Nemaha Central 43, Holton 42

In a game that featured 85 points and 950 total yards, the Thunder got the final score with 37 seconds remaining and then coverted a two-point-conversion for the seventh lead change of the contest to secure the win.  It was senior quarterback, Ryan Hasenkamp that was first hit at the two-yard-line then fought for another yard on second effort and finally, in a crowd of many players, was pushed forward across the goal-line to convert the final points of the shootout after a delayed, controversial, but successful two-point call.  Hasenkamp was perfect in the second half completing all 11 of his passes and ended the game with 214 yards passing on 17 of 19 accuracy while also adding 42 rush yards and two touchdowns on the ground.  He was the Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Player to Bank On," with tremendous poise and leadership to bring Nemaha back from a double-digit deficit on two occasions, including scoring three times in the final 9 minutes of the Big 7 League battle.  

Holton took a 12-0 lead as Parker Zeller capped the opening 17 play drive with a TD and after the Thunder turned the ball over on downs in the red zone, Miles McClintock Stozier broke an 88 yard run early in the second quarter for the Cats.  Hasenkamp answered with a 22 yard scoring strike to Trenton Henry then on a wide receiver screen pass from Mitchell Henry to Dylan Enneking from 24 yards out, the Thunder made a PAT to take a 13-12 halftime advantage.  

Holton scored on their first three possessions in the second half including a one-yard TD run by Tyler Price and another 57-yard breakaway by McClintock-Stozier.  But Hasenkamp added a five yard scoring run himself to help overcome an early third quarter fumble by Nemaha Central.  Despite having another 67 yard TD run called back because of a penalty, the Wildcats went ahead 34-21 on a 39 yard score by Spencer Baum and two-point run by Price with 9:32 to play in the game.  

Again, Nemaha never flinched and struck quickly against as Jacob Schmitz ran in a seven yard TD to cap a three-play, 60 yard drive.  Then, after the Thunder defense stopped Holton on fourth down and short at their own 31 yard line, Nemaha scored on the very next play as Jacob Koelzer broke a 31 yard touchdown run and a Derek Uphaus kick made it 35-32 Thunder.  Facing third down and five on the ensuing possession, Baum broke another long run of 73 yards and Mason Strader snuck in the two-point try to give Holton back the lead, 42-35.  But Nemaha Central took nearly four minutes off the clock on their final 10-play drive before Hasenkamp's heroics.  Holton got near mid-field in the seconds, but fumbled away the ball for their only turnover of the night to end the game.  

Penalties plagued the Wildcats all night as 10 total flags resulted in 100 yards against Holton in their home opener.  Holton ran for 546 yards with Baum accounting for 197 and McClintock-Stozier 235.  But the Cats were unsuccessful on their first three tries after touchdown and fell to 0-3 on the season.  Both teams scored four touchdowns in the second half and the Thunder was very balanced with 232 yards passing and 156 on the ground.  They only had four turnovers all night and took advantage of much better starting field position throughout the game.  Koelzer had 72 yards rushing and Enneking led the five receiving targets with 5 catches for 93 yards while Mitchell Henry added 84 yards on 7 grabs.  

After a 20-year draught, it was the second straight win for the reigning Big 7 Champs from Seneca against the Wildcats.  Matt Feldkamp had some big defensive plays to earn "Lineman of the Game" honors from the Denison State Bank.