Offensively, we did some good things and scored on every position other than the kneel down to end the game. On defense, we had several kids that had a good game. Wind River ran a Maryland I formation the entire game and often ran everyone through the same whole that gave us some fits in the first half.”

Coach Shawn Burkart

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The Cyclones travel to play Niobrara County on Friday at 6 p.m.

PAVILLION, WYOMING – Impressive offensive stats and a solid defense resulted in the Southeast High School Cyclones football team maintaining its winning streak with a decisive 44-20 conference victory against the Wind River Cougars on the road on September 20.

The neck-and-neck first quarter ended with Southeast ahead by one point, 7-6. Both teams scored a touchdown early in the second quarter with the scoreboard favoring the Cyclones by two points, 14-12.

The Cyclones pulled ahead when senior quarterback Ayden Desmond and senior receiver Kannon Tippetts completed the first of three touchdown passes between the duo to place Southeast ahead, 21-12.

Junior Beaux Shimic kicked a field goal as the first half came to a close and Southeast headed for the locker rooms up, 24-12.

A gritty Cyclones defense held Wind River to one touchdown in the second half while the Southeast offense took control of the scoreboard with three more touchdowns.

“Offensively, we did some good things and scored on every position other than the kneel down to end the game,” coach Shawn Burkart said. “On defense, we had several kids that had a good game. Wind River ran a Maryland I formation the entire game and often ran everyone through the same whole that gave us some fits in the first half.”

Overall, Burkart was pleased with the team’s effort at its first away game, although there is room for improvement.

“Our focus this week in practice will be on putting together a complete game,” Burkart added. “We have a big rival game with Lusk this week, so we need to be ready to go.”

Wind River scored a touchdown on its opening drive in the first quarter. Taking possession, Southeast responded by reaching the end zone on the subsequent drive.

Tippetts, junior T.J. Moats and senior Carter Blevins relentlessly drove the ball to Wind River’s four-yard line. Moats took the handoff from Desmond and charged the remaining yards into the end zone.

A good kick by Beaux Shimic placed Southeast ahead, 7-6.

Wind River found itself going nowhere on the ensuing drive with a tackle for loss by Blevins and a stop on the Cougar’s receiver by senior William Knowlton.

Wind River fumbled and Desmond recovered the ball.

As the second quarter commenced, Southeast scored its second touchdown. Desmond kept the ball, swept up the left side of the field and into the end zone. Beaux Shimic kicked the extra point between the goal posts and the Cyclones widened their lead, 14-6.

The Cougars responded with a touchdown on their next drive. Desmond stopped Wind River’s attempt to score two extra points with a tackle and Southeast remained ahead, 14-12.

Gaining possession, Desmond completed a four-yard pass to Tippetts in the end zone for Southeast touchdown No. 3. Shimic made good on another kick and Southeast pulled up, 21-12.

An airtight Cyclones defense shut out Wind River on the Cougar’s final drive of the first half, including tackles by seniors Alec DeMarce and Emmett Coxbill and pass coverage by Moats and junior Chase Sauer.

Beaux Shimic kicked in a 32-yard field goal to top off scoring for the Cyclones in the first half and Southeast led, 24-12, at halftime.

A reenergized Southeast offense returned to the field in the third quarter, scoring on the Cyclones’ first possession. Desmond completed a 10-yard pass to senior Ayden Shimic, placing Southeast at Wind River’s five-yard line.

Taking the handoff, Blevins bulldozed into the endzone for touchdown No. 4.

The Southeast defense prevented Wind River from scoring on Wind River’s subsequent drive with tackles by Tippetts, Moats and junior Liam Haas. 

The Cyclones took possession once again and reached the end zone. Desmond completed a 45-yard pass play to Tippetts for a touchdown. Beaux Shimic kicked in the extra point and Southeast led, 37-12.

Wind River faltered on its ensuing drive, stopped by tackles from Haas, Coxbill and senior Sebastian Brumley.

Southeast capped the game off with touchdown No. 5 in the fourth quarter. Desmond launched a 25-yard pass to Tippetts and Beaux Shimic kicked in another extra point.

The Cyclones offense tallied 429 all-purpose yards against Wind River, including 262 rushing yards and 167 passing yards.

Desmond completed 10 of 14 passes with Tippetts receiving seven passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Ayden Shimic caught three passes for 44 yards.

Blevins led the Cyclones in rushing with 103 yards over 13 carries.

Defensively, Desmond led with 34 points, including 18 tackles, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. Haas tallied 15 tackles, Coxbill 11 and Blevins and Sauer 10 apiece. Sauer also blocked a punt by Wind River.

Beaux Shimic tallied one field goal and kicked in five extra points.