The Seward football team got off to a hot start and earned a 41-6 win over Lincoln Northwest Sept. 27 for homecoming.
Coach Jamie Opfer said the team executed well after a physical game against Scottsbluff the week before.
“We wanted to come out fast on offense and we were able to do that. I think that our timing on our passing game is getting better and better each week,” he said.
Ed Knott got the scoring started with a 5-yard run in the first quarter. Tresten Hass completed two touchdown passes in the opening frame, one to Jack Vyhnalek for 42 yards and one to Hayden Burhoop for 14 yards.
The second quarter was all Jays, with Hass throwing a 13-yard TD pass to Vyhnalek and Peyton Else and Kolton Loos adding rushing touchdowns.
Opfer said Hass has had a great start to the 2024 season. Against LNW, the junior quarterback completed 14 of 17 attempts for 243 yards. He’s thrown for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season.
Lathan Janousek caught five for 53 yards against LNW. Vyhnalek caught four for 115 yards and two scores.
On the ground, Else led the team with 102 yards on seven carries.
Nolan Austin stepped in at center to fill in for the injured Jayden Hernandez, and Opfer said Austin has done “an outstanding job the last few weeks.” Barrett Wiesen has played well on both sides of the ball filling in for Hernandez, as well.
Opfer said Cardin Goracke had a great defensive game for SHS.
“His quickness off the ball was an issue for LNW pass protection. He had a lot of pressure in their pass game,” he said.
Keyan Schadwinkel led the team with three solo tackles and three assists.
Opfer said the team understands how important practice is and doesn’t take it for granted.
“It gets pretty easy to get consumed with the grind this time of year, but it’s a group that has great leadership and has come to practice each and every day and put in the work needed to be successful on Friday nights,” he said.
The seniors have been great leaders and shown great work ethic, Opfer said.
Seward (5-0) is on the road Friday, Oct. 4, at Grand Island Northwest. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
