Oakland-Craig Football Season Ends in Semifinals

November 16th, 2020 | Dewey Nelson

ORD – The season came to and end for the Oakland-Craig football team on Friday, Nov. 13, as the Knights fell on the road to Ord 38-28 in the semifinals of the Class C2 playoffs.

Both teams punted on their first offensive possessions of the game.

Ord scored on its second drive, a two-yard run from Tommy Stevens. The PAT made it 7-0.

Oakland-Craig answered right back on their next possession, driving 80 yards and capping things off with a three-yard run from Caden Nelson. The PAT tied it at 7-7 with 3:41 in the first quarter.

The Chanticleers answered with a long drive of their own, going 84 yards, and finishing off with a three-yard run from QB Zach Smith. Ord now led 14-7.

The Knights responded, going 80 yards again, and ending the drive on a two-yard run from Coulter Thiele, tying the game 14-14 with 10:11 left in the second quarter.

Ord scored the last touchdown of the first half, a nine-yard run by Stevens, and the Chanticleers took a 21-14 lead into halftime.

After Oakland-Craig was forced to punt on the opening drive of the third quarter, Ord began with great field position, on the O-C 38. The Chants were able to take a two score lead following a one-yard run by Smith. The PAT made it 28-14 Ord with 8:09 in the third quarter.

But Oakland-Craig would score on their next two drives, a one-yard run by Nelson and a five-yard run by QB Grady Gatewood, and the game was tied 28-28 with 9:48 left in the fourth.

The Chanticleers drove down to the O-C 15 yard line, but had to settle for a 32-yard field goal from Nebraska walk-on commit Kelen Meyer, and Ord now led 31-28 with 7:17 left in the game.

The Knights got the ball for the potential go-ahead drive. A Gatewood pass was intercepted by Smith, giving Ord the ball on the O-C 14 yard line.

The Chanticleers added a touchdown on an eight-yard run by Smith, and after the PAT, now led 38-28 with 5:44 left in the game.

O-C was able to drive to the Ord 37, but were turned away on fourth down.

Ord had the ball with a chance to run out the remaining clock, but O-C got a stop on defense and forced a punt.

With one last chance with the ball, O-C threw their second interception of the game, and Ord was able to run out the remaining 2:04, sealing the game with a 38-28 win.

Ord remains unbeaten and will travel to Fremont for a match-up with Unbeaten Archbishop Bergan for the Class C2 state championship on Friday, Nov. 20.

Oakland-Craig ends their season at 9-2 overall.

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