Heading into Friday’s Class 2A Sub-State football contest between Rossville and Nemaha Central, the Thunder knew that the Bulldawgs offense was potent and an offense that can score at will.

Rossville entered as the No. 1-ranked team in the state and showed exactly why, racing out to a 19-0 lead before pulling away for a 31-19 victory to advance to the state championship game for the first time since 2016.

After both teams traded possessions to start the game, Rossville struck first on a big play as junior quarterback Torey Horak found senior receiver Bo Reeeves on a 63-yard touchdown pass to give the Dawgs an early 6-0 lead.

On Nemaha Central’s ensuing drive the Thunder turned the football over on an interception and Rossville took advantage on another touchdown pass from Horak to Reeves, this one from 19 yards out to give the Dawgs a 13-0 advantage.

Rossville then forced a punt on the Thunder’s next drive and drove down the field and scored again on a 10-yard run by Woodrow Rezac to lead 19-0 and it appeared that a rout was on.

But, after a Thunder punt Rossville fumbled and Nemaha Central took advantage marching down the field and scoring on a 1-yard run by Zac Kramer to pull within 19-7.

The Dawgs then missed a field goal on their ensuing possession, and again the Thunder marched down the field with Kramer scoring again on a 5-yard run to pull Nemaha Central within 19-13 with 41 seconds to go in the half.

On the ensuing kickoff Nemaha Central recovered an onside kick, but Rossville’s defense came up with a couple stops to preserve a 19-13 lead going into the half.

In the third quarter Rossville got a three-and-out by their defense and took back control on a 2-yard run by Tyree Sowers to lead 25-13.

Nemaha Central’s offense struggled in the third quarter punting on three straight possessions and the Dawgs took advantage scoring one more touchdown on a 5-yard reception by Parker Kenney to lead 31-13 and put the game away.

The Thunder got a late 1-yard touchdown by Kramer, but the Thunder defense couldn’t get a stop late as Rossville ran out the final 5:20 of the game.

Rossville finished with 440 total yards of offense led by Horak who had 334 total yards including 215 passing yards and three touchdowns including two to Bo Reeves who had five catches for 105 yards and those two scores.

Nemaha Central had just 245 total yards of offense and only 77 in the second half as Kramer led the way with 89 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

The Thunder end another great season with a record of 8-3 and send off several key seniors who have made a lasting impression on the Nemaha Central program.

Rossville meanwhile moves to 12-0 on the year and will take on Hoisington (12-0) in the 2A State Championship next Saturday in Salina.