It was a tough battle for the Centennial football team, and the Broncos saw their quest for a homecoming victory fall short Sept. 1.
CHS hosted Tekamah-Herman and lost 8-6. THHS scored on a 66-yard pass play in the first quarter and added the two-point conversion.
Centennial got its answer in the third quarter on a nine-yard run by freshman Owen Naber. The two-point conversion run failed.
The Broncos had a drive going in the fourth quarter, but with about three minutes to play, CHS fumbled the ball and THHS recovered it. The Tigers were able to run out the clock and preserve the win.
Coach Evan Klanecky said the Broncos took some steps forward this week, which he was happy to see.
“We had less assignment errors and pursued the ball better,” he said. “We did some good things. We made mistakes in timely spots.”
He said the offense was able to open up the playbook a little more than in week one.
Centennial outgained Tekamah-Herman 114-23 on the ground but had trouble sustaining drives, Klanecky said.
He said CHS did bailout THHS a couple times on third-and-long plays.
“We have to get off the field,” he said.
He said the loss was a heartbreaking one for him because the coaches had been hard on the team after the loss to North Bend. The team responded with a better week of practice but just couldn’t get the win.
Junior quarterback Sam Ehlers played well for the Broncos, completing eight of 15 passes for 64 yards. Senior Bryson Hornbacher played his first game at center and had a good outing, Klanecky said.
Jordan Wagner had a good game on defense, finishing with one solo tackle and six assists. He also averaged 37 yards on five punts.
Naber, a freshman, started on both sides of the ball and on defense is going up against athletes stronger than he is, Klanecky said.
Trevor Fehlhafer, a defensive end, was the scout team player of the week.
The Broncos (0-2) travel to Fillmore Central Friday, Sept. 8. FCHS (2-0) is coming off a 30-0 win over Milford.
The Panthers are primarily a running team that plays a smash-mouth style of football.
“They will pose problems based on their physicality and strength,” Klanecky said.
