HUMBOLDT — Even the nerves of playing a home opener on a brand new field couldn’t shake the Cubs’ composure Friday night; they downed the Neodesha Bluestreaks, 41-20.
“Our kids were pretty excited during this past week at practice,” Head Coach K.B. Criss said. “I was afraid they were going to be amped up.”
He attributed some first-half errors to nerves. They fumbled twice in the first half. But, Criss said the players were able to “settle down” and get in a rhythm before the night was over.
The action started close and remained that way for the majority of the game. Neodesha dropped a fumble in the opening sequence, and the Cubs recovered. They capitalized with a quick touchdown pass from Alex Murrow to Jacob Carpenter.
After a defensive stop, however, the Cubs put the ball on the ground themselves — the Bluestreaks made them pay for it. Neodesha put six on the board after a failed field goal attempt.
“We were sloppy on the ball at first,” Criss said.
In the second quarter, the Cubs were able to put two more in the endzone on the Bluestreaks — both on rushing touchdowns from Caleb Vanatta. The half ended with the home team on top 20-6.
The Bluestreaks’ Hayden Dierks broke a long run to the endzone to start the second half. A failed two-point conversion put Neodesha within 8, 20-12.
“Our team was pretty resilient tonight, I’m proud of our defense,” Criss said.
Immediately following the Blue Streak score, Alex Murrow hit Bryce Isaac for a 10-yard touchdown reception — 27-12 Cubs with 9:45 remaining.
But, the Bluestreaks weren’t done yet. Dierks broke free from the Cubs’ 29-yard line and cruised down the field for a 71-yard touchdown, and the extra point was good as well.
But, the Cubs defense controlled the rest of the game.
Vanatta scored on a 51-yard touchdown run, putting the Cubs up 34-20 with just over 7 minutes left in the game. A defensive stand, coupled with another Humboldt rushing touchdown from Vanatta — his fourth of the game — sealed the win.
“It was a special night for our entire community and school district, I am glad we came away with the win for our players and our fans,” Criss said of the win in the new USD 258 sports complex. “This is something they will always remember.”
As a team, the Cubs racked up 260 passing yards and 162 rushing yards for a total of 422 total yards. Caleb Vanatta led with 105 yards on 17 carries. Hunter Murrow led in receptions with 87 yards on three catches, followed by Vanatta with 69 yards on three receptions.
Defensively, the Cubs held the Bluestreaks to just 216 yards total offense. Grayson Pearish had nine unassisted tackles, followed by Zach Osborn with seven and Jacob Carpenter with six.
The Cubs’ win puts them at 3-0 for the season, they travel to Oswego next week.
Neodesha 6-0-0-14—20
Humboldt 7-13-0-21—41
Humboldt- Carpenter 20-yard pass from A. Murrow (Vanatta run)
Neodesha- #86 2-yard run (PAT failed)
Humboldt- Vanatta 5-yard run (Vanatta run)
Humboldt- Vanatta 27-yard run (PAT failed)
Neodesha- #44 9-yard run (PAT failed)
Humboldt- Isaac 10-yard pass from A. Murrow (Vanatta run)
Neodesha- #2 71-yard run (#32 run)
Humboldt- Vanatta 51-yard run (Vanatta run)
Humboldt- Vanatta 7-yard run (Vanatta run)
Neodesha Humboldt
First downs 6 11
Rushing 36/180 32/162
Passing Yds 36 260
Total Yards 216 422
Passing 7/19 15/26
Fumbles 2 2
Punting 3/38 4/32
Cubs christen new stadium with 41-20 romp
