Bison push top five Bearcats; but now 11th in power points

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Who said the McCook Bison can’t go hit-for-hit with a Class B No. 5 football team?

Take away a “Hail Mary” touchdown pass before halftime and another two-play drive, McCook blanks the Scottsbluff Bearcats through those first two quarters.

Every play counts even if the Bison ran 56 plays to Scottsbluff’s 38.

A short kickoff starting the second half helped set up another score — just enough to preserve Scottsbluff’s 20-14 victory.

Anyone wagering steaks the spread would be more better start firing up that grill.

“I really think this was our best game all season,” McCook coach Joe Vetrovsky said just moments after Friday’s contest on KICX radio. “I thought our preparation was good all week, we were locked in and the guys played like it.”

Remember, the Bison were taking on a 7-1 Bearcat team whose closest previous victory was 31-6.

Scottsbluff’s only two points from being unbeaten and that was 28-27 against current Class B No. 1 Seward (8-0).

Yet the Bison (5-3 record) never flinched as they took more than six minutes on their game-opening drive.

Quarterback Trenton Raile ran for the initial first down then showed McCook’s improved passing game again.

On third down and 10, Raile shook off Scottsbluff’s blitz while sizzling a pass to junior Miles Pollmann.

First down at the 40 as Pollmann began his season-best four receptions for 80 yards.

Junior leading rusher Tristan Campbell would clear the 1,000-yard season mark, and his four-yard converted another third down in Bearcat territory.

However, the next third-and-three resulted in Raile being sacked.

No points and a Bison punt.

Then two plays: a 30-yard Desmond Smith run and quarterback Nate Kelley’s 56-yard scamper made it Bearcats 6, Bison 0.

“That’s about as bad as you can start,” Vetro admitted. “From there, we settled and did a good job other than a couple moments of the game.”

Indeed. McCook even took a quick 7-6 lead starting with Pollmann’s sideline catch.

Sophomore Lee Davidson continued delivering strong fullback runs. Another third down saw senior Beckett Heskett and Davidson lead Campbell to a first at Scottsbluff’s 12.

Raile converted one fourth down at the three before sneaking into that end zone. Sophomore Gunner Kaps’ kick made it 7-6.

The lead held until a 42-yard TD pass going into halftime. Bison needed to “knock it down!” but Caleb Burda made the successful catch. That 12-7 margin soon became 20-7.

Yet Pollmann made another 20-yard catch and an apparent 30-yard TD reception on Campbell’s halfback pass.

Penalty!

No problem. Raile soon threw a 28-yard TD to Pollmann. That’s all.

McCook moved into striking range only to miss on fourth down with 4:30 remaining.

Class B power points leaders

The Class B football state power points race entering this week.

1. Seward 8-0, 44.75

Bennington 7-1, 43.75

2. Omaha Skutt 7-1, 43.75

4. Elkhorn North 7-1, 73.375

5. Scottsbluff 7-1, 43.0

6. Waverly 6-2, 42.0

7. Gering 6-2, 41.625

8. Gretna 5-3, 40.25

9. Hastings 5-3, 39.875

10. Elkhorn 4-4, 39.625

11. McCook 5-3, 39.5

12. York 5-2, 39.125

13. Gretna East 4-4, 38.875

14. Norris 5-3, 38.75

15. Lincoln Pius X, 4-4, 38.6; 16. G.I. Northwest 3-5, 37.5