MINATARE- In Thursday night rivalry MACtion, it was the Minatare Indians picking up their first win of the season by defeating Banner County, 39-4.
Playing the team’s second consecutive Thursday night game, Minatare came into the night losers of six straight dating back to last season, including an opening night loss to Creek Valley, 48-6, on the road. On the opposite sideline, the Wildcats were also looking to break a lengthy losing streak, as they were losers of four straight dating back to last season and including a, 50-6, opening night loss at home to Sioux County.
Scoring began on Minatare’s first drive of the night as the Indians marched down the field and punched in the first Dionicio Hernandez rushing touchdown of the night from five yards out. Hernandez also tacked on the 2-point extra point kick to give Minatare the early 8-0 advantage.
Banner County’s first drive of the night stalled in their own territory and led to the first punt of the contest, which Izaiah Lowery promptly returned for a touchdown to extend Minatare’s lead to 14-0 with the extra point kick getting blocked.
Minatare would add two more scores in the half, both on Hernandez rushing touchdowns, to go into the half with a 27-0 advantage.
Banner County was able to crack the goose egg in the third quarter on a Tobey May 33-yard field goal at the 6:15 mark in the quarter to make it 27-4 (6-man field goals are worth 4 points).
That would be the Wildcat’s only score of the night, while Minatare got two more rushing touchdowns from Hernandez in the fourth quarter, one of 46 yards and another of 44 yards, to finish the night with the 39-4 victory.
Hernandez finished his night unofficially with 25 carries for 271 yards and five touchdowns. Banner County was led by freshman Micah Dittbenner with 33 yards on seven carries and 48 yards passing on 4 completions with 12 attempts.
Minatare is back at home next week to host Paxton at 7 p.m., Banner County hits the road to Wauneta-Palisade for their first road game of the season, beginning at 6 p.m. MT.
Meanwhile, the Area Game of the Week heads to Bridgeport next week as the Bulldogs host Sandhills Valley. Pregame coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. MT on 94.1 The Brand.
LISTEN TO THE GAME REPLAY HERE:
