Wolves continue historic season with quarterfinal's win

ELKHORN — The Elkhorn North football sealed a spot in its first Class B State Semifinals after defeating Scottsbluff 35-16 in Friday’s quarterfinals.

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“This was a great win,” Elkhorn North senior Johnny Ferguson stated. “Coming into the game, we knew it was going to be a fist fight. We knew if we played a physical game, we could beat them.”

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Friday’s historic victory was four-years in the making. The Wolves went 1-8 in each of their first two seasons, before accumulating a 7-4 mark last year and a trip to the playoffs and quarterfinals for the first time in program history. This year, Elkhorn North sits at a program-best 10-1 and will play in the semis for the first time in program history.

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“We have put in a ton of work,” Ferguson commented. “In the offseason, we worked hard in the weight room and prepared for the season as much as we could. We had to earn it and put in the work. It stacked on top of each other.”

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The Wolves took quick control of the game, jumping out to a 21-0 lead after scoring on their first three drives.

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Jase Reynolds opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run.

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Reynolds then came up with a big play on special teams as the sophomore recovered a muffed punt at the Scottsbluff 9-yard line. Three plays later, Ferguson scored on a 1-yard TD run.

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Elkhorn North began the second quarter with a 10-play, 51-yard drive, which ended with a 2-yard scoring run by Jett Tingelhoff.

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“We had the confidence that we were going to score,” Ferguson spoke.

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Scottsbluff got into the scoring column to end the half with a 29-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-3 at the break.

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The Bearcats gained some of the momentum to open the third quarter after scoring on their first drive of the second half, a 2-yard touchdown run by Nate Kelley.

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Elkhorn North answered right back with a 26-yard scoring pass from Ferguson to Chase Loftin to go back ahead by 18.

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The Wolves put the contest firmly away to start the final stanza, as Ferguson found Reynolds for a 44-yard TD pass.

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Scottsbluff tallied the final score with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Kelley to Braxton Burford.

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Despite only outgaining Scottsbluff 261-248, the Wolves were up to the challenge of meeting, and exceeding, the physical play of the Bearcats. 

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Ferguson led the way for Elkhorn North offensively, going 10-for-13 passing for 140 yards and two scores, to go along with 35 yards rushing and a TD. Reynolds collected 74 yards of total offense and two TDs; Tingelhoff accumulated 89 yards of total offense and a touchdown and Loftin caught two passes for 29 yards and a score.

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“Early in the season, running the ball was our big thing,” Ferguson added. “Teams started to figure that out and were able to slow it down. Now that we have been able to open up the pass game, it’s going to be tougher on defenses having to guard two things.”

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Chris Thiessen guided the defense with 18 tackles. Barry Fries recorded 13 tackles, Nathan Kudma notched seven tackles, Austin Shirley and Reynolds each had six tackles, while Tingelhoff and Alex Uchtman each added five tackles.

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Elkhorn North will face a familiar foe in Bennington (11-0) in the state semifinals at Bennington on Friday at 7 p.m. The Wolves’ only loss this year and last year’s quarterfinal defeat came at the hands of the two-time defending Class B State Champion Badgers, who enter the semis on a 37-game winning streak.

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“It’s going to take hard work,” Ferguson concluded. “We have to put in the hours and the time and we can do it.”