Patriots Topple Bombers

This year's 11-man championship game was perhaps one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Now in year 2 of the winner-take-all format, the smaller Red Conference was looking to get into the win column after Aurora Black claimed gold in 2023 for the Blue Conference.

The Blue champs in Beatrice (4-0) squared off against the Red winners in Adams Central (5-0) at Patriot Field near Juniata, NE this afternoon.

The game began with quite a bit of excitement. Adams Central started play by marching up the field in what looked to be a surefire scoring drive. However, they coughed up the ball near the goal line and Beatrice took over possession shortly thereafter. The Bombers made some attempts to escape their own endzone but failed, giving up the first points to AC in the form of a safety. After the proceeding kickoff, Adams Central found their footing. A quick 10-yard passing touchdown from 6th grade QB Paxton Bumgardner to Maddox Smith made it a 10-0 game with 4:27 left in the first quarter.

Trailing by 2 possessions, Beatrice then decided to create a spark of their own. The AC kickoff traveled deep and landed into the hands of 6th grade returner Conner Corter. The Bomber speedster took it 70 yards to the house and just like that, it was a 10-6 ball game.

Unfortunately for the orange and black, this is where things went sideways. Patriot tailback James Peck took the game into his own hands and started the turn. He began with a 40-yard kickoff return of his own capped off by a Bumgardner swing pass for 2. After an auto-punt from Beatrice, Peck again slipped away for 41 more yards and another score.

Still stuck in the first quarter, Beatrice tried to find some success. 3 plays into a new drive however, 6th grade defensive back Alex Hoff intercepted an errant throw and took it into the endzone for 6 more Patriot points. To finish out the first period of play, AC forced another turnover in the form of a fumble as time expired. The score stood at 34-6.

With a commanding lead established, the Patriots remained in control for the rest of the game. Heading out of halftime with adjustments in hand, the Bombers were able to find the endzone on a multitude of occasions. The 2 teams traded scores for much of the second half with lots of JV players seeing some meaningful action. As time melted away, the deficit finally proved insurmountable. Adams Central defeated Beatrice by a final of 80-36 to cap off an undefeated season.

Congratulations to these 2 programs!

Photo Courtesy: Derek O'Connor