The 68th Nebraska Shrine Bowl was a defensive effort that went to the South team 14-7 Saturday afternoon at UNK’s Ron and Carol Cope Stadium.
The defensive effort was highlighted early, with the first deep ball from the North team being easily intercepted by the South team and Skutt Catholic’s Nate Christensen in the end zone. Three minutes later, the South team would turn the turnover into a touchdown with a trick play. South QB Michael Knudsen (Gretna) passed the ball laterally to Markus Nelson (Norris), who then found Bryce Lakers (Gretna) for a 53yd strike.
Both teams would trade punts until late in the second quarter, when the South team would find the endzone again, with Derek Tonjes (Ashland-Greenwood) connecting with Canon Allen (Aurora) for the second time in four passes for a 34 yard touchdown. Both teams final drives in the first half were ended by sacks, as Rhodee Hill’s sack would end the North drive with a minute left in the second quarter. The first half ended with a sack from Marquise McIntyre-Dailey (Omaha North).
Much of the third quarter was trading punts, but the North team was able to string together a five minute drive that started in their own endzone, capped off by a 36 yard rushing touchdown from Boone Central’s Ethan Beachy.
In the fourth quarter, the North team had chance to tie the game after an interception by Papillion-LaVista’s Wyatt Jelinek, but a dropped pass in the end zone ended the drive. Another North drive in the final minutes ended with a fourth down stop.
Hershey’s Rhodee Hill of the South team was named Defensive MVP. He led both teams defensively with 14 tackles (2 TFL), a sack, and a quarterback hurry. Aurora’s Canon Allen was the Offensive MVP, with five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown for the South team.
7:13 Q1: Markus Nelson 53yd TD pass complete to Bryce Lakers (Ethan Nelson XP Good)
South 7-0
4:06 Q2: Derek Tonjes 34yd TD pass complete to Canon Allen (Ethan Nelson XP Good)
South 14-0
0:33 Q3: Ethan Beachy 36yd TD rush (Isaiah Wapelhorst XP Good)
South 14-7
Full Stats:
