Howells-Dodge comes from behind to defeat Cross County

The Howells-Dodge Jaguars trailed 26-14 at halftime at home against Cross County Friday night, but came back to win 28-26.

Howells-Dodge struck first as Tyler Polacek scored from 17 yards out to put the Jaguars up 6-0 in the first quarter.

Following a first quarter Cougar touchdown that tied the game at 6, Polacek was off to the races for a 54-yard TD run that put the Jaguars ahead 14-6 at the end of one.

Cross County scored three times in the second quarter to take their halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Polacek found Zach Bayer for an 11-yard touchdown on a pass to pull Howells-Dodge within 26-22.

Polacek returned a punt 44 yards in the fourth quarter to win the game for the Jaguars.

Polacek had 176 yards rushing on 22 carries, and scored twice to lead Howells-Dodge. Jordan Brichacek carried the rock 15 times for 57 yards.

Polacek was 7-8 passing for 41 yards, including the one score.

Polacek made a game-high 16 tackles while Bayer had 13. Luke Renter came in with 11 while Mitchell Prusa racked up 7.

The Jaguars had just one turnover in the game while the Cougars had 2.

Howells-Dodge racked up 283 yards of total offense, 242 coming on the ground. The Jaguars gave up 255 yards of total offense, including 246 on the ground.

Howells-Dodge didn't play bad Friday night, but they were sort of a one man show. Polacek did a lot for this team, and without him, the Jaguars no doubt would have lost.

Howells-Dodge played a fairly clean game though as it appears both teams were pretty evenly matched.

All that matters is the Jaguars won. I'm sure Howells-Dodge will take the win.

The Jaguars (1-0) are at Bloomfield (1-0) on Saturday.

The Bees won 52-14 at Niobrara/Verdigre this past Friday night, and will no doubt be looking to knock off Howells-Dodge, and improve to 2-0.

The Jaguars are very capable of winning, but they have to step up their game.

Polacek has to have another big game, and Brichacek, Bayer, and others have to help him.

Howells-Dodge has to play the way they did in the first, third, and fourth quarters against Cross County.

Take away the second quarter and the Jaguars win 28-6.

This Jaguars' football team is capable of great things, they just have to put together a complete, four quarter game.

Playing on a Saturday is difficult, but this team has to find some energy, enthusiasm, and excitement from within.

Howells-Dodge has to come ready to play, and has to want it more than Bloomfield. I'm sure the Bees will be chomping at the bit for their chance to beat the Jaguars, so Howells-Dodge simply has to rally around one another, and not let it happen.

The Jaguars have to get jacked and fired up to play this game. The feeling may not be the same as a Friday night, but as I said Howells-Dodge has to create their own energy, enthusiasm, and excitement in order to win.

Listening to some good tunes on the bus and during warm ups definitely won't hurt this team. The Jaguars have to come focused and ready to play, and be ready to go full tilt with the Bees.