Irish deal Arapahoe first defeat; Hitchcock blanks Trojans

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — North Platte St. Patrick’s stout defense fueled a 24-14 win over previously unbeaten Arapahoe Thursday evening.

The Warriors (7-1 record) easily hit season lows for points along with just 208 total yards.

St. Pat’s is also 7-1 while recovering from the recent loss against Dundy County-Stratton.

The Irish took a 14-0 first-quarter lead though Arapahoe ansered on Kade Fisher’s 43-yard touchdown pass that Leonel Diaz took into six-point paradise.

Diaz also kicked the PAT making it 14-7 through one.

However, the Irish unleashed a 39-yard TD run to follow an earlier 23-yard score. A third extra point put Arapahoe down 21-7 at intermission.

Senior William Cacy’s six-yard run and another Diaz kick closed the margin to 21-14 — but Arapahoe didn’t score again in more than one quarter. Very unusual.

Meanwhile, Sutton Tickle’s 29-yard field goal capped the huge Irish victory.

The Warriors were playing without senior quarterback and team leader Trenton Roskop.

Fisher stepped into quarterback, passing for 77 yards including that strike to Diaz besides a team-high 55 rushing.

The Irish focused on top rusher Cacy, allowing just 49 yards on 18 carries or less than three per tote.

Senior Grayson Koller carried just three times for 11 yards. Hayden Sich did catch another pass from Fisher covering 34 yards.

Cacy’s seven tackles, four assists and one stop behind the line led Warrior defense.

Sich added five stops while assisting on another four. Briggs Hill finished with four solos, four assists.

In other Thursday football action, Hitchcock County delivered a 34-0 victory over the visiting Cambridge Trojans.

The Falcons are now 6-2 with this district win which drops Cambridge to 4-4.

No other details were obtained before today’s press deadline.