Dibbern fuels Aurora to 23-10 win over rival GI Northwest

Posted Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 2:16 AM

Aurora's Preston Dibbern had a big night against GI Northwest. *(photo courtesy of Journal-Star)

By Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

Aurora rode the outstanding performance of senior running back Preston Dibbern to grab a key 23-10 Class B, District 6 victory over long time rival Grand Island Northwest Friday night. Aurora also clinched the District title with the win.

Aurora head coach Kyle Peterson was impressed by his team's ability to respond all evening.

The Huskies were not only resilient following both Northwest scores, but also found ways to overcome their own blunders.

And on defense, Aurora was able to put the clamps on Northwest quarterback Carter Terry, who entered the fray as the Class B leader in passing yards. Terrific coverage on those Viking receivers and constant pressure on the sophomore gunslinger kept the GI visitors at bay while Preston Dibbern did his damage for the Huskie offense.

The swift, elusive Dibbern enjoyed the breakout night he needed this season, by rambling for 218 yards on 31 carries, displaying great vision following his blockers and slithering through the Northwest defense like smoke through a keyhole.

Aurora found a way to overcome one of those mistakes in the opening quarter after QB Carter Thompson coughed up the ball at his own 20 yard line with 6:42 left in that 1st stanza.

Two plays later, Cal Narber picked off a Carter Terry aerial at the Huskie 16 to immediately kill the Northwest red zone drive.

It took only 5 plays for Aurora to respond. Dibbern slipped around his left side to outrun the Viking defense with a 52 yard touchdown run. Oscar Reyes booted the PAT and Aurora had themselves a 7-0 lead with 4:35 left in the First.

Speaking of responding, Northwest moved the ball right down the artificial turf from their own 36 all the way to the Aurora 18 in just three plays. The key play was a 44 yard pass connection from Terry to senior Jayden Rodenbaugh.

Aurora did stiffen though, forcing Northwest to settle for a 23 yard field goal by 225 pound defensive lineman/place kicker Dylan Allen with 2:23 left in the 1st.

The Huskies came right back the following possession, once again turning Preston Dibbern loose on a 33 yard scoring jaunt. That would stake Aurora to a 14-3 halftime advantage.

Aurora began the 2nd half with what appeared to be a gamble on a 4th and inches on their own 23 yard line. Northwest not foiled the gamble to take over, but scored on the 2nd play when Carter Terry connected with Brady Glause for a 24 yard TD pass.

The Vikings were back in it, trailing only 14-10 with only 5 minutes expired in the 3rd quarter.

Once again, enter Preston Dibbern.

The darting Dibbern promptly returned the ensuing kickoff 64 yards to the Northwest 34 yard line. A little over 4 minutes later, Dibbern crashed in from the 1 yard line for his 3rd touchdown of the night, giving Aurora a 20-10 lead.

Carter Thompson was big on the 34 yard drive with an 11 yard dash and an 18 yard crossing pattern hookup with 210 pound TE Jared Snyder.

The Huskies would score their final points in the 4th quarter when Oscar Reyes nailed a 29 yard field goal, giving the home team a 23-10 lead. That 12 play drive seemed to take take the sails out of GI Northwest.

Carter Terry did have a string of pass completions on a few instances in that 4th quarter, but the alert Huskie secondary was there to limit them to short gains averaging only 4 yards each on 8 completions.

Aurora, who improves to 6-2 following a 2-2 start to the 2016 season, more than doubled Northwest's total offense of 200 yards. The Huskies rushing total alone was 330 yards.

Preston Dibbern led the way for the Huskies with that 218 yards rushing. Narber added 48 yards, while QB Carter Thompson chipped in with 47.

Thompson completed 7-13 passes for 103 yards but suffered 2 picks, both by Tanner Lierman.

Northwest ground attack was led by Mitch Canfield's 68 yards on 19 touches. Sophomore Carter Terry completed 14 of his 32 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Aurora's win over Northwest clinches a District championship an automatic playoff berth. The Huskies close out the regular season with a road game at Seward next Friday, while Northwest continues to battle for a playoff spot with a home closer against York at Viking Field next Friday.

...............................1........2........3........4..........F

(5-3) GINW...........0........3.........7.......0..........10

(6-2) Aurora..........7.......7..........6.......3.........23

1st Quarter:

Aurora - Preston Dibbern 52 run...................(Reyes kick)....4:35

2nd Quarter:

GINW......Dylan Allen 23 FG.....................................................2:23

Aurora - Dibbern 33 run.................................(Reyes kick)....7:00

3rd Quarter:

GINW .....Brady Glause 24 pass from Terry..(Allen kick)......9:43

Aurora....Dibbern 1 run...................................(Pass failed).....5:10

4th Quarter:

Aurora....Reyes 29 FG................................................................9:12