Seen as one of the top games across the State in week seven and it didn't disappoint as the rivalry showdown between Nemaha Central and Sabetha with plenty at stance including remaining unbeaten on the season. 

Unlike the previous two matchups between the rivals this one was close from wire to wire and the Thunder snagged the win late scoring on a short field as Luke Haverkamp ran the ball in from one-yard out with 57.6 seconds left to go pushing Nemaha Central to a 20-14 lead and ultimately the win. Sabetha got the ball with an opportunity late but turned it over on downs to give the Thunder the win. 

The game started with the Sabetha Bluejays mounting a solid drive but saw it stall out on a turnover on downs just outside of the redzone. Nemaha Central answered with a scoring drive of five plays on their first offensive series using a 50-yard run by Ryan Hasenkamp on the drive then a 13-yard run by Hasenkamp to take an early 7-0 lead. 

Bluejays got some short fields in the first half but again were unable to find the endzone until Blake Plattner busted a 31-yard run for a touchdown just 10 seconds into the second quarter to even the game at 7-7. It remained tied as the halftime loomed but the Bluejays looked primed to take the lead driving in the final minute of the first half but Nemaha Central held the Bluejays out of the endzone on the one-yard line and time expired sending the game to half tied at 7-7. 

The Thunder got the kickoff to start the second half and mount a long and time consuming drive but stalled out in the redzone and turned the ball over on downs. Sabetha on the next play busted an 82-yard touchdown run by Plattner and the Bluejays took the 14-7 lead. 

A bit of trickeration by the Thunder tied the game back up as Dylan Enneking tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Luke Haverkamp and the game was tied 14-14 with 9:09 left to go, scoring on a short field after a Chase Kramer interception set the Thunder up on the Sabetha 32-yard line. Nemaha Central's defense came up big down the stretch stopping Sabetha, forcing the punt and getting short fields. 

A solid punt return by Mitchell Henry set up Nemaha with a scoring opportunity but Gabe Garber intercepted a Thunder pass and kept the game tied. However the Nemaha Central defense came up with another stop of the Bluejays and got the ball on the 20-yard line after David Delaney forced a bad Sabetha punt. A few plays later Haverkamp scored with 57.6 second left to help the Thunder earn the win. 

The win pushes Nemaha Central to 6-0 and 1-0 District play, while moving them closer to a Big Seven League title. Hasenkamp paced the Thunder on the night rushing for 114 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown and 7-13 for 60 yards helping keep the Thunder in the game early and earning "Community National Bank" Player to Bank On honors. Haverkamp finished with three carries for 20 yards and touchdown and touchdown reception. The Thunder won in the series for the ninth time in the last 10 contests against Sabetha. 

Sabetha in the loss was led by Plattner who ran for 164 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns as the Bluejays fell to 6-1 on the year and 0-1 in District play. 

Both teams continue District play next week as Nemaha Central will host Riverside and Sabetha travels to Hiawatha in week eight.