Hastings College Football @ Doane // HC Broncos Athletics
CRETE – The Hastings College football team was hoping to end the season on a high note with a winning season but the Doane Tigers spoiled the idea with a 20-15 win over the Broncos on Saturday afternoon.
It was a windy day and early on both teams felt its effects as both offenses struggled to move the ball.
After Doane took an early lead on a field goal, Hastings did manage to get on the board in the second quarter when the Bronco defense forced a fumble that the Tigers did recover in the end zone for a safety as HC trailed by just one 3-2 at halftime.
Things did look a bit bleak for the Broncos as Doane built a 17-2 lead early in the third and it appeared Hastings was in business but its second turnover in the red zone kept points off the board. But the Bronco defense got another stop and this time super senior Brett Simonsen went to work on the next drive as Carson Kudlacek hit him for a 29-yard gain and two plays later, Simonsen broke free finding the end zone from 20-yards out to make it 17-9.
Doane would tack on another field goal to go up 20-9 as the game ticked late into the fourth quarter. As both teams traded missed field goals, the Bronco defense would get another stop and the Bronco offense would go right to work.
Just two plays into the drive, Kudlacek hit a streaking Ethan Wilborn for a 46-yard strike to move the ball to the Doane 14. Two plays later Simonsen dashed his way to the Tiger two and then super back Laython Shaw finished the drive off plowing his way into the end zone to make it 20-15 as the two point attempt failed with 4:46 to go in the game.
Again the Bronco defense bent but didn’t break and got the ball back for the offense with one more shot to win the game.
Kudlacek would hit Eli Nappe for a seven yard gain and then picked up the first down on a four yard scamper. He then hit Jaishawn Wright for a 16-yard gain to midfield and then a pass interference penalty moved the ball to the Tiger 35. The Doane defense would stiffen as Hastings was faced with a 4th-and-5 play from the 30. Kudlacek was looke across the middle for Wright but Ty Martinsen jumped the route intercepting the ball to end the drive and ultimately the game.
On a windy day field position really played a pivotal part as Hastings out gained the Tigers 409-214 but turnovers along with field position played a huge part.
Kudlacek finished the game 25-for-49 for 215 yards. Simonsen had his first 100-yard rushing game this year rushing for 106 yards on 23 carries and a score. Nappe finished with 61 yards on eight receptions while Simonsen also had eight receptions for 59 yards.
Jayden Roberts finished the game with a career high 14 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss. Gavin White added six tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss along with two sacks.
Hastings ends the season 5-6 (4-6).