Warrior Defense Shuts Down Falcons In Win

A solid defensive effort guided the Neligh-Oakdale junior high football team to a 36-6 victory over Elkhorn Valley last week. 

The Warriors forced three turnovers and had a shutout going until two minutes remained in the contest.

N-O's offense did plenty of damage in the first quarter, jumping out to a 22-0 lead.

Austin Rudolf took the opening kickoff back 60 yards, setting up a two-yard rushing touchdown by Aiden Kuester. Kuester found Bryson Gadeken for the two-point conversion, putting the Warriors ahead 8-0.

On N-O's next two possessions, Kuester broke free for a 20-yard and 45-yard TD runs.

Chase Furstenau extended the Warriors' advantage to 28-0 after a 28-yard scoring pass to Gadeken. 

On the Falcons' next possession, Kuester tackled the ball-carrier in the end zone for a safety, giving the maroon and white a 30-0 lead at half.

Kuester scored the final touchdown for Neligh-Oakdale on a 44-yard scamper in the third.

The defense played stellar all game, led by Carson Whitesel's nine tackles and one caused fumble. Furstenau collected an interception and two tackles, Kuester recovered two fumbles, to go along with his eight tackles, Gadeken collected four tackles, while Landon Schrader, Keegan Payne, Gavin Longsdorth, Tanner Martensen, Trysten Coover and Colson Krebs each tallied a tackle in the win.

Neligh-Oakdale's Jacob Henry, Martensen, Schrader and Gadeken anchored the offensive line, who allowed the Warriors to record 211 yards of total offense.

Kuester led the way with 110 yards on the ground, three rushing touchdowns and 32 yards through the air on four-of-four passing. Whitesel rushed for 36 yards, Furstenau had five yards rushing, 24 yards passing and a passing touchdown, Coover had four yards on the ground and Krebs ran for three yards. Gadeken caught four passes for 32 yards and a score, while Whitesel accounted for two receptions for 24 yards.

Neligh-Oakdale (3-0) travels to Orchard to face the Cyclones Monday at 5 p.m.