Seward holds off Pride to advance in Class B bracket

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The football adage that every point matters was proved true Oct. 29 when Seward defeated Omaha Roncalli 21-19.

“You can’t take anything for granted,” SHS Coach Jamie Opfer said.

Roncalli missed a point-after kick in the third quarter that would have tied the score at 14-14. That meant the Crimson Pride had to go for two to tie when it scored late in the fourth quarter. That conversion try fell short, as well.

“We have a knack for winning close games,” Opfer said. “Credit to the kids – they continue to compete and play hard.”

Seward opened the scoring with a five-yard run by Nolan Hill in the first quarter. Parker Hammond’s kick gave the Jays a 7-0 lead.

Roncalli responded with a one-yard touchdown run and PAT to tie the score at 7-7 after the first quarter.

Trevor Ruth scored for the Jays on a two-yard run in the second quarter. Hammond’s kick gave SHS a 14-7 halftime lead.

Roncalli scored first in the second half on a 12-yard run and missed the PAT for a 14-13 score.

Gavin Sukup carried the final yard for Seward, and Hammond added another PAT for a 21-13 Bluejay lead.

Roncalli scored on a 10-yard pass with less than a minute to play in the game and went for two, missing the conversion.

Seward recovered the onside kick and went into the victory formation to end the game.

Opfer said the Jays had to limit Roncalli’s big-play capabilities, and the defensive backs stepped up. He said the scheme Coach Wade Miller, the defensive coordinator, drew up worked well.

Up next for the Jays (8-2) is a trip to No. 4 seeded Elkhorn Friday, Nov. 5. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

“We have to have a hard-hat mentality,” Opfer said. “Elkhorn is a physically dominating team. It will be a challenge to stop the run. It’s easier said than done.”

The Jays should be healthy going into the game, he said.