OMAHA — The Omaha Gross Cougars survived a spirited effort by Crete in the second half to hold off the Cardinals 19-6 on Thursday afternoon.

Omaha Gross (3-3) controlled the momentum in the first half. Jake Garcia scored on a 39-yard run on the Cougars’ opening drive. Gage Mill scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter to make it 13-0. Omaha Gross ran for 156 yards in the first half.

Crete’s (1-3) offense was hampered by errant snaps and was unable to get any traction. They had just four drives and ended in two fumbles, a punt and the end of the half.

The Cardinals came out with a different energy in the second half. The defense forced three punts and a turnover on downs on the Cougars’ first four drives. Offensively, they found some rhythm with the speed option. Quarterback Braden Schmeckpeper ran 13 times for 59 yards in the half.

Schmeckpeper helped guide the Cardinals into Cougar territory on the second drive of the third quarter. A penalty hurt Crete late in the drive and set up 4th and goal from the 16 yard line. Schmeckpeper completed a pass to Brayton Zeibig near the goal line but he lost the football and it rolled out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. The Crete sideline argued that he crossed the goal line before losing the football.

The Cardinals were able to punch it in two drive later. Schmeckpeper ran it in from seven yards out with 6:57 left in the game to make it 13-6.

Crete’s defense came up with another stop to get the ball back with 5:35 to go. Gross senior Charlie Monico intercepted Schmeckpeper to end the drive and turn momentum back to the Cougars. Gross worked the clock down to 31 seconds left and scored on a 4th and three pass to Connor Capece. It was the Cougars’ only pass completion on the night.

Up next, Crete plays at Norris and Gross hosts Blair.