CENTRAL PLAINS 24, ELL-SALINE 22

Written by the Unofficial Oiler

CLAFLIN —The Central Plains Oilers and the Ell-Saline Cardinals decided that a 2-point finish was the appropriate way to spend Friday night.

When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read Central Plains 24, Ell-Saline 22.

Central Plains back Keeton Robison scored two rushing touchdowns and the Oilers converted three consecutive 2-point plays.

Robison rushed for 46 yards and scored on 1- and 8-yard runs. Huxtyn Rogers added a 4-yard touchdown. Quarterback Brodie Crites completed 10 of 19 passes for 177 yards. Robison secured 86 yards receiving and Teagan Schepmann had 43 yards receiving.

Ell-Saline's Jaxsen Reed scored on 3, 6 and 11-yard runs. The Cardinals converted one of three 3-point plays.

Central Plains came out of the gates ready to work.

Robison got the Oilers on the board first with a 8-yard touchdown run. Layton Hoffman's 2-pointer gave the Oilers an 8-0 lead.

Rogers found the end zone in the second quarter, extending the advantage to 16-0 after Robison's 2-point reception fro Hoffman.

The Cardinals' Reed answered with a touchdown, cutting into the Oiler lead 16-6. Ell-Saline's Reed later cut the Oilers' lead to 16-12.

Central Plains answered the way good football teams do — with a response.

With 1:53 remaining in the third quarter, Robison found the end zone for the second time, and the Oilers' Mr. Rogers converted the 2-point pass from Crites.

Just like that, Central Plains had rebuilt its lead to 24-12.

The Oilers had the lead they needed.

They just needed to keep it.

With 7:17 left, Ell-Saline's Reed scored again, cutting the Central Plains advantage to 24-20.

Things were about to get wild.

The Cardinals appeared to briefly take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but a holding penalty erased a touchdown.

Central Plains wasn’t out of danger yet.

Ell-Saline drove inside the Oiler 5-yard line and faced a 4th-and-goal situation.

The Oiler defense held.

Just a huge Central Plains defensive stand when it mattered most.

Oiler coach J.D. Johnson elected to play field position.

The Oilers took a safety by Schepmann, giving up two points but gaining the opportunity to kick from the 15-yard line.

Sometimes it’s about giving yourself the best possible chance to win.

The Cardinals got the ball with 90 seconds left, trailing 24-22.

Layton Hoffman stepped in.

With 1:23 left, Hoffman intercepted a Cardinal pass at the 35-yard line, shutting down the comeback attempt.

The Oilers had survived the fourth-quarter storm.

Central Plains 24. Ell-Saline 22.

On a night that came down to the final minutes, it's a win worth enjoying.

“We were fortunate to come away with a win after many chances to put points on the board were squandered, ” said Central Plains football coach J.D. Johnson. “We must get better and continue to improve at executing in the red zone. I'm always thankful with a win, but we've to keep working and improving. “Both teams battled extremely hard."

Central Plains (2-0) plays Kinsley at home this week.

Central Plains (2-0) 8 8 8 0 — 24

Ell-Saline (0-2) 0 6 6 10 — 22

CP—Robison 8 run (Hoffman run); CP—Rogers 4 run (Robison pass from Hoffman); ES—Reed 3 run (run fails); ES—Reed 6 run (pass fails); CP—Robison 1 run (Rogers pass from Crites); ES—Reed 11 run (Swetson pass from Roche); ES—Safety (Schepmann steps out of end zone)

RUSHING—CP—35-63; Robison 13-46; Rogers 8-17; Klima 2-8; Crites 10-2; Schepmann 2-(-10)

PASSING—CP—Crites 10-19-0, 177

RECEIVING—CP—Robison 6-86; Schepmann 1-43; Hayes 2-37; Rogers 1-11