Bayard pulls away from Plainsmen

Trailing by 21 early in the second quarter, some teams may have just checked out. 

But that’s not the character of Jonathan Hunt’s Plainsmen football team. 

The Plainsmen fought their way back several times in the first half and found themselves within a touchdown with 2:03 left in the half. 

After falling behind 14-0 in the first eight minutes of the first quarter, the Plainsmen answered.

Alex Patrick broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown run, his first of three of the night, to pull the Plainsmen within a touchdown and two-point conversion, 14-6.

Bayard used the airways all night, picking up 223 yards,  and set up their third score with a 13-yard strike to go back up 20-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Plainsmen answered with a solid drive that ended at the Bayard 31 with a fumble. Five plays later, they went up 27-6.

Hunt said the Plainsmen responded big time.

Quarterback Triston Hite hit Patrick for a 32-yard gain. Four plays later, Patrick went in from the eight with 6:01 left in the half. A failed conversion made the score 27-12.

On Bayard’s next possession, the Plainsmen stopped a fourth-down conversion try short at the Bayard 35. 

The Plainsmen began grinding it out on the ground and then went to the air, drawing a pass interference call. 

That moved the ball to the Bayard 6 and Patrick needed just one carry to pull the Plainsmen back with seven, 27-20, after a successful conversion.

Jeb Kohl turned the Plainsmen’s fortunes with an interception at the Plainsmen 38.

However, the Plainsmen went three-and-out but tried a fake punt for the first down. Hite hit Patrick but he was pushed out of bounds three yards short of the first down. 

Bayard took over with just 53 seconds left in the half. They went right to air for a 32-yard gain. With 9.5 seconds left in the half, they hit another 11-yard pass for the touchdown to reopen a 34-20 lead. 

Hunt said not making the first down and having Bayard score right before half proved to be pivotal points in the game. 

The Plainsmen could not put up any points in the second half, falling 48-20.

Hunt said the Plainsmen put forth a good effort all night and never gave up. 

He said the Plainsmen had people in position to make plays but the size difference of his younger players was a big factor. 

The important thing, Hunt said, is that this bunch of kids buys into the scheme and philosophy they are trying to create as a coaching staff. 

The experience his younger players are getting this year will be invaluable in moving the program forward.

Hemingford Friday

The Plainsmen will close out the season this Friday at Hemingford.

Hunt said he expects Hemingford to run it right at the Plainsmen, challenging them to stop them.

He noted Hemingford will likely make the D1 playoffs so it will be good experience facing a team of that caliber.