The South Loup football team may have suffered a season-ending loss by a score of 12-40 on Friday to Howells-Dodge, the top ranked team in D2 football in the state; but they did it in true Bobcat fashion - with strong defense, top-notch running, and that unbreakable spirit fans have helped foster this season.

The Bobcats may not have picked up a W and advanced to the quarter-finals, but they showed up and held their own against the Jaguars. No other team this season has held them to 40 points or less, and the Bobcats did that easily. Only two other teams held Howells-Dodge to fewer rushing yards this season (and the difference was a few yards both games). And no other team traveled more than three hours to do it, either.

The first quarter was a tough one for the Bobcats on both defense and offense. The Jaguars took home field advantage to score 18 unanswered points and hold the Bobcats to three possessions.

By the second quarter, the Bobcats found their footing and after a long first possession, Trey Connell found the endzone for six points. The Jaguars responded quickly by putting eight more points on the board, and the score was 6-26 at the end of the half.

Coming back after the break, the Bobcats took their time in setting things up and after a seven-minute possession, Connell again found the endzone to score six more. With the Bobcats monopolizing the clock, the Jaguars were unable to put together a scoring drive and the third quarter ended 12-26.

The Jaguars wasted no time in the fourth quarter finding the uprights and scored less than a minute into the fourth quarter. A Bobcat fumble on the next play led to a Jaguar touchdown and the final score of 12-40.

The Bobcat defense had a strong game. Connell had 11 tackles, followed by Lance Jones with 8 and Joey Sallach with 7. Clay Witthuhn and Rio Remund teamed up for a tackle for a loss. The defense also held Howells-Dodge to just one of three fourth-down conversions.

Connell was the offensive leader with 54 passing yards and 57 rushing yards, followed by Conner Paulsen with 37 rushing yards. Cache Gracey had 45 yards receiving and four kick returns for 58 yards.

“We showed that we could play with the best team in the state and I am so proud of these boys,” said Head Coach Mat Jageler. “ All season, our goal was to get better each week, and we did that, every game. You can’t ask for anything more.”

Watch next week for a full-season recap with stats and reactions from players and coaches.