The Hanover Wildcats after falling short of a State title game three of the past four years in the Sub-State game, the Wildcats surpassed that hurdle and faced Central Plains in the 8-Man Division I Championship on Saturday in Newton.

Wildcats would have their opportunities throughout the competition but ultimately could never get over the hump in the game trailing the entire way outside of a tie early in the contest. The two teams traded scores basically throughout the competition but the Oilers of Central Plains struck first with a 29-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Cody Rengstorf had the answer for Hanover catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Bruna but the two-point conversion failed and it was 8-6 early.

In the second quarter, Central Plains notched a pair of touchdowns through the air, while Hanover scored in between those tallies with a Bruna touchdown run. At the half it was 22-14 Central Plains on top and they added to that lead in the third quarter scoring first, but a 22-yard pass from Bruna to Evan Zabokrtsky drew Hanover close again. After another touchdown was put on the board early in the fourth quarter by Central Plains as they held off Hanover, until the Wildcats drew within six with a touchdown pass from Bruna to Hunter Nicholson with a little over a minute to go. Ultimately, Central Plains put the final nail in the coffin with another score late on 45-yard run, to gain the 42-30 win.

Both teams finished with similar numbers but the three to one turnover ratio against Hanover hurt them in the contest ultimately as they posted 112 yards on the ground and 231 in the air, but Central Plains countered with 192 yards on the ground and 260 through the air. Bruna finished the day for Hanover with 87 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown and was 19-34 for 231 yards and three touchdowns, but three interceptions, also. Zabokrtsky led the Wildcats receiving core with seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

The win gave Central Plains their first ever State title and a 13-0 record on the year, while the loss ended Hanover's season with a 12-1 record and their best football finish since 2009 when they won the 8-Man DII State title.