Neligh-Oakdale Plays Spoiler During Cyclone Homecoming

Clearwater-Orchard avoided the shutout Friday night with a fourth-quarter touchdown as Neligh-Oakdale played spoiler on homecoming.

Neligh-Oakdale topped the Cyclones 41-8 in Orchard.

"I though we played really hard," Clearwater-Orchard coach Jeff Shabram said. "We got caught on our heels early on in the game. They're a super good team, and we knew that going in."

The Warriors, ranked fifth in the state in Eight Man by the Omaha World-Hearld, got off to a rough start with back-to-back penalties. Coach Ron Beacom took a timeout right away to get the kinks out. Neligh-Oakdale responded with four touchdowns.

"I thought when they were asked to do things, they did them," Beacom said. "Defensively, we played well, and that was top to bottom with all 17 we had out there. Our special teams played well, too. It's going to look ugly offensively at times, and when it does, it kind of makes you feel like the whole game got ugly. But that's part of growing up and getting older."

The Warriors scored 28 points in the first quarter, but the Cyclones held Neligh-Oakdale scoreless in the second quarter. Neither team found the end zone in the second. 

"Once we made some adjustments, our young players settled in and they made some adjustments," Shabram said. "The effort was definitely there they whole game."

Neligh-Oakdale (3-0) found the end zone again in the third quarter as the offense started clicking again. Clearwater-Orchard (0-2) then scored in the fourth quarter. 

"We could have executed better, and that's something we need to do in the future," Beacom said. "We'll keep working. Regardless of how old the kids are, they'll keep working and keep getting better. They have to get rid of the nerves."

Neligh-Oakdale senior Luke Jacobsen went out of the game at the end of the first half. Beacom said Jacobsen was evaluated on the sideline, but he's uncertain of the extent of the injury at this time.

The Warriors will have a bye next week while Clearwater-Orchard hosts another all-Antelope County matchup. The Cyclones will face Elgin Public/Pope John with both teams looking for their first victories.