103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Sabetha at Nemaha Central - click here to listen 

Nemaha Central knew possessions would be limited in a defensive showdown between undefeated Big 7 teams in Seneca Friday night. However, the Thunder made big plays and was very efficient while scoring on three of their five offensive drives and notched their 21st straight League victory with a 21-7 win against rival Sabetha. 

Mitchell Henry scored all three Nemaha touchdowns with his legs and was 10 of 14 passing for 166 yards to propel the Thunder to 7-0 and defeat the Bluejays for the 10th time in the last 11 meetings.  Perhaps the most impressive stat was Nemaha Central converting 11 of 13 opportunities on third down with Henry keeping plays alive while making great decisions all night.

After forcing a three-and-out to start the game, Nemaha took advantage of a short punt and went 51 yards in 13 plays before Henry ran in a touchdown from one-yard-out.  That opening Thunder drive including conversion on third and 16 and third and eight.  Sabetha would answer and tie the game with a 74 yard drive as Gabe Garber broke a 17-yard rushing score on the 10th play late in the first quarter.  The biggest play of the game, might have been on the next drive as facing a third and 20, Henry scrambled and bought time before launching a 57 yard pass to Camron Feldkamp that he fought and won control for as he landed with a Bluejay defender.  On the next play, Henry scored on a five-yard run to put Nemaha ahead 13-7 and Sabetha’s final drive of the first half (14 plays) was stopped on downs at the Thunder 23 yard line. 

Both teams punted to start the second half, but Alex Suther blocked the Bluejay punt, which set up field position at the Sabetha 41-yard line.  Six plays later, Henry ran in his third touchdown from eight yards out and passed to Mitchell Heiman for a two-point conversion to make it 21-7 with 3:46 remaining in the third frame.  Sabetha went three and out and then had their final drive end with an interception (only turnover of game) by Isaac Haverkamp as Nemaha Central converted four more third down plays and ran the final 8:24 off the clock to preserve the win. 

Henry, who has battled a shoulder injury, let Dalton Schmelzle finish the game at QB on the final drive, but registered 46 yards rushing to go with 166 yards passing and earning Citizens State Bank and Trust Company “Player to Bank on” honors.  Noe Gauna (carrying a bigger load because Luke Reitz was out with injury) had 39 yards and Suther added 26 as Nemaha Central ran for 115 yards to complement 187 yards passing and 16 first downs in the contest.  Feldkamp had 89 yards on four receptions while Heiman caught three passes for 42 yards in a very balanced offensive attack.  Henry was never touched and had incredible protection from his five senior lineman who shared Denison State Bank “Lineman of the Game” honors.  Austin Schmelzle, Matt Feldkamp, Caleb Henry (who also made some huge plays on defense), Bryant Stallbaumer, Eli McWilliams and Eli Wilson won the battle in the trenches.   

Sabetha, now 6-1, had 196 yards of offense including 1-3 passing with a 26-yard completion to Blake Frey.  Wyatt Beyer, Garber and Joe Gruber all finished between 45 and 55 yards rushing.  Both teams were marred by some penalties, especially personal fouls in the first half of the heated and highly anticipated showdown.