On a night with several great close games in Northeast Kansas, the Nemaha County Rivalry wouldn’t disappoint.

The Sabetha Bluejays were in town to battle the Nemaha Central Thunder for bragging rights and to see which team could go 2-1 on the season.

Sabetha won the last two matchups of this rivalry and would try to make it three in a row with a win on Friday night.

For Sabetha it was the run game that would be most effective in a 29-22 victory on Friday night.

Nemaha Central would get the scoring started as they would get a 9-yard passing touchdown from Zach Kramer to Tyler Gerety (7-0).

Sabetha would then quickly tie things up with an explosive 85-yard touchdown by Senior Drew Schmelzle (7-7).

The Thunder would then once again take the lead at the beginning of the second half with a 9-yard touchdown run by Tyler Gerety (14-7).

Sophomore Josh Hermann would find the endzone with a 7-yard touchdown run to tie the game up once again (14-14).

Zach Kramer would then show off his speed with a break away 79-yard touchdown run for the Thunder (22-14).

Ross Duncan would walk into the endzone with a 5-yard touchdown run, and Sabetha would convert the 2-point attempt with a pass from Kaden Dillon to Drew Schmelzle (22-22).

The passing game would be how Sabetha would get their final score of the night as Kaden Dillon would put a 47-yard pass right on the money to Nik Niehues for the score and the Bluejays would take the leaad (29-22).

Kramer and Thunder offense tried to drive down the field to tie it up right at the end, but however Riley Lierz would seal the Thunders fate with a late Interception, that would help Sabetha hold on to get the win in the Nemaha County Rivalry Showdown.

Sabetha was led on the ground by Senior Drew Schmelzle with 126 yards rushing and one touchdown on the ground while Kaden Dillon threw for 65 yards and one touchdown on the night.

For the Thunder they were led by Zach Kramer who had 146 yards on the ground and one touchdown, while also throwing for 130 yards and one score.

The Sabetha Bluejays with the win move to 2-1 on the season and will look to start 1-0 in district play next week as the travel to Holton for a matchup with the Wildcats.

The Thunder move to 1-2 on the seasonand will look to go 1-0 as well in district play next week as they travel to ACCHS for a matchup with the Tigers.