scored from the 40. The PAT was good and with 2:04 showing on the clock in the second period, the Cats led 8 to 0. There were no more scores in the half.
Perkins would score first in the third. A Plainsmen TD with 6:23 remaining in the quarter got the guests close. The extra point was no good as the Bobcat lead was sliced to 8 to 6. Momentum quickly went back to the Cats. On the ensuing kick return, Jayce Hass brought the home crowd to their feet with a super 78 yard TD kick return. The extra point was no good and with 6:10 on the clock, Hemingford led 14 to 6. Both teams would score once more in the third. A Perkins TD later made the score 14 to 12 after an unsuccessful PAT attempt. At 1:05 mark, Bryner found the end zone once again. The touchdown scamper went 24 yards. Heading to the fourth, the Cats had a 22 to 12 advantage.
In the fourth, the hosts put the game away with 2 more tallies. Bryner raced in from the 36 yard line for his third touch on the contest. The point after try was no good and with 10:11 left in the battle, the Bobcats held a 28 to 12 cushion. Hemingford would get the ball back later and add one more score. The key play in the drive came from Bryner who broke free for a 37 yard carry. He was tackle inside the Perkins 10 yard line. The play ended with 2:02 left on the clock. A Hemingford TD and a good PAT ensued. Final Bobcats 36 Plainsmen 12
PER 0 0 12 0 12
HEM 0 8 14 14 36
The Cats will be at home for the first round of the playoffs on Thursday with a ball game versus East Butler.