WP rolls to gridiron win

    The Wauneta-Palisade football team ran all over Banner County Friday and claimed its first win of the season, 56-6.
    The Broncos held Banner County to 59 total yards in the game and were dominant right from the start.
    Kyle Jutten ran down the right sideline and cut back to the middle to score a 31-yard touchdown with 8:49 left in the first quarter.
    The stifling WP defense forced a punt on the Wildcats’ second possession. Michael Duvel returned it for a 66-yard touchdown.
    Jutten capped first quarter scoring with a 42-yard run.
    Extra point kicks by Jacksen Littrel gave WP a 24-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
    After Jutten went down with an arm injury in the second quarter, sophomore Gabe McCrumb and freshman Blake Nickerson picked up the slack. Following McCrumb’s 20-yard touchdown run, Nickerson broke three tackles en route to a 47-yard touchdown.
    Nickerson added touchdown runs of 19 and 21 yards as the clock ran in the second half.
    Freshman Draven Miner blocked a punt and tackled the Banner County punter in the end zone for a safety in the third quarter, as well.
    Banner County was able to get on the board in the fourth quarter, but the Broncos took the 56-6 win.
    WP Co-Head Coach Joseph Frecks said the Broncos’ seniors were great leaders, and as younger guys got into the game, the intensity stayed at a high level.  
    “The boys competed and got better with the win tonight.  As coaches, we are proud of the effort and attention to detail in blocking and discipline,” Frecks said.
    Jutten had three carries in the game for 98 yards. Nickerson added 84 yards on six carries. WP didn’t throw a pass in the game and finished with 283 yards rushing.
Up next
    The Broncos have a short week to prepare for a Thursday night game at South Platte.
    Frecks said the Knights are young but very athletic.
    “We look forward to a strong test,” he added.
    South Platte opened the season with a 6-60 loss to Southwest, a district opponent WP will face Sept. 22.