North Platte snapped a seven-year losing streak against East Buchanan on Friday, Oct. 18.
After falling behind early, the Panthers rolled to a 39-20 victory at home in a KCI Conference clash.
The win is only the second this decade against East Buchanan, which fell to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in KCI.
North Platte’s Andrew Hernandez ran for 263 yards and four touchdowns in the victory, while Caine Huffman added 168 yards on the ground.
The Panthers (2-6, 2-4) finished with 472 yards on the ground and passed only seven times.
“I think the key was playing together,” North Platte coach Reis Wright said. “Our offensive line was moving people and our wide receivers were blocking down field. We also had huge, timely catches. Our defense played well. That team is lightning in a bottle and we had to tackle well.”
Ty French gave North Platte a 6-0 lead with a 10-yard touchdown run on the first possession and Caine Huffman’s point after attempt made it 7-0.
East Buchanan took the lead on Tucker White’s touchdown run and conversion, making it 8-7.
BREANNA CHEADLE/Special to the Citizen
East Buchanan’s Blake Antle (5) and North Platte’s Ty French (10) each jump for an errant pass during a game on Friday, Oct. 18 at Dearborn. The Panthers won the game 39-20 to secure the second win of the season.
That was the only time the Panthers trailed.
After trading interception, North Platte’s Joel Smyser got the ball and that led to a 17-yard touchdown run by Hernandez. He later added a 1-yard touchdown run after an East Buchanan punt to make it 21-8.
East Buchanan pulled within 21-14 at the break after a 10-yard touchdown run by White.
Hernandez scored on the first two possessions of the third quarter, expanding the lead to 33-14.
White’s final touchdown made it 33-20 in the fourth, but Huffman’s 1-yard touchdown run accounted for the final score.
French had nine tackles. Zach Beatty had seven tackles and four pass breakups.
Up Next
The Panthers will try to end another seven-year losing streak this week, playing at Hamilton on Friday, Oct. 25.
North Platte hasn’t won against the Hornets of J.C. Penney High School since they joined KCI Conference in 2012. Last year was a close call, with Hamilton winning 26-24.
Hamilton is 4-4, tied for the most losses this decade. The other two times the Hornets lost four they made the state semifinal or title game.
“They look good,” Wright said. “They have a good offensive and defensive line. We need to make sure we are finishing blocks and keep them off balance. We need to tackle better. The line will get to the second level and their running back, Sawyer (Morrow) is an all-state running back.”
The game has some extra meaning as the Panthers are No. 5 in the district standings. If the Panthers can beat Hamilton, they could possibly jump East Buchanan but the two would likely end up playing each other next week regardless of the seeding.