Knights fight hard at State

LINCOLN - A game played with heart and drive best describes the Class D2 final match up between Sandhills-Thedford and Kenesaw. With several big plays, it came down to the final two minutes. Kyle Cox took the ball over the goal line but a holding penalty took away the touchdown and put S-T in a 4th and goal from the 17-yard line. The Kenesaw defense held and time ran out, making the final score 46-40.

Knights Coach Josh Deines said, “This was a unique experience,” when talking about playing in Memorial Stadium. “Last year we made it to the finals but with COVID, we did not get to play on the field. Making it back for the second year, I was excited for the kids.”

Starting out, both teams scored on their opening drives with Kenesaw first. S-T answered back when Reece Zutavern ran for a 54-yard touchdown to tie the game 8-8. Kenesaw went on to score again, making the score 30-8.

Part way through the second quarter, Coach Deines said they went to their “heavy package,” that is, putting freshman Kyle Cox in as quarter back, moving Reece Zutavern to fullback and Dane Pokorney to tailback.

“Dane is a bigger body and a bigger hammer,” Coach Deines said. “I was not worried about the deficient. All year we had been going to the heavy package to make some big plays.”

That strategy worked as the score was 30-24 at half.

Starting the second half, the Knights scored on the opening play. Zutavern returned as quarterback and ran for a 61-yard touchdown to put Sandhills-Thedford in the lead, 32-30. Another touchdown run by Zutavern put the Knights up 40-30.

“We needed to get some stops,” Coach Deines said, referring to the two touchdowns Kenesaw made in the third quarter to take the lead, making the score 46-40.

Cox came back in as quarterback and Sandhills-Thedford went down the field to be within the 5-yard line. They scored but a holding call negated the touchdown.

“It was unfortunate that we had the penalty on the touchdown. The kids played tough and played really well, Kenesaw just made one more play,” Coach Deines went on to say.

The senior team leaves with an impressive 40 wins to 5 losses.

“We have a good young team coming up, our JV went 6-0 this year, Dienes said. “Next year, we have a new year, new look, new team. I always tell my team at the beginning of the year, they will play to the best of their ability.”

Congratulations to the Sandhills-Thedford Knights on their impressive 12-1 season and being the State-runner up for Class D-2.

Jamie Taylor Background photo group photo: Sandhills-Thedford 2021 Class D2 runner-up for the second year in a row. Front: Ross Martindale, Brady Haake, Brodie Stengel, Kaden Hakke, Kyle Cox, Alvero Ferran, Caden Zutavern, Carson Cooksley. Middle Row: Keghan Schaefer, Connor Cooksley, Colinn Winkelbauer, Brayden Guggenmos,Tyson Hickman, Aydyn Hall, Preston Moschenross. Back Row: Coach Cade Pokorny, Rhett McFadden, Coach Andrew Christen, Andrew Furrow, Brady Dahlberg, Zeb Wilde, Seniors: Reece Zutavern Seth Scranton, Drew McIntosh, Trae Hickman, Parker Ballenger, Dane Pokorny, Coach Josh Deines, Coach Tyson Cox. Inset photos from left: Trae Hickman runs the ball down the field. The senior had seven carries with a total of 34 yards with three extra points made in the game. Next photo: Senior Reece Zutavern pushes through the Kenesaw defense. He had a total of 9 carries for a total of 178 yards and crossed the goal line for four touchdowns. Zutavern also made 24 tackles. Middle photo: Dane Pokorny carries the ball in the Knights’ final game against Kenesaw. Pokorny had 25 rushes with a total of 110 yards and made two extra points. Defensively, Pokorny totaled 16 tackles. Next photo: Seniors Drew McIntosh and Seth Scranton pull down a Kenesaw runner. MacIntosh gets credit for 15 tackles and Scranton gets a total of nine for the day. Photo on right: Junior Zeb Wilde contributed nine tackles against the Kenesaw offense and #12 Seth Scranton assist in the defensive tackle.