Injuries bite Banner in season opening loss

It was a tough season opener for the Banner County football team last Friday.

The Wildcats lost a pair of players to injury and had to forfeit the second half after falling behind 25-0 at halftime in a road contest against Maywood/Hayes Center.

“We had two kids hurt or injured, so we had to forfeit,” coach Brady Cross said.

Cross said his team had only six players eligible for Friday’s game, prior to the two injuries, and did not want to risk further injury in the second half. The coach said Garrett Grubbs was lost to a concussion while Austin Dolberg pulled his hamstring early in the first half and continued to play.

Although the Wildcats (0-1) suffered the defeat, Cross said Friday’s game was a good eye-opener for his young team.

“We’re a young team, and most of them have never played a single down of high school football,” he said. “It was a good learning experience and they’ll know what to expect next time.

“It was a good game opener where we weren’t overmatched, we’re just young.”

The Wildcats have a bye week this week before traveling to Wauneta-Palisade on Sept. 18. Cross said the bye week comes at a good time to let his team heal. He expects his team to be back up to seven eligible, healthy players for the game. Cross added that he does not expect Grubbs to play in that game.

“Hopefully this will allow us to get back to good health, kind of rejuvenate and heal back up,” Cross said.