In what turned out to be a battle down to the wire the Nemaha County rivalry did not disappoint as Nemaha Central edged out a scrappy Sabetha squad 19-7 Friday night in Sabetha.

Nemaha Central turned it over on downs on the opening drive of the game, but Sabetha was not able to take advantage missing a 42-yard field goal to give the Thunder the football back.

The Thunder responded in a big way going on an 9-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Zac Kramer to Brayden Uphaus giving Nemaha Central a 6-0 lead.

Sabetha then went three-and-out but recovered a fumble on the Thunder’s ensuing drive, but Nemaha Central’s defense held tough and forced another punt.

The Thunder made quick work after the punt needing just four place to find the end zone as Kramer ran it in on an 11-yard designed quarterback run to give Nemaha Central a 13-0 advantage.

Sabetha tried to put something together before halftime going on a 15-play drive that featured Christian McAfee at quarterback for the first time this year, but after taking over five minutes off the clock Kramer made another big play blocking a field goal attempt with just 50 seconds left in the half.

Coming out of halftime Sabetha had to get something going and did they ever going on a 22-play drive that took 11 of the 12 minutes in the third quarter off the clock and resulted in a 7-yard run by Chase Frey to pull the Bluejays within 13-7.

Nemaha Central then fumbled again for the second time in the game, but Sabetha could not take advantage going three-and-out and the Thunder put the nail in the coffin after that as Kramer connected with Wade Leonard on a 20-yard score for the 19-7 final.

Kramer led the balanced Nemaha Central offense with 89 yards rushing and a score along with 132 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Sam McWilliams added 98 yards on the ground.

Sabetha was led in the loss by McAfee who ran for 98 yards despite not recording a carry through the first two weeks.

Nemaha Central (2-1) now gets set for another big test Friday night as the Thunder will host 3-0 ACCCHS, while Sabetha hosts another ranked opponent in 3A #5 Holton with live coverage on 103.9 KNZA.