Longhorns post 44-29 win at Bayard

Kimball spotted hosting Bayard a pair of early touchdowns to trail 13-0, but came back to record their third win of the season bringing home a 44-29 Western Trails Conference football victory this past Friday night.

It was a clear and beautiful football night in Western Nebraska and the Bayard Tigers were primed to go on the Homecoming night. Kimball kicked off to start the contest and had a return to their own 26 yard line. Seven plays later Bayard had recovered the 74 yards and struck pay dirt on an 8 yard TD pass from Jacob Hoff to Tristan Hunter. The clock showed 9:57 to go 1st period when Zaine Gallegos kicked the PAT.

The Horns were not ready to play football as on the first snap of the football following the kickoff, they fumbled and recovered and it was three and out with Cajero punting from out of his own end zone and Bayard starting at midfield. In less than 5 minutes the hosts covered the 52 yards for their second early score with Hoff throwing to Chandler Cox for a 4 yard TD with 5:19 left in the opening period. Gallegos missed the PAT kick and it was Bayard on top 13-0. An interception by Jon Withrow on this drive was nullified by a personal foul call on Kimball.

Things were looking bleak, a bit scary, for the Horns, but to their credit the Kimball coaches and players kept the composure, remained calm, and went to work. Ethan Land had a good return to the Kimball 39 and behind the running of Jon Withrow and the passing of Colton Stull, Kimball drove the 61 yards in 9 plays with Withrow busting for a 37 yard scamper and a first down at the Bayard 6 yard line and Stull hitting Angel Flores in the end zone with the 6 yard touchdown pass with :52 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Cajero's PAT kick was blocked and it was a 13-6 ball game going into the second quarter.

Angel Flores showed he enjoyed catching the football as he caught one of Bayard's aerials with an interception on the second play of the second period. Starting at their own 40, Kimball moved down field with Jaden Withrow breaking for a 20 yard run, Stull hitting Michael Ferguson for a 7 yard reception and a first and goal with Jon Withrow taking a pitch left on the next play to go in from 3 yards out with 7:39 left in the second period and with Cajero's PAT kick the score was tied 13-13.

The Horns were rolling now and playing like the Big Red is known to play forcing a Bayard punt after the ensuing kickoff. The punt rolled dead at the Bayard 43 and coach Kuxhausen went to his back to tricks calling for a half back pass with Jon Withrow throwing to Michael Ferguson on the first snap of the possession for the 43 yard touchdown. The PAT kick was good and it was Kimball on top 20-13.

Now it was time for the defense to shine was Jaden Withrow made a big hit on the kickoff and Jon Withrow made a couple of key plays himself, one for a loss of 7 yards on a screen and Bayard had to punt once again with Jaden Withrow on a good return to the Kimball 40. The Horns wanted more points before half time and they got them with Enrique Cajero connecting on a 26 yard field goal with :13 seconds left before intermission. Kimball went to the half time locker room leading 23-13.

Second half play began with Kimball on the recieving end of the kickoff and Tyler Magninie returned it to the Kimball 35. Stull, who was at his best throwing the football on this football night, hit Jon Withrow for 19 yards and then found Trent Rutledge for a 45 yard touchdown as he used many receivers to get the results he wanted. Cajero's kick was good with less than 2 minutes ran off the clock and Kimball moving out to a 30-13 lead.

The Tigers were not about to lay down and rollover as they came right back to score on a 1 yard quarterback keeper by Hoff and then Hoff threw complete to Bryce Hargens for the double conversion points to close to 30-21, the score at the end of three periods of play.

Still any body's game going into the fourth and final stanza but the Horns increased the margin with less than a minute ran off the clock in the fourth quarter with Stull throwing to Tyler Magninie for a 12 yard scoring strike to complete a 63 yard drive and Cajero's kick made it 37-21 with 11:13 left to play. Kimball got their final score with 6:00 remaining on a 4 yard touchdown run with Jon Withrow knocking people down on his way to the end zone as he went in standing up and a Cajero kick ran the margin to 44-21.

Bayard would tally one more time on a 66 yard drive with Hoff throwing to Hargens for an 11 yard TD and Tristan Hunter ran in the conversion. The game would end after Ben Sauter roared in for an 11 yard sack and the 205 pound senior lineman has been making big plays all season for Kimball. Kimball took over and Stull took a knee for the final playas the clock ticked away it's final tick and showed the fans a Kimball win of 44-29.

The stat sheet had the winners with 387 yards of offense from 61 plays compared to Bayard with 288 on 67. A huge night throwing the football for Kimball as they hit on 13 of 18 attempts for 215 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. Stull accounted for 12 of 16 for 172 yards and 3 TDS while Jon Withrow completed his only attempt for a 43 yard TD. Bayard was 17 of 35 for 165 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 intercept. Kimball rushed 43 times for 172 yards and Bayard 32 times for 123 yards. Kimball had 8 penalties for 70 yards and the Tigers 6 for 65. Kimball 22 first downs and Bayard 20.

Individual stats showed Jon Withrow with 23 carries for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, Jaden Withrow 4 for 31, AJ Spicer 9 for 23, and Angel Flores 3 for 17. Tristan Hunter, 6'4" 240 pound back led Bayard with 20 carries for 122 yards. Kimball had 5 receivers with catches with Michael Ferguson charted with 5 receptions for 81 yards and 1 TD, Jon Withrow 4 for 66 yards, Trent Rutledge 2 for 50 and 1 TD, Tyler Magninie 1 for 12 and 1 TD, Angel Flores 1 for 6 and 1 TD.

Jon Withrow led the tackle charts for Kimball with 7 solo stops and 4 assists. Ethan Land had 4 solo and 5 assists, Ben Sauter 2-7, Michael Ferguson 4-3, Jaden Withrow 3-4, Trent Rutledge 2-3, Tyler Magninie 3-0, Anthony Williams 1-3, Colton Stull 2-1, AJ Spicer 1-2, Logan Stahla l-l, and Angel Flores 1-1. Others charted with 1 tackle or assist.

Another good night kicking for Enrique Cajero averaging 39 yards on 2 punts, hitting his only field goal attempt, and kicking 5 PATs.

The Horns were still without senior lineman Damien Rutledge who is out with a case of mono but anxious for the O.K. to return to play. Coach Kuxhausen commenting on the game said "We were not ready to play at the start and if we come out like this in future games it will cost us. I was proud of the way we came back. Bayard is strong up front and they have some talent. They will win some more games." Kuxhausen also singled out the play of Colton Stull for his best night throwing the football and Angel Flores for his play allover the field. In the post game huddle, all four Kimball coaches pointed out that Kimball needed to be ready to play at the start this Friday against Cambridge, a 38-20 loser to Bridgeport this past Friday. Coach Gene Mohr also praised both his team, and Bayard, for their sportsmanship.

Friday's game is homecoming for Kimball with Cambridge corning to town for the 6 p.m. kickoff so you fans need to make note of the early start time. It is also the TeamMates Burger Feed so come hungry and help a great cause by eating at the game with serving from 5 to 7 p.m. The Horns are hoping to improve on their 3-2 record and hoping to get that first home victory.

Score by quarter

Kimball 6 17 7 14 - 44

Bayard 13 0 8 8 - 29