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Tigers pounce on Boyd County for 62-16 playoff triumph
BENKELMAN, Neb. — The long trip from Boyd County to Benkelman was forgettable for Spartans who met Dundy County-Stratton Tigers on their arrival Thursday afternon.
Powerhouse DC-S led 28-0 before one quarter was finished, 42-0 entering halftime and 62-16 to finish this D-1 state playoff opener.
The Tigers unleashed six touchdown plays of 25 yards or more, including brothers Dante and Breck Horner teaming on a 25-yard scoring connection.
Junior Ethan Latta had already tallied three TDs before that throw with sizzling runs covering 36, two and 35 yards.
Latta would dash even farther for a 63-yard romp to pigskin paradise and — if that wasn’t already a good day’s work — he picked off one Boyd County pass which Ethan took 72 yards for another six points.
Quite a playoff return after Latta suffered one serious knee injury that ruined his remaining sophomore sports year.
The Tigers’ 42-0 first half showed they’re running at full power as a D-1 West Division No. 3 seed.
Latta added one more score from five yards, though teammate DeAndre Hill delivered the most second-half electricity with his 65-yard rumble.
Blaine Aldridge blasted three yards to cap the Tigers’ season-high 62 points.
Amazingly, DC-S averaged better than 12 yards on every rushing play. They gained 392 yards with 32 attempts.
Boyd County finished 4-5 though the Spartans topped 200 yards rushing.
Ben Schmitz scored two of three Spartan TDs while amassing 72 yards. Charlie Adams added 66 and Barrett Koening 51, according to available game statistics.
DC-S now gets ready to play somewhat familiar playoff foe Lourdes Central Catholic next week.
DC-S knocked off the Knights in Nebraska City during their 2020 Class D-1 state championship run.
An official start time was still to be announced.
Lourdes Central Catholic improved to 7-2 when the Knights defeated East No. 11-seed Wisner-Pilger by a 42-30 final on Thursday at Nebraska City.
As the higher seed, DC-S will host this second-round contest.