'Riders top 300 passing yards vs. powerful Arthur

Southwest sophomore quarterback Houston Billeter (14, above) gets a pass hopefully over Arthur County pass rusher arms during Friday afternoon’s contest in Bartley.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

BARTLEY, Neb. — Southwest sophomore Houston Billeter threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns, but unbeaten Arthur County still prevailed 71-36 Friday afternoon.

The Roughriders (3-2 record) saw another amazing effort from junior receiver Trenton Williams, who took in 10 passes and gained 147 yards.

Senior Nathan Rippe turned his five catches into 188 yards or 37.6 per grab. He scored all three of those passing TDs as Billeter completed 15 of 26 throws overall.

Yet the Six-Man champion contender Arthur County Wolves (5-0) would not be stopped again on Friday.

Amazingly, the 71 points were actually Arthur’s third lowest point total this season.

They were coming off 76 points vs. Paxton and 80 against Hay Springs.

Overall, Arthur County is averaging exactly 67 points per contest.

The Wolves’ defense did hold Southwest to 86 rushing yards mainly because passing and quick scores were needed to keep pace.

Rippe carried five times to 30 yards with one rushing TD.

Senior Mitchell Stritt added 28 ground yards.

Rippe remained a tackling machine even against this awesome high-scoring foe. He totaled another 14 defensive stops: seven solo tackles and seven assists.

Williams delivered seven total tackles (five solos) and freshman Jacob Barber added six (three solos).

Southwest can regroup with another Friday 2:30 p.m. contest in cooler weather at 1-4 Brady. Temperatures are only expected near 60 degrees.