For the first time in any of the players' high school careers, the South Loup Bobcat football team is headed to the playoffs. The last time the Bobcats qualified for playoff football was 2018, when this year's senior class we’re still in eighth grade.

The Bobcats finished the regular season on Friday with a blowout win over Anselmo Merna 48-14. Their four-game winning streak, and an overall record of 5-3 slots them as the number nine seed in D1 football.

Friday night the Bobcat offense showed up in full force and struck hard and struck often. The Bobcats were able to score the first touchdown in just four offensive plays, with 7:44 left in the first quarter. A two-point conversion by Trey Connell was good, to bring the score 8-0.

The Bobcat defense led by Clay Witthuhn and Rio Remund, forced the Coyotes to a fourth down situation, and stopped them giving the Bobcats back the ball just 90 seconds later. AJ Starr got the ball, and ran it in 46 yards for another Bobcat touchdown. The twopoint conversion by Connell is good, and the score is now 16-0.

Immediately following the kickoff return from Ethan Furne, Anselmo Merna fumbled the ball and the Bobcats took advantage with Connor Paulson scoring yet another touchdown to lead 22-0. Neither team scored the rest of the first quarter.

Continuing their dominance on the field, the Bobcats scored within four offensive plays again in the second quarter, to bring the score to 30-0. Connell brought in the touchdown, and his pass to Lance Jones for the two-point conversion was good.

The Bobcats held the Coyotes to a third-down, before stripping them of the ball. The Coyotes put up a good amount of defense during this drive, forcing the Bobcats to a fourth-down situation that they were unable to convert on.

The possession of the ball by the Coyotes was short-lived however as Jones, Remund, and Starr held the Coyotes for a loss of yards giving Connell the chance to run in a 50-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 36-0.

With 36 seconds left in the half, Connell ran another 50 yards for a Bobcat touchdown to begin the half with a score of 42-0.

A touchback to start the third quarter gave Starr the opportunity to run for 65 yards for another touchdown and their final score of the game, 48-0.

As the younger Bobcats hit the field, Dylan Pandorf and Dawson Mason took the lead on offense. The defense, led by Lance Wooters, Kaden Paulsen, Crew Witthuhn, and Harper Johnson held the Coyotes to a single score during the third quarter and a single score in the fourth quarter.

Connell led the Bobcats with 156 yards rushing, followed by Starr with 130 yards. Furne had eight kickoff returns throughout the game.

The Bobcats will travel to Kennesaw on Thursday for the first round of playoffs. Kennesaw was the 2021 champions, but are ranked eighth this year.

The time of the game will be announced this week. Watch the school’s Facebook page for more information.

Editor’s note: The statistical reporting service used by the Bobcats has been providing incorrect defensive stats this season. We are working with the team to get corrected information.