Western Nebraska Observer - Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

It was a night of big plays for the Kimball Longhorns but in the end a big and powerful Bridgeport Team prevailed to win 45-20 in the contest played at Keith Staehr Field.

Bridgeport got on the score board first with 198 pound senior Jerrod Fedorchik going in form 2 yards out with 10:16 showing on the clock 1st period but the Horns stopped him on the 2 point conversion run. Kimball came right back on their possession following the TD with Jaden Withrow busting for a 64 yard run that carried to the Bulldog 1 yard line where he was brought down from behind. Logan Stahla took it in for the remaining yard for Kimball's score but the PAT run by Withrow failed and the score was knotted at 6-6 with 9:37 left in the opening period.

Bridgeport came right back downfield but coughed up the football at the Longhorn 1 yard line where Brady Kilgore picked it up and raced 99 yards to score and put the Horns on top 12-6 when the PAT failed once again. The first period would end with the visitors ahead 14-12 when they scored on another short run and converted the 2 point conversion play.

Bridgeport would score two more times in the second quarter to take a half time lead of 26-12 with senior quarterback Austin Hartman accounting for all the second period scoring. The Dogs ran the score to 32-12 on a 43 yard run by Fedorchik, but then the Horns tallied on their third big play of the contest when Logan Stahla raced 53 yards for the touchdown and Kyle Spicer swept end for the 2 point conversion. The Bulldogs would score twice more for the final tally of 45-20.

While Kimball used the big play to get their scoring, the winners dominated in the state department rushing for 506 yards on 72 attempts plus completing their only single pass attempt for 18 yards and 524 total yards of offense. Fedorchik led with 201 yards and 3 touchdowns, Kyle Kildow had 150 yards rushing and 1 TD, and Austin Hartman had 123 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The winners used up the clock with long drives running 73 plays to 33 for Kimball and had the ball for 33 minutes plus to Kimball's 14 minutes plus. Kimball was 1 of 5 passing for yards of step offs. Top rusher for the Horns was Withrow with 97 yards on 12 carries, Logan Stahla had 95 yards on 8 rushes and 2 touchdowns. Izaac Reuter had the long catch for 10 yards.

Once again Cody Kirby led the defense with 4 solo tackles and 17 assists. Kole Bush with a big night with 7 tackles and 9 assists, Logan Stahla had 1 tackle and 16 assists, Sam Tussinig was 1 and 9, Jaden Withrow 3 and 5, Aroon Flores 2 and 5, Kyle Spicer 2 and 3, Izaac Reuter 2 and 3, Brady Kilgore 1 and 2, and Colton Mielke 1 and 1.

With the loss Kimball is now 0-6 going into this Friday's contest at Bayard, a 43-6 loser to North Platte St. Pats this past Friday. Bridgeport is now 3-3 on the season with the win but will face a tough 5-1 Valentine team this week. Bayard is only 1-5 on the year. Game time at Bayard is 7 p.m.

Bridgeport 14 12 12 7---45

Kimball 12 0 8 0---20