JETMORE — The rally never came.
The Central Plains High School football team slowly fell behind Hodgeman County on Saturday night during an Eight-Man Division-I state playoffs second-round game.
The Oilers outscored the Longhorns 14-6 in the final quarter, but couldn’t make up the distance for a 44-36 loss to end their season.
Things started off well.
Central Plains quarterback Braeden Crites connected with Carson Kirmer for a 55-yard touchdown just 17 seconds into the game.
With the two-point conversion, the Oilers (9-2) took an 8-0 lead and looked as though the offense would be able to stampede over the Longhorns.
Hodgeman County answered.
Longhorns’ Robby Carter scored from two yards out to knot the score at eight.
Central Plains’ defense was unable to slow down the Hodgeman County rushing attack, as the Longhorns scored all six of their touchdowns on the ground, as well as rushing for 423 yards.
Central Plains’ aerial game was up and running, with Crites connecting with six receivers, as well as catching a 25-yard pass himself.
Crites threw for 190 yards and four touchdowns, completing 13 of 21 passes (62 percent).
Michael Lamatsch had one receiving touchdown, along with his team-leading 93 yards for the Oilers.
Layne Bieberle had a pair of receiving scores with 31 yards, and Kirmer finished with 60 yards and one TD.
Hodgeman County senior Alex Kreger finished with a team-leading 197 rushing yards and two scores.
Kolt Washburn added 151 rushing yards and two TDs.
Carter had 75 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

                          — Kevin Price

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Eight-Man Division-I Stat Playoffs

Second round

Saturday

At Jetmore

Hodgeman County 44, Central Plains 36
Central Plains            8     6     8     14  —  36
Hodgeman County    14    8    16     6   —  44

SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Central Plains — Carson Kirmer 55 pass from Braeden Crites (Colton Zink run), 11:43
Hodgeman County — Robby Carter 2 run (Zeck Shiew run), 7:09
Hodgeman County — Carter 5 run (run failed), 5:17
Second Quarter
Central Plains — Clark Besthorn 2 run (pass failed), 6:48
Hodgeman County — Kolt Washburn 5 run (Alex Kreger pass from Washburn), :01
Third Quarter
Hodegman County — Kreger 23 run (Washburn run), 9:08
Hodgeman County — Kreger 37 run (Kreger run), 4:33
Central Plains — Layne Bieberle 4 pass from Crites (Bieberle pass from Crites), 2:00
Fourth Quarter
Central Plains — Michael Lamatsch 9 pass from Crites (pass failed), 8:40
Hodgeman County — Washburn 34 run (run failed), 6:06
Central Plains — Bieberle 18 pass from Crites (Bieberle pass from Crites), 3:50