#5 Scottsbluff forces 5 turnovers in 35-0 shutout win over #9 York
YORK - Sometimes, it's just your night.
That's how the Scottsbluff Bearcats felt on Friday night after traveling down to York and routing the Dukes 35-0.
Scottsbluff (7-1), ranked 5th in NCN's Class B rankings, entered Friday night with the effort to set a strong tone heading into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, 9th ranked York (5-3) looked to bounce back from two-straight losses to GI Northwest and Seward before hosting Scottsbluff.
The Dukes started the game with the ball and managed to burn some clock with a solid run game. York converted three fourth down's on the opening drive, two of them via a Scottsbluff offside penalty.
On the fourth attempt on 4th down, the Bearcats made the stop and immediately began moving the ball quickly. Quarterback Nate Kelly broke off a 32-yard run to set up a first down inside the ten, before scoring and 8-yard touchdown to break the 0-0 tie.
Leading 7-0, the Dukes were forced to punt on their next drive, but a bad snap allowed the Bearcats to get into the backfield and jump on the ball at the 5-yardline. The very next play, Desmonde Smith took the pigskin into the endzone for a 5-yard score.
Scottsbluff again got the ball back on another fumble, then converted two fourth downs, including a 14-yard play action pass from Kelly to Braxton Burford.
With a 21-0 lead, quarterback Troy Schmid and the Dukes looked for answers on offense. Instead, a dropped pass flew into the hands of George Schmall, who took it back for a 24-yard pick six. The PAT was blocked, but the Bearcats held a 27-0 lead into halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, Scottsbluff would again find the endzone on the second rushing touchdown from Nate Kelly. Kelly went back to Braxton Burford on the two-point conversion to lead 35-0.
With the running clock in effect, both teams traded possessions and Scottsbluff sealed the shutout with an Emilio Cervantes interception at the goal line late in the 4th quarter.
In the 35-0 win, Scottsbluff was led by Nate Kelly with 54 passing yards on 2/4 passing with a touchdown. Kelly also carried the ball for 75 yards and two scores. Desmonde Smith had a nice game, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown.
For York, Troy Schmid went 6/15 passing for 31 yards and three interceptions, but had 45 rushing yards. Zach Alt ran for 46 yards and Colt Eimermann rushed for 33 yards.
The Bearcats finish the regular season 8-1 and are in prime position for a high seed in the Class B playoffs.
For the Dukes, they fall to 5-4 and will be on the lower end of seeding in the Class B playoffs.