The Nemaha Central Thunder got out to a quick 14-0 in the 2A State Title game on Saturday in Salina and never looked back on their way to a 33-17 win over Kingman. 

Kingman got the ball first to start the game and had to punt on their opening possession which gave NC great field position at the Kingman 35 yard line. The Thunder wasted no time with the short field as Cooper Hajek capped off the drive with a three yard touchdown run to give the Thunder an early 6-0 lead. 

Kingman's second possession of the game went three and out. They botched the snap on the punt attempt and the Thunder took over first and goal at the one yard line. Hajek ran in another score to give the Thunder the 14-0 lead after the two-point conversion with 4:43 left in the opening quarter. 

Kingman's third possession also finished with a punt and the Thunder would have the ball going into the second quarter. They wasted little time once again as Gavin Cain got the ball on a reverse and he took it in from 18 yards out which gave the Thunder a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter. 

After that touchdown, Nemaha Central's next three drives of the quarter ended in a fumble, a punt and a turnover on downs. 

Kingman's next four drives ended in a blocked field goal, two interceptions, and a 36-yard field goal to end the half to go into the break trailing Nemaha Central 20-3. 

Kingman had a shot to keep this game close early in the third quarter. After a Nemaha Central three and out to start the second half, the Eagles turned it over on downs which gave Nemaha Central the ball back at their own 26 yard line. Hajek busted a 26 yard touchdown to cap off a 74 yard drive and that extended the NC lead to 26-3 in the third quarter. 

Kingman's offense followed with another three and out and Nemaha Central took over and continued their drive into the fourth quarter. Hajek added his fourth touchdown of the game from 29 yards out which capped off a lengthy 76 yard drive to give the Thunder a 33-3 lead early in the fourth quarter. 

Kingman's offense turned it up in the fourth quarter but it was to late. The Eagles got touchdowns from Carter Helm and Tristen Davidson and even recovered an onside kick in the process. 

Hajek led the rushing attack once again and posted monster numbers in the title game. Hajek finished with 206 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries. Hajek finishes his senior season with over 2,000 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. 

Thunder quarterback Brayden Uphaus finished with nine carries and 34 yards while adding just two completions out of seven attempts for 23 yards. 

Kingman was led by their senior quarterback Nolan Freund who finished the game 15 of 29 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. The Nemaha Central defense forced four turnovers as they had three interceptions and recovered a fumble. Aidan Broxterman had two interceptions while Gavin Cain had the other. 

Davidson led the Eagles receiving core with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. 

Nemaha Central only had the 23 passing yards but finished the game with 263 rushing yards and averaged over five yards per carry. 

Overall, the Thunder outgained the Eagles 286-284. Kingman was more balanced in the effort finishing with 170 passing yards and 114 rushing yards. 

Nemaha Central finishes with a perfect 13-0 record and their first State Championship since 2019. Kingman finishes the season 12-1 and were in the title game for the first time in 50 years. 

**Photo by Dari Hilbert**