Elkhorn runs its way to win over LSE
With rushing leader Dane Eccles slowed by an injury last week, Elkhorn coach Mark Wortman decided to turn to fullback Ryan Hawley.
On the first play of the game, it appeared that plan would have to be scrapped when Hawley was dazed after a 4-yard gain.
But the senior came back to help Elkhorn capitalize on its running game for a 41-13 victory over Lincoln Southeast on Thursday at Seacrest Field before a crowd of 2,222.
“I asked the trainer if he had a concussion and he told me Ryan got knocked lulu but he was fine and answered all the questions the trainers ask to determine how they are,” said Wortman. “He’s a fullback, but he came in and played tailback very well.
“Our offensive line does a very job. The way our offense is running with power running backs and some good tailbacks. That’s right in our wheelhouse.”
The fourth-ranked Antlers proved that with 331 yards rushing on 50 carries. Hawley led the way with 80 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.
Elkhorn scored on four of its five first-half possessions; the last one was a one-play kneel-down by quarterback Jordan Poehling to end the half with Elkhorn leading 27-13.
Two more scores on their first two possessions of the second half were all the Antlers would need.
Poehling hit Adam Stark with a 30-yard scoring pass on fourth down to put the Antlers on the board. After the defense held, Elkhorn marched 73 yards in nine plays, with Hawley racing 13 yards around the left end for the score.
Jake Long recovered a Southeast fumble just before the end of the quarter, and Elkhorn struck quickly when Poehling found Stark in the corner of the end zone on the first play for a 25-yard touchdown and a 20-0 lead.
Southeast responded with an eight-play scoring drive. Jacob Salomons capped the march with a 22-yard burst up the right side.
The Knights twice had Elkhorn on the ropes on its next possession. But on fourth-and-1 at midfield, Hawley pounded his way for a first down. The Antlers called on him again on fourth-and-1 at the Southeast 20-yard line and he responded. Two plays later, Hawley scored on a 6-yard run.
“We were going for it all the way. There wasn’t much hesitation. You have to see how the game goes, but on fourth-and-1 or 11/2, we usually go for it,” said Wortman. “That’s our offense. If we can’t get a yard or a yard and a half, we’re going to be in trouble anyway.”
Again, though, the Knights responded. Quarterback Connor Smith connected with Jeff Sheets for a 9-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 27-13 at halftime.
“At halftime, I’m a little befuddled because they’re running isos and we’re overpursuing and they’re cutting back,” he said. “They threw some slant-in passes and they had their offense going. We were concerned at half.
“Second half, they get a first down after we jumped offsides, but then we held them and went down and scored. I felt a lot better right then.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
On the first play of the game, it appeared that plan would have to be scrapped when Hawley was dazed after a 4-yard gain.
But the senior came back to help Elkhorn capitalize on its running game for a 41-13 victory over Lincoln Southeast on Thursday at Seacrest Field before a crowd of 2,222.
“I asked the trainer if he had a concussion and he told me Ryan got knocked lulu but he was fine and answered all the questions the trainers ask to determine how they are,” said Wortman. “He’s a fullback, but he came in and played tailback very well.
“Our offensive line does a very job. The way our offense is running with power running backs and some good tailbacks. That’s right in our wheelhouse.”
The fourth-ranked Antlers proved that with 331 yards rushing on 50 carries. Hawley led the way with 80 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.
Elkhorn scored on four of its five first-half possessions; the last one was a one-play kneel-down by quarterback Jordan Poehling to end the half with Elkhorn leading 27-13.
Two more scores on their first two possessions of the second half were all the Antlers would need.
Poehling hit Adam Stark with a 30-yard scoring pass on fourth down to put the Antlers on the board. After the defense held, Elkhorn marched 73 yards in nine plays, with Hawley racing 13 yards around the left end for the score.
Jake Long recovered a Southeast fumble just before the end of the quarter, and Elkhorn struck quickly when Poehling found Stark in the corner of the end zone on the first play for a 25-yard touchdown and a 20-0 lead.
Southeast responded with an eight-play scoring drive. Jacob Salomons capped the march with a 22-yard burst up the right side.
The Knights twice had Elkhorn on the ropes on its next possession. But on fourth-and-1 at midfield, Hawley pounded his way for a first down. The Antlers called on him again on fourth-and-1 at the Southeast 20-yard line and he responded. Two plays later, Hawley scored on a 6-yard run.
“We were going for it all the way. There wasn’t much hesitation. You have to see how the game goes, but on fourth-and-1 or 11/2, we usually go for it,” said Wortman. “That’s our offense. If we can’t get a yard or a yard and a half, we’re going to be in trouble anyway.”
Again, though, the Knights responded. Quarterback Connor Smith connected with Jeff Sheets for a 9-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 27-13 at halftime.
“At halftime, I’m a little befuddled because they’re running isos and we’re overpursuing and they’re cutting back,” he said. “They threw some slant-in passes and they had their offense going. We were concerned at half.
“Second half, they get a first down after we jumped offsides, but then we held them and went down and scored. I felt a lot better right then.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
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