Plainsmen fall to Sailors

Jonathan Hunt’s Perkins County Plainsmen didn’t back down from a much larger and faster Sutherland team in District D1-10 action Friday night. 

The Plainsmen came back in the second half to put 24 points on the board after trailing 40-0 at halftime. The Plainsmen held Sutherland to two second-half touchdowns in the 24-54 loss. 

The Plainsmen fell to 1-5 while Sutherland went to 4-2. 

Despite a loss at Kimball the week before, Hunt said the game did wonders for many of his younger players. It gave them the confidence to know they can compete, despite size or experience, he noted. 

They learned if “you do what you’re supposed to, and do it right, good things happen,” Hunt added.

He said Sutherland was a team determined to run the ball right at the Plainsmen with the Floyd brothers—Bennett and Connor.

Hunt said they had people in gaps and in position but just couldn’t finish the plays. He noted the Floyd brothers are both outstanding athletes. 

Offensively, tailback Alex Patrick was pressed into the quarterback role this week. Hunt held freshman quarterback Triston Hite out this week after a hit he took at Kimball. 

Jaxon Livermore went to tailback with Brandon Knolls and Shawn Lyon alternating at fullback. Livermore broke loose down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown for the Plainsmen’s first score. 

 At fullback, Knolls’ 200-lb stature helped him open some holes as well as run over some people with the ball. 

Hunt said Knolls will likely start there Friday when the Plainsmen play host to Bayard.

Plus, he said they expect to get Hite back this week which will put Patrick back at tailback. 

That position offers him more opportunities to get outside and make big plays, Hunt said. 

Nonetheless, the Plainsmen still have little depth going into Friday. Hunt expects 10 players will suit up. 

Bayard comes into the game with a 2-4 mark. Hunt said they like to spread the field out and throw the ball. Their favorite wide receiver stands 6-3 at 220 lbs. 

Friday’s game at Haenfler field begins at 7 p.m., and will feature Parent’s Night for football, golf and cross country.