The season came to and end for the Oakland-Craig football team on Friday, Nov. 13, as the Knights fell on the road to Ord 38-28 in the semifinals of the Class C2 playoffs in action aired on 107.9 the Bull.
Both teams punted on their first offensive possessions of the game.
Ord scored on its second drive, a two-yard run from Tommy Stevens. The PAT made it 7-0.
Oakland-Craig answered right back on their next possession, driving 80 yards and capping things off with a three-yard run from Caden Nelson. The PAT tied it at 7-7 with 3:41 in the first quarter.
The Chanticleers answered with a long drive of their own, going 84 yards, and finishing off with a three-yard run from QB Zach Smith. Ord now led 14-7.
The Knights responded, going 80 yards again, and ending the drive on a two-yard run from Coulter Thiele, tying the game 14-14 with 10:11 left in the second quarter.
Ord scored the last touchdown of the first half, a nine-yard run by Stevens, and the Chanticleers took a 21-14 lead into halftime.
After Oakland-Craig was forced to punt on the opening drive of the third quarter, Ord began with great field position, on the O-C 38. The Chants were able to take a two score lead following a one-yard run by Smith. The PAT made it 28-14 Ord with 8:09 in the third quarter.
But Oakland-Craig would score on their next two drives, a one-yard run by Nelson and a five-yard run by QB Grady Gatewood, and the game was tied 28-28 with 9:48 left in the fourth.
The Chanticleers drove down to the O-C 15 yard line, but had to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Nebraska walk-on commit Kelen Meyer, and Ord now led 31-28 with 7:17 left in the game.
The Knights got the ball for the potential go-ahead drive. A Gatewood pass was intercepted by Smith, giving Ord the ball on the O-C 14 yard line.
The Chanticleers added a touchdown on an eight-yard run by Smith, and after the PAT, now led 38-28 with 5:44 left in the game.
O-C was able to drive to the Ord 37, but were turned away on fourth down.
Ord had the ball with a chance to run out the remaining clock, but O-C got a stop on defense and forced a punt.
With one last chance with the ball, O-C threw their second interception of the game, and Ord was able to run out the remaining 2:04, sealing the game with a 38-28 win.
Gatewood was 13-20 passing for 159 yards and two interceptions. Gunnar Ray made 5 receptions for 60 yards while Carson Thomsen had 3 catches for 56 yards.
Nelson ran the ball 25 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Jack Pille had 63 yards rushing on 3 carries.
Mike Maline made 9 tackles while Thomsen had 7.
The Knights had 399 yards of total offense, including 240 on the ground.
The defense gave up 407 yards of total offense, including 356 rushing.
Heck of a ride for Oakland-Craig. Unfortunately, they couldn't get back to the State Championship for the second year in a row with the chance to repeat.
Oakland-Craig ends their season at 9-2 overall.
It was another very strong season for the Knights.
I really think Jaron Meyer missing most of the season really affected Oakland-Craig though.
Who knows what would of happened had he been healthy the entire time.
Gatewood had 1,239 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and 6 interceptions for the season. Thiele was the team's leading rusher with 830 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Knights say goodbye to Ray, Trey Deemer, Gavin Enstrom, Thiele, Meyer, Trent Arlt, Nelson, Pille, Brands, Jaden Harney, Alec Mockenhaupt, and Maline.
These seniors will be sorely missed no doubt.
Key returners include Thomsen, Gatewood, Dawson Rhoades, Aiden Jorgensen, Connor Guill, Tavis Uhing, Elliot Johnson, Trevor Weitzenkamp, and Jt Brands.
Oakland-Craig graduates a lot of talent, but a lot of guys are back as well.
I look for the Knights to reload and be strong and good once again next year.
Hopefully by the time next season rolls around the coronavirus pandemic will be a thing of the past and things are back to normal.
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