Wolves surge past rival Antlers to advance

ELKHORN — For the first time in their young rivalry, the Battle of Elkhorn on the gridiron took place in the postseason as Elkhorn North faced Elkhorn High in the opening round of the Class B State Tournament Friday. A 10-point run in the fourth quarter fueled the Wolves to a 31-21 win over the Antlers.

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“It’s always great to defeat a gritty and tough opponent like that,” Elkhorn North sophomore Jase Reynolds commented. “Coach (Sam Stanley) has talked about finishing all year and that really matters in the playoffs.”

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Elkhorn North struck first in just two offensive plays as Jett Tingelhoff broke free for a 77-yard touchdown scamper.

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On the ensuing kickoff, Andrew Salvatore returned the ball to the Elkhorn North 12-yard line. Four plays later, Kayd Matthews leaped into the end zone for a 4-yard score to knot the game at seven.

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The back-and-forth continued into the second quarter. Johnny Ferguson put the Wolves back ahead with a 1-yard TD plunge. On Elkhorn High’s next play, Matthews went 70 yards to the house to once again tie the game.

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After an Elkhorn North three-and-out, the Antlers looked poised to claim their first lead with the ball in the Wolf red zone. Reynolds made a huge play, intercepting the pass to end the Elkhorn High scoring threat.

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“It was great to finally get the pick I’ve been looking for,” Reynolds recalled. “It feels great to help the team succeed.” 

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Five plays later, Ferguson recaptured the lead for the Wolves with a 57-yard scoring run. 

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Reynolds and Sam Leinen  each picked off passes from the opposing quarterback to end the half with Elkhorn North ahead 21-14.

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The Antlers refused to go away and once again made another big play to draw even. On Elkhorn North’s opening possession of the second half, the Wolves were just outside the Elkhorn High red zone. Salvatore jumped the pass from Ferguson and recorded the interception. The senior defensive back went 67 yards to the end zone to knot the game at 21.

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After Salvatore’s big defensive play in the third, the Wolf defense caused a massive turnover to spark their offense. The Elkhorn North defense punched the ball free and Cole Daubert pounced on the loose ball to give the Wolves the possession.

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“The first couple years this school was open, the football team went through some mud and hard times,” Reynolds stated. “That really built some resiliency for this team and that allows us to battle through those hard times.”

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Elkhorn North cashed in on the turnover, as Chase Loftin booted through a 35-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter.

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The Wolves iced the game with an 11-play 82-yard drive that chewed up five minutes of play. Facing a fourth-and-10, Ferguson went to one of his favorite targets and found Tommy Meckna for a 23-yard touchdown to seal the win and a spot in the state quarterfinals.

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Ferguson led the Wolf offense with 128 yards passing and a score, to go along with 122 yards and two TDs on the  ground. Tingelhoff ran for 147 yards and a touchdown; Meckna caught five passes for 63 yards and a score and Loftin added four receptions for 53 yards.

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Reynolds paced the defense with two interceptions, five tackles and a tackle for loss. Barry Fries recorded 10 tackles; Chris Thiessen tallied six tackles; Sam Thomas had three tackles and a tackle for loss and Daubert recovered a fumble.

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Matthews guided the Elkhorn High offense with 95 yards rushing and two touchdowns, to go along with 58 yards passing. Jayden Moody ran for 45 yards; Charlie Lamski caught two passes for 35 yards; Salvatore collected three receptions for 20 yards and Audric Bermel added a 20-yard run.

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Salvatore and Leinen each picked off a pass to lead the Antler defense.

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Elkhorn High ends its season with a 4-6 record.

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Elkhorn North (9-1) hosts Scottsbluff Friday in the Class B Quarterfinals. A win would send the Wolves to their first-ever state semifinals in program history.

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“Scottsbluff is a good team,” Reynolds concluded. “They are physical, have some good athletes and a good running game. We have to have a solid week of practice, come out here and play hard again.”