The SEM Mustangs claimed their first state football championship Friday night as they edged Hay Springs for the Class D6 (six man) championship at UNK’s Cope Stadium in Kearney. The first half was a defensive slugfest with the only score coming with 4:25 left in the second quarter when SEM’s Cohen Rohde caught a 42 yard touchdown pass to put the Mustangs up 8-0 which was the score at halftime. In the third quarter, the two teams went back and forth to start the second half. Hay Springs running back Gage Mintken broke loose for a 50 yard touchdown run on the second play of the third quarter to make the score 8-6. One play later, SEM’s Maddox Jones responded with a 50 yard touchdown run to put the Mustangs back up by 8 (14-6). Hay Springs quickly responded with a 6 play 55 yard drive capped off by Gage Mintken’s 2nd touchdown of the half. The Hawks converted on the 2 point kick and tied the game at 14-14. The score stayed that way until 4:12 left in the 4th quarter when Maddox Jones scored his second touchdown of the night on a 30 yard touchdown run to make the score 20-14. On the point after attempt, SEM went for the two point kick. The snap was low forcing holder Chance Daake to scramble and then find Maddox Jones on a pass completion to convert on a one point attempt to make the score 21-14. That conversion would prove to be big as Hay Springs marched down the field and scored with 44 seconds left as Gage Mintken scored on a 21 yard touchdown run to bring the Hawks to within a point. Hay Springs lined up for the 2 point kick to take the lead but the kick was blocked by SEM’s Ryan Arbuthnot to keep the Mustangs in front. After a failed onside kick attempt by Hay Springs, SEM would run out the clock and secure their first state football championship.
SEM’s Maddox Jones finished with 170 yards rushing on 23 carries and had 2 touchdowns. Cohen Rohde had 4 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.
SEM finishes the season undefeated at 12-0.
Championship game photos courtesy of Dean Ringlein
