Four touchdowns, 24 carries for 132 yards, four catches for 17 yards, three solo tackles and three assists – Ed Knott was a one-man wrecking crew for the Seward football team Sept. 13.
Knott and the Bluejays shut out Lincoln Pius X 35-0 for the third win of the season.
Seward’s other touchdown was a 12-yard pass from Tresten Hass to Hayden Burhoop.
“It wasn’t perfect and I don’t think it ever will be, but we played hard all night long and that’s what I’m looking for as a coach,” Coach Jamie Opfer said.
Seward took advantage of its quickness on defense, he said, and held the Thunderbolts to less than 100 total yards on offense for the game – 62 rushing and 29 passing.
“Our offensive and defensive lines were able to set the tone early on in the game,” Opfer said. “Our ability to control the line of scrimmage at times was the difference.”
He praised both the offensive and defensive lines for their work so far this season.
In addition to Knott’s 132 yards on the ground, Keyan Schadwinkel gained 42 yards on seven carries. Hass completed 16 of 23 passes, with Jack Vyhnalek catching seven for 40 yards.
Kolten Green led the defense with four solo tackles and two assists, and Kayson Salyer and Kyle Riley had three solo tackles each.
Opfer likes what he’s seen so far from the Seward football team.
“We have a group that has spent a lot of time working out and getting ready for this season. So it’s great to see us have some early success,” he said.
Seward (3-0) is on the road at Scottsbluff Friday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT. The Bearcats are also 3-0 with wins over Northwest, Lincoln Northwest and Crete 48-0 Sept. 13.
“It will be a tough matchup for us Friday,” Opfer said.
