Holdrege, Neb. – The Dusters hosted Broken Bow for the season finale. The Indians won the game 17-15 after scoring a 20-yard field goal in the final minutes.
Facing 4th and long on their opening drive, Holdrege tried for a fake punt that was stopped about three yards short of the first down marker. The turnover on downs gave Broken Bow a very short field for their first drive to start. The Indians took eight plays to move 37 yards to score the game’s first touchdown. Sophomore Cash Kleeb scored from nine yards out.
The Dusters kept Broken Bow from scoring again in the first half, but they were unable to generate any points of their own. The half ended on a late drive from Holdrege that started on the Duster 33. Holdrege moved inside the 10 but ran out of time as the field goal unit raced to line up.
Down 7-0, Holdrege kicked the ball to Broken Bow to start the second half. The defense came out looking different. Led by senior Jacob Moon, Holdrege forced a three and out. However, the Dusters were still unable to get their offense going.
Two drives later, Holdrege had brilliant field position after a Broken Bow punt bounced backwards to the Indian 32 yard-line. Holdrege took advantage of the lucky roll and found the endzone seven plays later. Junior quarterback Lucas Johnson found Moon on a four-yard touchdown pass. Looking to tie the game, Holdrege lined up for the PAT. Junior Reed Schultz, the holder, saved a low snap and turned to run. He was able to find the goal line for an unplanned two point conversion.
Facing an 8-7 deficit, the Indians gained 69 yards on a pass to junior Adrian Gibbons that set Bow up at the 10. Sophomore Cooper White scored two plays later to give Broken Bow the lead.
The Dusters were able to take the lead back in the fourth quarter on a 10-play 62-yard drive. Johnson ran it in from the one, and Holdrege took a 15-14 lead with only minutes left.
After a big kick return placed the Indians on their own 41-yard line, Broken Bow went to the air. A series of penalties from Holdrege gave Bow a first down on couple of plays, including a pass interference call on fourth down. The Indians were able to get into field goal range, and freshman Blaze Behrens delivered a 20-yard strike to give Bow the 17-15 lead with less than two minutes.
Holdrege gave the ball back to Broken Bow on a Johnson interception. The Indians were able to kneel the ball to run the clock down.
Broken Bow ended their year at 3-6. As a team, they gained 102 yards on the ground and 87 passing yards.
The Dusters fell to 2-7 and outgained Bow with 107 rushing and 129 passing yards. Johnson completed eight passes with one touchdown. He also led Holdrege with 44 yards on 15 carries and a rushing touchdown. Jacob Moon had two catches for 39 yards and a score.
