After halftime, we did a much better job on both sides of the ball being the more physical team up front. We did a good job on defense getting several people to the ball and team tackling this week. I was pleased with our effort and response in the second half.”

Coach Shawn Burkart

Up Next

The LFL Lady Doggers play cross-county rival the Lady Cyclones at home on Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m. LFL hosts Niobrara County on Friday at 4 p.m. for Senior Night.

SARATOGA – The Southeast High School Cyclones football team scored a decisive 35-24 conference victory against the Saratoga Panthers at an away game on Friday, October 18.

Saratoga led by four points, 16-12, following a physical first half. The Cyclones defense shut out Saratoga in the third quarter while the Southeast offense drove in a touchdown and the Cyclones led, 20-16, as the final quarter began.

Saratoga responded with a touchdown early in the fourth and regained the lead, 24-20.

The Cyclones battled back with two touchdowns in the final 11 minutes of regulation to triumph against the Panthers.

“We came out in the first quarter and did some nice things on offense but struggled to string together defensive stops,” coach Shawn Burkart said. “We would have two to three good plays on defense and then miss an assignment or tackle to keep their drive going. After halftime, we did a much better job on both sides of the ball being the more physical team up front. We did a good job on defense getting several people to the ball and team tackling this week. I was pleased with our effort and response in the second half.”

Southeast is currently tied with Saratoga in 1A 9-man East seeding with a 3-2 conference record. Final seeding will be determined by several games this weekend, including Southeast versus Pine Bluffs on Friday, October 25.

A crucial win

Southeast opened the game with a touchdown on its first possession. Senior quarterback Ayden Desmond completed a series of passes to junior T.J. Moats, senior Ayden Shimic and senior Kannon Tippetts, advancing the ball deep into Saratoga’s territory.

A carry by senior Carter Blevins brought the Cyclones to the Panthers’ 22-yard line. Desmond wound up a pass to Moats in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown pass play and Southeast took the lead, 6-0.

The Cyclones defense shut down Saratoga on the Panther’s first possession, including tackles by seniors Emmett Coxbill, William Knowlton and Alec DeMarce.

Saratoga managed to reach the end zone and converted two extra points on its second possession in the first quarter to pull ahead, 8-6.

Southeast responded on its subsequent possession with a drive into the end zone. Desmond delivered a pass to Tippetts. Tippetts ran the ball across the goal line for the Cyclones’ second touchdown and Southeast led, 12-8.

Saratoga scored again in the beginning of the second quarter. Two extra points placed the Panthers up, 16-12.

The Cyclones defense stepped up the pressure on Saratoga’s final drive of the first half. Tackles from Moats, Coxbill, Blevins, Ayden Shimic and junior Liam Haas, along with pass coverage by Tippetts, forced the Panthers to punt.

The halftime score favored Saratoga, 16-12.

Saratoga began the second half in possession, although the Panthers offense found itself ground down by a tenacious Southeast defense. Haas, DeMarce, Coxbill, Moats, Ayden Shimic, Knowlton, Blevins and junior Chase Sauer each contributed tackles. A stop by Blevins caused the Panthers to drop the ball and Moats recovered the fumble.

Finding themselves in possession, the Cyclones steadily drove the ball down the field. Blevins took the handoff from Desmond and churned up 16 yards into the end zone for Southeast touchdown No. 3.

Desmond completed a pass to Moats, resulting in two extra points and placing the Cyclones up, 20-16.

Saratoga responded with a touchdown on its first drive in the fourth quarter to pull back into the lead, 24-20.

The Cyclones regained control of the scoreboard with two successful drives resulting in touchdowns over the remainder of the game.

On its first possession in the fourth quarter, Southeast steadily advanced 67 yards across the gridiron with carries by Blevins, Desmond and Tippetts. Desmond kept the ball and charged up the middle to score the Cyclones’ fourth touchdown. A pass to Moats resulted in two extra points and Southeast recaptured the lead, 28-24.

The Cyclones defense prevented Saratoga from scoring on the ensuing drive, including tackles from Knowlton, Coxbill, Moats and Haas. Saratoga attempted to pass. Desmond leapt up for the interception and possession returned to Southeast.

The Cyclones advanced to Saratoga’s one-yard line with carries by Blevins and a pass to Tippetts for a first down.

Blevins took the handoff and dove into the end zone for Southeast touchdown No. 5. A good kick by junior Beaux Shimic placed the Cyclones up, 35-24.

Saratoga’s subsequent drive ended with another interception by Desmond and Southeast wound down the game in possession.

The Cyclones totaled 220 yards rushing against Saratoga. Blevins set the pace with 154 yards on 29 carries. Tippetts tallied 42 yards rushing on four carries with 18 yards on eight carries from Desmond.

Desmond completed 10 of 14 passes for 151 yards. Moats caught six passes for 85 yards while Tippetts completed four passes for 57 yards. Ayden Shimic caught one pass for 11 yards.

Defensively, Sauer and Coxbill both recorded 10 tackles with eight apiece from Knowlton, DeMarce and Haas. Blevins and Moats both contributed six tackles with three for loss by Blevins and two from Moats.

Desmond intercepted two passes and Blevins recovered a Saratoga fumble for Southeast.