Shirley’s late touchdown secures Fort Calhoun victory over Auburn
The game was a defensive struggle through the first 23 minutes, but it morphed into an exciting offensive affair in the final minute of the first half and into the second half.
By News Channel Nebraska
FORT CALHOUN - The game was a defensive struggle through the first 23 minutes, but it morphed into an exciting offensive affair in the final minute of the first half and into the second half.
It appeared the contest would be scoreless heading into halftime, but Fort Calhoun quarterback Grant Halford threw a touchdown strike to Tyler Strauss on a 9 yard slant with 40.2 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Isaac Blizzard connected on the extra point, and the scoreboard read 7-0 going into the break.
The Pioneers received the second half kickoff and found pay dirt on their opening drive, with Halford rushing in from 2 yard out after the pocket collapsed around him. The score read 14-0 with 6:44 left in the third quarter. On the next possession and facing a 4th and 6, the Bulldogs got on the board with 2:28 courtesy of wide receiver Connor Clark on a 30 yard screen pass from quarterback Brody Darnell. Clark created enough separation at the line of scrimmage with a sensational juke move to scamper down the right sideline and squeeze inside the pylon. Josh Lambert tacked on the extra point to bring the score to 14-7.
In fourth quarter action, FC faced a 3rd and 3 from the Auburn 27 yard line. The Pioneers dialed up a bubble screen to the left side for Michael Shirley. He eluded multiple defenders and dashed into the endzone to push the Pioneers lead to 20-7 with 9:39 remaining. The Bulldogs answered with an efficient drive capped off with a 2 yard touchdown on a stretch run by Darnell at the 4:47 mark.
Auburn’s defense was able to force a punt on the Pioneers’ next possession, and the Bulldogs offense took the field with 2:09 and an opportunity to tie the game, trailing 20-13. The drive started on their own 16 yard line, and after runs for minimal gains on the early downs, Auburn faced a fateful 4th and 5. The Pioneers’ defensive line generated tremendous pressure, and Darnell sailed his pass over the head of Ryan Dixon. Fort Calhoun took over with 46.4 seconds and ran the clock out with kneel downs to prevail.
Auburn saw several drives stall inside opposing territory, turning the ball over on downs thrice. They were also hurt by some immensely deflating penalties in the second half. A 4th down sack in the red zone by Blake Allen was negated by a procedural penalty, an illegal substitution foul that was bizarrely whistled well after the sack had occurred. Later, a Dixon interception was wiped out by defensive holding in the secondary. Fort Calhoun scored touchdowns on the very next plays after each of those infractions.
Quarterbacks accounted for all five of the game’s touchdowns; Halford passed for 177 yards, Darnell for 98. The Pioneers were paced on the ground by Dillon Dierks (9 carries for 47 yards). Turner Arban led the Bulldogs in rushing, carrying the ball 17 times for 64 yards. Auburn’s Wyatt Rowell finished with nine total tackles, two of them for loss.
Fort Calhoun improves to 1-1 on the season and hosts Bishop Neumann next Friday. Auburn (0-2) travels to Milford, with both squads looking to notch their first win.
- Matt English