Pender loses shootout at Creighton to start season

 

The Pender Football Team gave perennial power Creighton a run for their money on the road Friday night, but it was the Bulldogs who came out victors, 50-41.

The Pendragons led 7-6 after one before the Bulldogs outscored them 22-14 in the 2nd quarter to build a 28-21 halftime advantage.

Creighton won the 3rd quarter 16-13 to go up 44-34 at the end of three.

Pender won the 4th quarter 7-6.

Braxton Volk was 9-16 passing for 119 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Caleb Trimble rushed for 94 yards on 13 carries, and scored once, while Brody Krusemark ran the ball 6 times for 57 yards, and also scored once. Dylan Vogt hauled in 6 passes for 83 yards, and scored twice.

Vogt, Jacob Bruns, and Chase Hofmeister each had 13 tackles apiece while Lucas Timm and Jaxon Maise had 11 and 7, respectively.

The Pendragons racked up 322 yards of total offense, 162 coming through the air.

Great offensive balance for Pender. Nothing wrong with a loss like that to Creighton.

The Pendragons (0-1) host Randolph (0-1) Friday night.

The Cardinals lost 66-36 at home to Hartington-Newcastle last week.

I think this is a game that Pender can get.

Randolph is a tough team traditionally, but the Pendragons appear to be on the brink of becoming an elite team.

I know it's only one game, but the way Pender played against Creighton leads me to believe that they can do something this year.

Beating the Cardinals would be a huge step in beating a well known program.

I feel like the Pendragons have been good in recent years, beating everyone they're supposed to and winning some close games, but I feel like they have yet to become great or elite.

With that said, I feel like Pender is starting to reach their potential, and a win over Randolph would go a long ways in elevating this program.

We'll see if the Pendragons can do it and get the job done Friday night.

I believe they can as long as they play the way they did on offense last week. 

Some adjustments needed on defense for sure, but I look for Pender's defense to be improved this week.