The Scottsbluff Bearcats improved to 7-1 on Friday night with a 20-14 home win over old rival McCook.
It was a typical Scottsbluff vs. McCook type game that fans are accustomed to over the years with the Bearcats getting a late fourth quarter defensive stop to help seal the victory.
The key play of the game came on the final play of the first half. With Scottsbluff trailing 7-6 it was quarterback Nate Kelley hitting sophomore Caleb Burda with a 40 yard Hail Mary touchdown pass with no time left on the clock as the Bearcats took a 12-7 lead into the locker room.
Scottsbluff got the opening kickoff of the second half and marched just 40 yards for a score as Des Smith capped it off with a two yard touchdown run.
McCook would not go away easily. With nine minutes to play in the game Bison quarterback Trent Raile connected with Miles Pollman on a 28 yard pass for a touchdown and after the PAT to cut the Bearcats lead to 20-14.
After McCook got a defensive stop they’d get the ball back and facing a fourth and six they missed on a long pass down near goal line turning the ball over on downs. Scottsbluff then picked up a couple of first downs before eventually ending the game in victory formation.
Quarterback Nate Kelley finished with (unofficially) 116 yards rushing and one touchdown on the ground while also throwing for 70 yards and the one score.
Des Smith ran for 121 yards and the one touchdown and it was Burda on the receiving end of that Hail Mary for his first career touchdown.
Scottsbluff will travel to play York next Friday night to close out the regular season.
