Hemingford no match for Plainsmen

A lop-sided 42-7 homecoming win over Hemingford Friday set up a showdown that will likely determine the D1-11 district champion.

Friday night, the Plainsmen will travel to Sutherland to face the 3-3 Sailors. A win will earn the Plainsmen the district crown and an automatic berth in the D1 playoffs.

Plainsmen Head Coach  Tanner Collins said his squad understands the importance of Friday night’s game and what a win will mean to the program. 

Sutherland comes into the game at 3-3 with two of those three wins coming via forfeits by Kimball and Hemingford. 

On Friday, Sutherland defeated winless Elm Creek 64-6. 

The Plainsmen’s record now stands at 5-1 with Friday night’s victory over Hemingford. 

Their only loss came three weeks ago at Dundy County Stratton, the leader in wildcard points in D1. 

Game was in question

Fortunately, Hemingford had enough players to come to Grant Friday night. 

Going into the week, Collins and Activities Director Jeremy Struckman were unsure if Hemingford would field a team at Grant after their forfeit to Sutherland Sept. 24.

Fortunately, Hemingford got enough players healthy for Friday’s game to continue,  bringing 13 players to the contest. 

Three years ago, the tables were turned when Perkins County went to Hemingford with only 10 players. 

They lost one before the game even started in a 62-12 loss that ended at halftime.

This year, it was many of those same freshmen and sophomores who totally dominated the Hemingford Bobcats from the outset. 

    It took just three plays for the Plainsmen to hit pay dirt. 

Quarterback Triston Hite opened the series with a 22-yard run and finished it off with a 20-yard run less than a minute into the game.

After Hemingford fumbled the ball away on their first possession. 

Three plays later, Hite hit Hayden Foster on a slant pattern good for a 40-yard touchdown strike. 

On his second interception of the second quarter, the Plainsmen’s Casey Hanson returned it 23 yards for the score and a 20-0 lead.

On the Plainsmen’s next possession, Erik Snyder broke through the middle of the Bobcat defense for a 23-yard touchdown run. 

Hite added his first of three successful PAT kicks, making the score 27-0 with 10:54 left in the half. 

A bad punt snap by the Bobcats gave the Plainsmen the ball right back on the Bobcat 33. 

Six plays later, Hite took the ball across from the 1. 

His PAT kick extended the lead to 34-0 with 5:06 remaining. 

Hite intercepted a pass three plays later and returned it for a score. However, a penalty nullified the score. 

    He got the touchdown on the next play on a 27-yard keeper for a 41-0 lead to ensure a running clock in the second half. 

Hemingford tried to fake a punt at their own 20 but fell short. 

Two plays later, Hite’s final rushing score came on a 20-yard scamper. 

Hemingford’s only score of the game came in the third quarter, making the final  score 47-8.

Collins said his squad didn’t come out quite as sharp as he would have liked but tightened things as the first half went on. 

    He said there’s still some miscues that need to be fixed, mostly in schemes. But overall, he was pleased with how his Plainsmen played. 

In addition, every player on the Plainsmen lineup saw action. 

While the Plainsmen put up 47 points, they only ran 30 plays on the night, compared to 70 for the Bobcats. 

He praised his squad for avoiding any turnovers and forcing Hemingford in four turnovers.

Hite finished the night with four touchdowns, including three rushing touchdowns and the 40-yard TD pass. 

Plus, each of his kickoffs were touchbacks, eliminating the chance for any run backs. 

Friday’s match up at Sutherland will begin at 6 p.m. MT. 

To view full game stats, call the Tribune at 308-352-4311 or sign up for an e-edition by clicking here.