It was a regular-season finale Thursday night as Hitchcock County played host to Cambridge. The Falcons were tough on both sides of the ball winning 34-0.
Hitchcock County captured the momentum early in the game. Cambridge was set to punt after running six plays on their opening drive. The Falcons were able to get through the line and block the punt resulting in excellent starting field position for the Falcons. Just a couple of plays later, Karson Shuler sprinted in from 20 yards away for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good. It was 8-0 with 8:42 to go in the first.
Throughout the game, Cambridge was moving the ball against the Falcons, but Hitchcock County wouldn't break. They would get timely stops.
At the 5:45 mark in the first, Jaret Neben ran it in from nine yards away. The two-point conversion was good and it was 16-0.
We went to the second quarter, and not much happened. The teams traded possessions, but no one could score. It was 16-0 going to the half.
Out of the half, Cambridge got a stop on the Falcons' opening possession. But the Trojans couldn't find the necessary yardage. Both teams' defenses were playing at a high level again in the third quarter.
It wasn't until the 1:04 mark in the third that Jack Baker burst out for a 50-yard touchdown run. It was at that point 22-0.
In the fourth quarter, Hitchcock County scored twice more: Once on an eight-yard run by Jack Baker and another on a 35-yard run by Carter Propp.
Unofficial Stats for Hitchcock County
The Falcons had 301 yards rushing on 47 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Based on our stats, they had 0 yards passing. They did have one turnover, a fumble. Carter Propp had 135 yards rushing and one touchdown. Jack Baker had 96 yards rushing and two scores. Karson Shuler had 32 yards and a touchdown. Jaret Neben had 26 yards and a score. The Falcons picked off the Trojans three times.
Unofficial Stats for Cambridge
Cambridge had 56 yards rushing and 180 yards passing. Tayten Koeppen had 32 yards rushing, and Abram Norton had 22. Jayden Ruf would have played a major factor in the run game but left with an apparent leg injury. Norton was 16-33 passing with 180 yards. Krayton Ruggles had 85 yards in eight catches, Brady Ahlemeyer had 55 yards on three catches, Koppen had 21 yards receiving and Hodge Raburn had 19.
We caught up with Hitchcock County's Jack Baker after the game. Postgame interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
Cambridge is now 4-4 and Hitchcock County is 6-2. Both teams will now wait to see who their opponent will be in the Class D2 Playoffs.
Check out the highlights from the game brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.