BY BUDDY TABLER
Special to the Tribune
HALSTEAD – Larned’s Fernando Herrera scored four touchdowns, including an 85-yard kickoff return to spark a 33-20 football victory over Halstead in the season finale.
“That was a terrific night by Fernando,” said Larned coach Tad Remy. “He did a little bit of everything. He kicked off, kicked extra points, recovered a fumble and scored four touchdowns. He’s a heck of an athlete. What a way to end your senior season!”
The two teams struggled through a turnover plagued first half. Halstead failed on two two-pointers and Herrera kicked an extra point for a 13-12 halftime lead.
Halstead’s Conner Boyd scored on a 1-yard run on a 53-yard drive. Larned’s best drive ended at Halstead’s 11-yard line on an interception by Chris Van Dyke. Halstead intercepted three passes.
A bad Halstead snap gave the Indians the ball at Halstead’s 5-yard line. Logan Erway scampered ten yards and following Herrera’s kick, Larned led 7-6. Halstead’s interception led to Skyler Greer’s 4-yard touchdown and a 12-7 lead.
Herrera’s show was about to begin.
Herrera recovered a Halstead fumble and raced 25 yards for a touchdown and a 13-12 Larned lead at halftime. On the second-half kickoff, Herrera broke right through the middle and returned the football 85 yards for a 19-12 lead.
Herrera converted a 5-yards score and his kick made it 26-12. He scored again in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard run and added the kick for a 33-12 lead.
After an interception by Larned’s Carson Shaver blunted a drive, Owen Farmer ripped the ball away from Shaver and raced 51 yards for a score. Following a pass for two points, the final score stood at 33-20 and Larned closed out the game.
Larned’s defensive front controlled Halstead’s offense in the second half and Carson Shaver had two interceptions and Ian Orth had one to blunt the Dragon attack.
Larned (4-5) and Halstead (2-7) ended their seasons. The Indians passed for 108 yards. Herrera led the Indian rushing attack with nine carries for 102 yards. Logan Erway backed that up with 19 carries for 83 yards.
“I’m pleased for our seniors. This win got us to a record of 4-5 and while it could have and should have been better, it’s still an improvement over last year. They helped to change the culture in our football program and this was a great way for them to go out.”
Larned 7 6 13 7 – 33
Halstead 6 6 0 8 – 20
H—Conner Boyd 1 run; L—Logan Erway 10 run (Fernando Herrera kick); H—Skyler Geer 4 run; L—Herrera 25 fumble return; L—Herrera 85 kickoff return; L—Herrera 5 run (Herrera kick); L—Herrera 25 run (Herrera kick); H—Owen Farmer 51 fumble return
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING—L—32-184; Herrera 9-102; Erway 19-83, Luke Fischer 1-2, Pontius 1-(-1), Haney 1-(-3); H—39-195; Skyler Geer 14-89; Boyd 18-83, Farmer 4-20, Swift 3-3.
PASSING—L—Pontius 8-16-3, 108; H—Swift 6-17-2, 80
RECEIVING—L—Luke Wilson 3-69, Brayson Bird 2-20, Ian Smith 2-19, Fischer 1-4, Herrera 1-(-4); H—Watkins 5-80.
