Seward quarterback Joseph Krause eludes the Norris defense during second-half action Sept. 8. Seward defeated Norris 34-14.
Seward continued its aerial assault on the 2017 season Sept. 8, gaining 256 yards through the air en route to a 34-14 home win over Norris.
“It was a great win. I’m proud of the guys,” Coach Jamie Opfer said.
After a disappointing loss at Waverly last week, he said, the team responded well.
“They played with energy and enthusiasm, with purpose and passion, and that was the difference in the game,” Opfer said.
The Jays got on the board first, thanks to a 45-yard touchdown pass from Joseph Krause to Connor Ruth with 6:36 to play in the first. Krause connected with Carson Core on 10-11’s Play of the Week for the second score, a 21-yard strike with 1:17 left in the quarter.
Krause kept the ball on the ground for Seward’s third touchdown, carrying the final yard of the drive with 7:31 to play in the second quarter. Cayden Glandt kicked the point after on all three.
Norris finally got on the board with a nine-yard run at the 2:47 mark to make the score at halftime 21-7.
Ruth added a two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and Davon Brees scored on a five-yard run in the fourth. Norris added a 10-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Opfer thought the game’s turning point was a fourth-down stop by the Bluejay defense in the second quarter. He said the defense played well against Norris’s methodical offense.
“They pound the ball and are good at it,” he said.
Krause continues to throw the ball well, completing 22 of 41 pass attempts for 256 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
But that doesn’t mean the Jays have abandoned the running game. SHS picked up 120 yards on 33 carries against Norris. The team is throwing more because “we happen to be able to do it,” Opfer said.
Core was the leading receiver against Norris, catching six passes for 53 yards. Brett Meyer caught four for 54 yards, and Ruth caught three for 61 yards.
“It takes purposeful thought and preparation to get your mindset in the right spot,” Opfer said. “Our mentality is we want to dominate the line of scrimmage, be more physical and play harder. I felt that happened this week.”
Josh Sagehorn led the defense with seven solo tackles, four assists and an interception.
Up next is Seward’s (2-1) homecoming game against Schuyler Friday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. Opfer said the Warriors, who have lost to York, Hastings and Platteview, run a lot of option. They also have some good players that Seward shouldn’t overlook.
“If we do what we need to, we’ll come out good,” he said.
