Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
BIG SPRINGS – It’s been an up-and-down year for the Potter-Dix Coyotes, a team that has been used to dominant regular season performances over the past few seasons.
The Coyotes had had some big wins and disappointing losses this year, but have achieved their main goal--a berth in the D6 Playoff Bracket.
Friday night’s game against South Platte was critical for the Coyotes in many ways. The victory gave Potter-Dix a winning record for the season at 5-and-3, and it secured a playoff spot with a number 12 seed. A loss could have knocked them out of playoff contention, or at least matched them up against undefeated Hay Springs, Garden County, or Wauneta-Palisades. The win gives them a road matchup against the number 5-seeded 7-and-1 Red Cloud Warriors. A tough matchup for the Coyotes, but a better draw than against the top three seeds in the bracket.
Friday night’s contest started well for the Coyotes, as the Potter-Dix boys put up three touchdowns against the Blue Knights in the first quarter while limiting the home team to just one score. The teams matched scores in the second quarter, but Potter-Dix had built up a 35-to-18 lead at the half and then scored another touchdown in the third quarter to cruise to a 42-to-18 win.
Junior Dylan Tabor was outstanding, completing 13-of-19 passes for 179 yards and four touchdowns. Tabor rushed 10 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Tabor did a great job spreading the ball around to his receivers, with junior Landon Gasseling pulling down two touchdown grabs, and junior Kyle Lenstrom and freshman Drew Jeppson with a touchdown catch each.
The Potter-Dix defense had a solid effort, causing six hurried passes, blocking a field goal, causing two fumbles, and intercepting a pass.
The Coyotes have a big task ahead of them as they need to travel four hours to Red Cloud to take on a strong Warrior team.
They will need their very best effort from their starters, and Dylan Tabor needs to have his best game of the season if the Coyotes hope to advance to the second round of the playoffs.