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Bison add steam to sizzler
KEARNEY, Neb. — Isaac Larson’s perfect pass breakup at the goal line nearly turned momentum North to South at Saturday’s Shrine Bowl Football Classic.
With only 90 seconds left before halftime, the McCook alum had enough of Omaha Creighton Prep’s Shannon Brewer making big plays.
Larson defended a second-and-goal play as he deflected Noah Vedral’s quick slant pass for Brewer.
The football floated long enough for perhaps another defender to make a game-changing interception.
However, it eluded the best diving efforts - and those North All-Stars added another touchdown one play later to lead 20-7.
Even more painful was how North defenders pounced on the South’s next crucial pass.
Payton Kinne didn’t miss the interception and blazed 32 yards to a “pick six.”
Instead of 20-7, the North led 27-7 entering halftime while never really being threatened again.
Only a couple of late cosmetic touchdowns made the final score more respectable at 37-30. The South did have enough time for an onside kickoff following its last touchdown, but North recovered and took a knee to end this clash of Nebraska’s best prep senior football players.
McCook teammate Jaret Matson joined Larson in impacting their final high school football contest.
Larson led all Shrine Bowl kick returners with 84 yards on four attempts for a 21-yard average.
The NCAA Division II Chadron State College recruit also made one solo tackle and an assist.
Mattson motored through or around blockers to three tackles, including the game’s initial stop of kickoff return man Zion Williams from Omaha North.
After their South team drove 78 yards in 17 plays to a 7-0 lead, Mattson and Dundy County-Stratton’s Noah Kerchal teamed to drop Williams again at the North 38.
The North promptly went 62 yards to a tying touchdown and ignite its decisive 27-0 surge.