Nov 15

Written by: ngreditor
11/15/2008 1:15 PM 

Seniors Jordan Nelson, Clint Leifeld, and Tanner Krueger shaking hands.

Jays lose in 2nd round of playoffs

The Newman Grove Bluejay Football team traveled to Axtell on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, for the second round of playoffs in Class D-1 8man. Both Newman Grove and Axtell advanced to the to the second round after winning their opening rounds on October 30.

It was a good high school football game witnessed by good followings from both communities, other schools in the area, and other interested people. The game was carried live on radio stations from Kearney and Holdredge as well as the internet broadcast.

Axtell held off Newman Grove to post a 28-20 win and move on to the quarter final round on Monday, November 10, when the Wildcats travel to Clearwater- Orchard.

Jordan Nelson #15 and Ben Jacobson #33 in a moment of exuberance.

Axtell got on the scoreboard first to take a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter the Jays got the scoreboard with a 12 play, 64 yard drive to cut the margin 6-7. The Wildcats returned the kickoff back to lengthen the lead to 14-6. Just before the half Derek Stone blocked an Axtell punt to set up a Jays touchdown and two point conversion to tie the game 14 all going into halftime.

Axtell got the only score in the third quarter to take back the lead 21-14. The Bluejays scored in the fourth quarter to cut the margin to 20-21, missing the extra point.

After a pass interception by the Bluejays, losing possession on a fumble, the Wildcats scored to make it 28-20. Newman Grove then marched to Axtell’s 11 yard line with a first down and one time out remaining with one minute nine seconds to go, the Jays fumbled and Axtell recovered. The Wildcats ran out the clock ending the Jays season.

Sheldon Boschen.

The Bluejays had gone seven quarters without a turnover (four quarters at Eustis-Farnam and first three at Axtell), but what had been a strong point hurt the efforts in the fourth quarter.

Seniors playing their last football game included Luke Gasper, Tanner Krueger, Tyler Zoucha, Chris Harris, Jared Rasmussen, Clint Leifeld, Jordan Nelson, Travis McCloud, Jordan Fowlkes and Darrek Schmidt.

The football season ends with a fine 6 win 4 loss record.

The Bluejay football team, managers, and coaches would like to thank Newman Grove School, Community, cheerleaders, trainer Kim Ranslem, stat keepers, video people and all others for helping to make this a memorable season.