For the second week in a row the High Plains Community Storm have found themselves in the ball game at the completion of the first quarter, but then fail to keep pace as the game goes along. This week it was a 50-26 loss to Central Valley as the Cougars took control in the middle stretch of the game.

The Storm battled tough in the opening quarter of Friday night’s game, but they trailed 14-8 heading into the second quarter. There the Cougars opened up their lead as they scored 22 points to lead 36-8 at halftime. In the third quarter the Storm kept pace, but were unable to narrow the lead as they trailed 50-20 heading into the fourth quarter. A late score added six more, but in the end the night would bring a 50-26 defeat, their second of the season.

High Plains was unable to get anything going through the air as both Raul Marino and Gavin Morris were unable to complete a pass. On the ground both impressed with Marino rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while Morris rushed for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns on ten carries. Sophomore Haden Helgoth rushed for 21 yards on eight carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, it was Wyatt Urkoski who led the way with 14 total tackles while Gage Friesen was close behind with 13 tackles of his own. Ayden Hans recorded ten tackles while Camden Morris came up big with nine. Kaden Rieken and TJ Hiett each had eight tackles while Caleb Sharman and Joaquin Ramirez had seven. Raul Marino came up big with four tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown while Chase Ownes also recovered a fumble.

High Plains will now face a rebuilding East Butler team who after two winless seasons finds themselves 1-1 after a big win over Omaha Christian Academy last week, but were defeated 51-2 by Nebraska Lutheran to start the season. High Plains will have to shut down the rushing attack of junior quarterback Ryan Sullivan along with freshman Rocco Hageman and senior Blaine Orta if they want to capture that first victory of the season on homecoming in Clarks.

The season has not started the way High Plains had hoped, but the Storm will look for their first win on homecoming this Friday. Last week they found success on the ground thanks to Gavin Morris who here carries the ball Mario Lesiak (10) and Ayden Hans (81) block. (R-N Photo by Marcus Schenk)