Nemaha Central holds Riley County scoreless in the second half to win by a final score of 34-12 to stay unbeaten.

The Thunder got out to a quick start with a stop near the redzone and responding with a touchdown reception by senior running back Cooper Hajek from senior quarterback Brayden Uphaus to go up 6-0. After another Thunder defensive stop, Uphaus did it with his legs for his third rushing touchdown of the season to go up 14-0. Nemaha Central’s defense continued to not allow any give from the Falcons’ offense as they started 3-for-3 on stops and got a blocked punt by junior lineman Holden Bass. That set them up at the Riley County five-yard line where Hajek got his second score of the game making it 20-0.

Riley County’s offense was finally able to produce with sophomore wide receiver Jace Woodard catching a 45-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Eli Harmison to make it 20-6. Woodard would do it again after the Falcons’ first stop of the game with this score going for 36 yards to make it 20-12 with 1:25 left in the half. Nemaha Central had one more chance to score before the break, but senior defensive back Lucas Kulp intercepted a pass in the endzone to keep it a one-score game entering halftime.

The second half is where Hajek would take the game over as their first possession had all their offensive yards be with his legs as they extended their lead to 28-12. The Falcons couldn’t get anything past the Thunder’s defense and Hajek got his fourth total touchdown of the game with 6:33 left to put the game away. Hajek is the Farmer’s State Bank “Player to Bank On” as he totaled up 38 carries for 332 rushing yards.

Nemaha Central will host Sabetha next week in a ranked matchup to determine the district title. As for Riley County, they go on the road to take on Minneapolis.