Nebraska 8-man Spotlight: Hitchcock County v. Bertrand (PHOTO GALLERY)

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Sykotyk | September 23, 2023

Deep in southwest Nebraska, the defending Class D2 champion, Hitchcock County Falcons, hosted the Bertrand Vikings in Trenton. The state champs came into the game with a 2-2 overall record. While Bertrand were winless at 0-4.

To start the game, JC Kehr returned the opening kickoff 70 yards for the score. Putting the visitors up early, 6-0 after an unsuccessful two point try. In the second quarter, Hitchcock County would get things going, as QB Jaxon Unrein would score from three yards out, while the two-point try was also unsuccessful. Unrein would add another 6-yard TD run halfway through the second, as Karsoon Shuler would tack on the two-point conversion on the ground. Giving the host Falcons a 14-6 lead.

But, the Vikings of Bertrand, would not go quietly. Scoring with 1:09 left on a 29 yard pass play to Thunder Nelson. Cooper Langford would plow his way through the defenders for a two-point play that tied the game, 14-14.

Langford would add a 1 yard TD run early in the third quarter, to take the tenuous 20-14 lead.

Along the way, starting QB Jaxon Unrein would be injured on a sack. He’d leave the field with assistance, but would later be escorted out for medical care. In his place, Jack Baker would take the reins, and lead several attempts into Viking territory in the second half. One ending in a fumble. And another on an incomplete pass on fourth down to a covered receiver.

The winless Vikings would kneel out the clock. And secure their first victory of the 2023 campaign, 20-14.

For more, and larger, photos from this game, click HERE.

For photos of previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/

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