Tigers stumble

Elkhorn High School lost during its baptism into Class A football last week, but the Antlers made the most of their second chance Friday night.

Using a balanced offensive attack, the Antlers spoiled the home opener for Fremont High with a 27-7 win at Memorial Field.

"They make it tough on you because their running game is so good and they get their tight ends involved in the passing game," Fremont coach Kevin Meyer said. "Play-action is their bread and butter. When they get the running game going it opens up those tight ends on drag routes and crossing routes."

The Antlers, who had been a dominant force in Class B for several seasons, made the move to Class A for this season. They lost their opener 21-14 to Omaha Westside last week and the Tigers created problems in the early going Friday.

On Elkhorn’s first play from scrimmage, the Tigers stripped the ball from running back Dane Eccles. Michael Pickler of FHS recovered at the Antlers’ 40.

Two Sam Pimper runs netted one first down before a Trevor Strong to Charlie Simmons pass brought up a fourth-and-inches for FHS at the Elkhorn 18. The Tigers elected to go for it, but a procedure penalty moved them five yards back.

The Tigers then tried a 40-yard field goal, but Jordan Larson’s attempt fell just short.

"We just jumped and we went on a quick count," Meyer said about the penalty prior to Larson’s kick. "I think we would’ve got the first down. That hurt because we needed a score there, at least a field goal."

The Antlers recovered from their early turnover to take control. Junior quarterback Jordan Poehling guided Elkhorn on a seven-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Long. The conversion kick failed, but the Antlers led 6-0 with 5:34 left in the first quarter.

On Elkhorn’s next series, Poehling used a 33-yard completion to Adam Stark to help set up Eccles’ 2-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, a Poehling 4-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Maloley gave Elkhorn a 20-0 halftime lead.

Elkhorn accumulated 237 yards in total offense in the first half, including 146 on the ground.

"They’ve always mixed it up," Meyer said. "We had a lot of people in the box to try and stop the run. We were even having a hard time stopping them at times when we had a lot of people up there."

Elkhorn traveled 62 yards on nine plays for its final touchdown. Poehling connected on passes of 13, 20 and 6 yards during the march that was culminated with Eccles’ 2-yard TD run with about 10 minutes left to play.

FHS took advantage of an Antlers’ penalty to go on its lone scoring march of the night. An Elkhorn defender slammed into Pickler when the FHS senior was punting giving FHS a first down at its 32.

Pickler, junior fullback Ethan Kindler and quarterback Trevor Strong divided the carries during the 12-play drive. Pickler went the final 12 yards and Larson booted the conversion to provide the final margin with 2:39 left.

Meyer was proud of how the Tigers performed in the second half after following behind by three touchdowns.

"We easily could’ve quit in the second half," he said. "It would’ve been nice if we could’ve been 13-6 or so at halftime, but the kids showed a lot of heart sticking with it. We have to build on it and get better."

Fremont will play Papillion-LaVista High School Friday night at Papillion-LaVista South.

Elkhorn 13 7 0 7 - 27

Fremont 0 0 0 7 - 7

Scoring

E - Long 22 pass from Poehling (kick failed)

E - Eccles 2 run (Jacobsen kick)

E - Maloley 4 pass from Poehling (Jacobsen kick)

E - Eccles 2 run (Jacobsen kick)

F - Pickler 12 run (Larson kick)

Team Statistics

Rushing: E 230, FHS 114: Passing: E 130, FHS 10; Total Offense: E 360, FHS 124; Penalties: FHS 10-69, E 4-30; Fumbles-lost: FHS 1-1, E 2-1.

Individual Leaders

Rushing: (E) Eccles 18-92, Maloley 3-44; (FHS) Kindler 10-42, Pickler 8-41.

Passing: (E) Poehling 8-13-0-130; (FHS) Strong 1-4-0-10.

Receiving: (E) Long 4-67; (FHS) Simmons 1-10.