After a defeat at the hands of Grand Island Northwest on October 25, Hastings High had a small margin of error going into their playoff matchup.
On Friday, though, the Tigers proved that their season-opening trouncing of the McCook Bison was no fluke.
Hastings started slow, giving up a touchdown after a long drive by the Bison. Hastings quarterback Jarrett Synek responded, capping off a drive of his own with an equalizing touchdown. The ensuing extra point attempt was wide left, leaving the Tigers with a disappointing one point deficit.
The score would remain the same going into the halftime break. The Tigers’ season, the best since 2007, was in jeopardy.
Hastings was able to come out of halftime with a passion and overwhelm the Bison with a defensive stand and a quick 82-yard touchdown by Zaide Weidner. From there, the floodgates were opened. A touchdown connection between Synek and Austin Nauert, coupled with a pick-six by Braden Kavelage, took the Tigers into the fourth quarter with a commanding 28-7 lead.
The Tigers were unsatisfied, though. Wide receiver Gareth Jones, who finished the game with a team-high 92 receiving yards, was able to haul in a 73-yard touchdown. A Weidner rushing touchdown put the nail in the coffin, ending the Bison’s season by way of a 42-7 Tiger victory.Â
Prior to the 2019 season, McCook compiled 17 wins in a row against Hastings. With Tiger wins of 30-7 and 42-7 this season, though, Hastings sends McCook back down Highway 34 with a clear statement: The Tigers have established themselves as legitimate Class B contenders.
Hastings will travel to Waverly on Friday, playing a 7pm game. Looking to extend their extraordinary season, if the Tigers are able to bring the same competitive drive displayed against McCook, they will be positioned well to continue to turn heads throughout the state.
