The South Loup Bobcats football team took very little time on Thursday to show their fans just how they are going to play this season - score first, score fast, and score often - and mop the field with their opponents.

A complete turnaround from last season’s opening game, the Bobcats did not forget last year’s loss to Elm Creek and made sure the Buffaloes knew they came with claws out, ready to dominate. The Bobcats strutted away with a 48-21 victory.

Kickoff was delayed by 45 minutes to allow the extreme heat to pass and hopefully prevent any heat-related illness and injuries from plaguing the teams.

Continuing on the momentum they had last season, the Bobcat offense just kept finding their mark in the end zone with senior Trey Connell scoring five of the six touchdowns for the team. Junior Ethan Furne scored the first six points of the game in the first five minutes, with the two-point conversion good.

The Buffaloes attempted to keep up with the Bobcats, scoring their first touchdown about 60 seconds later, but the speed of Connell after the very next kickoff return was no match for them. Another six points were added to the scoreboard.

The Bobcat defense, led by Conner Paulsen with one interception, stopped the Buffaloes on the next play, and Connell ran the ball into the endzone for six more points. By the end of the first quarter, it was all Bobcat Blue, with a score of 20-8.

Using their first possession, Connell ran the pigskin to the end zone for another six points in the first 40 seconds of the second quarter. The Bobcats added one more to bring the score to 28-8.

The Elm Creek defense held the Bobcats to that only scoring drive in the second quarter, ending the first half of play with a score of 28-8.

But halftime seemed to energize the Bobcats, with Connell finding the end zone three more times during the third quarter. The Bobcat defense stopped Elm Creek from getting into scoring position for the majority of the quarter, staying on top 4814.

Come the fourth quarter, Coach Jageler cleared his bench, allowing underclassmen to get some playing time. The younger defense still held the Buffaloes to just one score during the fourth quarter but gained some valuable varsity playing time.

The Buffaloes are coached this season by 2018 Arnold graduate, Blake Schwarz. Blake’s dad Andy Schwarz is one of the assistant coaches for South Loup.

During the team introductions before the game, the Bobcat announcer made sure to give a big South Loup Bobcat welcome to Blake, and many of their family were in the crowd to cheer on both Schwarz men.

“It was a pretty emotional time for me,” said Blake. “I’m very proud to come from South Loup and being back home to make my head coaching debut seemed surreal.”

The Bobcats are on the road this week, visiting Hayes Center on Friday to take on the Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

Game stats

Paxton Bierman - 2 tackles; 1 kickoff return; 13 kickoff yards.

Trey Connell - 15 passing yards; 137 rushing yards; 4 receiving yards; 7 tackles; 30 points; 5 touchdowns.

Elijah Cool - 1 tackle. Ethan Furne - 8 yards rushing; 6 tackles; 3 kickoff returns; 129 kickoff yards; 6 points; 1 touchdown.

Cache Gracey - 15 rushing yards; 15 receiving yards; 3 tackles; 2 points; 1 PAT. Harper Johnson - 7 tackles. Dawson Mason - 1 tackle. Dylan Pandorf - 4 passing yards; 30 rushing yards; 4 tackles. Conner Paulsen - 88 rushing yards; 9 tackles; 1 interception; 2 points; 1 PAT. Rio Remund - 7 tackles; 2 caused fumbles. Joey Sallach - 2 tackles; 1 fumble recovery. Wacey Schultz - 1 tackle. AJ Starr - 11 rushing yards; 5 tackles; 2 points; 1 PAT. Jamie Tickle - 4 tackles.