The Nemaha Central Thunder powered past Hoisington in a snowy Class 2A State Championship game Saturday afternoon in Salina 28-14. 

The Thunder (13-0) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead as they took the opening drive of the game 65 yards in 12 plays capped off by a Carter Hajek six-yard touchdown run. 

The Cardinals (12-1) would take the lead right before halftime with nine play, 40 yard drive capped off by a Tony Moore 4-yard touchdown run which game them a 7-6 lead going into the break. 

Outside of the two touchdown drives in the first half, the two teams combined for three punts, two turnovers, and a turnover on downs. The Cardinals had a fumble while Nemaha Central threw an interception. 

The third quarter was the difference in the game as the Thunder would outscore the Cardinals 14-0 in that frame to take a 20-7 lead into the fourth quarter. 

The Cardinals three drives included a fumble, turnover on downs, and failed fake punt with the Thunder cashing in on two of those miscues. 

The first was a seven-yard run from Hajek that capped off a 54 yard drive in under two minutes. Hajek would follow that with an impressive 49-yard touchdown run to cap a 53 yard drive in under two minutes. 

Both teams would score in the fourth quarter with Nemaha Central making it 28-7 on a one-yard from Hajek on a short field after a turnover on downs. The Cardinals would add a late score on a three-yard touchdown from Moore. 

The Cardinals would fail on the onside kick after that score and the Thunder were able to run out the clock and secure the win. 

Neither team had much success in the passing game with a majority of the yardage coming on the ground. The Thunder finished the game with 297 total yards with 266 coming in the running game while the Cardinals finished with 211 yards with 164 of it on the ground. 

Hajek posted an unbelievable game and finished with 50 carries for 266 yards and all four touchdowns. He finishes his sophomore season with 2,431 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns. 

The Thunder defense was also one of the best units in the state among all classifications as they entered the game allowing under five points per game. 

The win for Nemaha Central secures their second straight perfect season (26 straight wins), second straight state title, and third overall since 2019. 

Click here for postgame interview with Thunder head coach Michael Glatczak. 

**Photo Credit - Dari Hilbert**