PONCA - Battle Creek punctuated an outstanding regular campaign by downing the Ponca Indians 51-20 Friday night.

The Braves wasted no time, as they marched down the field on their opening drive and punched it in from 3 yards out on a Brek Thompson scoring plunge. Their defense then forced a Ponca 3-and-out, and Casey Schnebel extended he lead to 13-0 with a 6-yard TD dash.

Battle Creek QB Jaxon Mettler had a dynamite night, averaging 45 yards per completion and tossing 2 scoring passes, both to TE Conner Neuhalfen. The Braves ended the 1st quarter up 19-0 and doubled that in the 2nd for a 38-0 halftime lead.

Aden Pochop chipped in 2 TDs, backup QB Tyan Thompson hit Kamden Showalter for a 30-yd TD strike and reserve RB Trevor Hintz rumbled into the end zone from 46 yards away to complete the Braves' scoring.

Ponca lost their starting QB Austin Dendinger to injury in the 1st quarter, but freshman backup Caden Campbell filled in admirably, going deep to Jace Wahls and Connor Schamp in the second half for TD tosses.

Ponca finished the year at 1-8 while Battle Creek improves to 7-2 and will be the #2 seed in the C-2 playoffs, hosting David City Aquinas Catholic next Friday.