The Southeast Cyclones went on the road Friday and couldn’t capitalize on offense, falling to the 2016 1A 11-man champion Pine Bluffs 41-8, forcing a must-win game Friday.
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PINE BLUFFS – The Southeast Cyclones went on the road Friday and couldn’t capitalize on offense, falling to the 2016 1A 11-man champion Pine Bluffs 41-8, forcing a must-win game Friday.
The Hornets got on the board first Friday, scoring with just over four minutes to go in the first frame. A fumble by the Cyclones gave the ball to the Hornets on the Southeast 34-yard line. Six plays later and Pine Bluffs scored on a one-yard run to up their advantage to 14-0.
The Cyclones started stringing plays together to open the second quarter. They were in the midst of a 14-play drive, but a bad snap forced a 23-yard loss, forcing a Cyclone punt. Two drives later and Pine Bluffs capped off a nine-play, 85-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, giving the Hornets a 21-0 lead at intermission.
A three-and-out to open the second half by Southeast gave the ball back to Pine Bluffs and the home team scored on a three-yard run. After another Cyclone punt, the Hornets were forced to punt, but a bad snap resulted in Southeast taking over possession on their opponent’s seven. Six plays later and Brant Fullmer scored on a two-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Pine Bluffs went on to score two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one an 18-yard run and the second a 16-yard pass. Southeast committed two turnovers and were forced to punt once in the final frame.
Dawson Beck was the top rusher for the Cyclones, accounting for 66 yards on 15 attempts. Chase Lovercheck toted the rock seven times for two yards before suffering an injury and being sidelined for the rest of the game.
Lovercheck also had a reception for 24 yards. Sterling Werner hauled in another catch for 12 yards. Brady Fullmer completed 2-of-7 for 36 yards in the contest.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tanner Hort was all over the field, accounting for seven solo tackles and four assisted tackles before being sidelined by an injury. Werner was a menace in the backfield, recording 3.5 tackles for loss, along with four solo tackles and four assisted tackles. Lovercheck finished the night with six solo tackles and a tackle for loss, while Patrick Swank had five solo tackles and two assisted tackles. Conner Smith and Hayden Anderson combined for eight solo tackles, three assisted tackles and a tackle for loss.
The loss puts the Cyclones at 3-3 on the season, with a 2-3 record in the conference. They currently sit fourth in the east, but Friday’s game against Lusk could make or break Southeast’s season. Whoever wins between the Cyclones and Tigers in Yoder on Friday (7 p.m.) punches their ticket for the postseason, while the losers’ season comes to a close.