Last night, the #2-ranked team in Class 2A took host to their county, league, and district rival in the Sabetha Bluejays, in a Big East and 2A District 4 showdown. It was a flashy start for Nemaha Central and a stuttered second half, but they managed to come out on top to remain undefeated on the season. Last night’s game is an all-time game to remember. 

Nemaha Central over Sabetha 20-18

Nemaha Central started hot with their opening drive, taking no time to get on the board. The Thunder’s opening possession was a one-play 75-yard touchdown pass from Carter Hajek to Caleb Strathman, capped off by an extra point from Levi Thomas. Seneca would punt off their first drive quickly after picking up only one first down, and Nemaha Central would waste no time in stringing together an 80-yard drive to go up 14-0. Sabetha would finally be able to respond with a solid run-heavy drive finished off by a one-yard touchdown rush from Micah Lang. 

The Thunder would add their third and final touchdown of the game on their third consecutive drive with Carter Hajek finding the endzone from 11 yards out in the Sabetha redzone, going up 20-8. Jeyton Meyer from Sabetha would nail a 24-yard field goal to squeeze the margin to nine points, 20-11, going into halftime.

Sabetha opened the third quarter with a methodical drive led by the legs of Will Voos, who brought the game to 20-18 off a 21-yard scamper up the gut. Sabetha would unfortunately not be able to use their second possession in the third quarter or the rest of their possessions given to them in the fourth to rally the comeback. The Bluejays managed back-to-back interceptions from Micah Lang and Malachi Strahm off quarterback Carter Hajek, but both pick drives would end in heartbreaking missed field goals back-to-back for Sabetha. Sabetha would force the Thunder to punt with less than three minutes to go in the fourth, but would turn it over on downs on a 4th and five around midfield. 

It was a heartbreaking loss for Sabetha, but a resilient win for Nemaha Central after their electric first-half start. The Thunder finished with 311 yards in the game, with 167 yards rushing. Sabetha outrushed Nemaha Central with 249 yards on the ground, but only 15 yards in the air, which is what made the difference in the match-up. 

Carter Hajek finished with 20 carries for 112 yards and a rushing touchdown, while also throwing for 144 yards and a score. A combined total of 256 yards of offense and two scores for the top candidate for offensive player of the year in Class 2A. 

Will Voos ended the night leading the rushing attack for Sabetha with 20 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown. Five different Bluejays ran the ball in the loss, with all five rushing for at least 20 or more yards off four or more carries.
(All stats except scoring are unofficial)

Summary

Nemaha Central improves to 6-0 on the season, 3-0 in the Big East, and 2-0 in the district. Sabetha falls to 5-1 on the year, 4-1 in the league, and 2-1 in the district. Next up for Nemaha is Royal Valley on the road, and for Sabetha, they will head back home and take on Oskaloosa.