Auburn built a 21-7 second half lead, then withstood a furious late game rally to top Nebraska City, 21-19, at Pioneer Field on Friday night in the season opener for both squads.
Spencer Radke’s 26-yard run set up the Pioneers’ first score of the game during first quarter action. Taylor Smith ended up scoring the touchdown on a three-yard run.
The Pioneers appeared to be driving toward their second score early in the second quarter, but turned the ball over on downs deep in Auburn territory.
Moments later, Auburn’s Alex Gonsalves got loose on an 89-yard scoring run that tied the game.
Both teams missed other chances to score during the first two quarters and the game went to halftime tied at 7-7.
Auburn broke the tie by converting on a Nebraska City miscue in the early third quarter.
An interception set up a short drive and and another scoring run by Gonsalves had Auburn ahead 14-7.
A disputable fumble call against Nebraska City led to the next Auburn score.
Auburn quarterback Robert Georges threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Nebraska City’s Max Ritchie.
Officials ruled that Auburn’s Calvin Bishop stripped the ball before Ritchie’s knee touched the ground. Bishop recovered that fumble and, on the next play from scrimmage, rushed into the end zone from 37 yards out to make the count 21-7.
Nebraska City drew within one score by stitching together a late third quarter drive that bled into the fourth quarter. Smith capped the 10-play and 65-yard scoring march by posting a touchdown on a three-yard run.
The point after kick was blocked, however, and the score stood at 21-13.
Two big passes gave the Nebraska City team a touchdown and a chance to tie the ball game.
John Wurtele hit Josh Conner on a 35-yard pass and later followed that with a 24-yard scoring pass to Ritchie that made the score 21-19 with a little over a minute remaining.
A two-point attempt failed, however, and the score remained 21-19.
Still with two timeouts, Nebraska City chose to kick deep and play defense.
Auburn posted a first down on two plays, however, and ran out the clock to preserve its two-point win.
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Auburn built a 21-7 second half lead, then withstood a furious late game rally to top Nebraska City, 21-19, at Pioneer Field on Friday night in the season opener for both squads.
Spencer Radke’s 26-yard run set up the Pioneers’ first score of the game during first quarter action. Taylor Smith ended up scoring the touchdown on a three-yard run.
The Pioneers appeared to be driving toward their second score early in the second quarter, but turned the ball over on downs deep in Auburn territory.
Moments later, Auburn’s Alex Gonsalves got loose on an 89-yard scoring run that tied the game.
Both teams missed other chances to score during the first two quarters and the game went to halftime tied at 7-7.
Auburn broke the tie by converting on a Nebraska City miscue in the early third quarter.
An interception set up a short drive and and another scoring run by Gonsalves had Auburn ahead 14-7.
A disputable fumble call against Nebraska City led to the next Auburn score.
Auburn quarterback Robert Georges threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Nebraska City’s Max Ritchie.
Officials ruled that Auburn’s Calvin Bishop stripped the ball before Ritchie’s knee touched the ground. Bishop recovered that fumble and, on the next play from scrimmage, rushed into the end zone from 37 yards out to make the count 21-7.
Nebraska City drew within one score by stitching together a late third quarter drive that bled into the fourth quarter. Smith capped the 10-play and 65-yard scoring march by posting a touchdown on a three-yard run.
The point after kick was blocked, however, and the score stood at 21-13.
Two big passes gave the Nebraska City team a touchdown and a chance to tie the ball game.
John Wurtele hit Josh Conner on a 35-yard pass and later followed that with a 24-yard scoring pass to Ritchie that made the score 21-19 with a little over a minute remaining.
A two-point attempt failed, however, and the score remained 21-19.
Still with two timeouts, Nebraska City chose to kick deep and play defense.
Auburn posted a first down on two plays, however, and ran out the clock to preserve its two-point win.
