Warriors slip past Cyclones

Friday evening didn't turn into the start of the season the Cyclones were hoping for.

After a bit of back and forth scoring routes, the Warriors took control of the game, picking up a 36-22 win at home.

Neligh-Oakdale's Hunter Charf landed in the end zone first, scoring on a two-yard run.

The PAT failed.

Eli Macke answered for the Cyclones, taking it in from the 10-yard line.

The PAT failed.

Charf found the end zone again, when he connected with Julien Hearn for a 60-yard pass.

The PAT was unsuccessful.

The Cyclones didn't give up, Houston Marino tied the game with a 22-yard scramble.

The Cyclones took a two-point lead when Macke cleared the line for the extra two points.

The Warriors responded with a Charf to Hearn pass, good for 30 yards and six points.

Charf hit Garret Belitz for the PAT.

In the fianl quarter, Colton Klabenes intercepted a Mason Hoke pass and returned it for six, giving N-O a 20-14 edge.

Charf scored the final Warrior touchdown in the fourth quarter, with a four-yard run. Kaleb Pofahl ran in the PAT.

Macke added a second 10-yard touchdown run to his resumé in the fourth quarter. Marino added a successful PAT run.

Quarterback Mason Hoke went 3/13 for 22 yards.

Marino led Cyclones' rushers with 15 carries for 79 yards. Macke carried 25 times, accumulating 77 yards.

Six OC defenders finished in double digits in the tackling column.

Gage Switzer led the squad with 19; Logan Mueller added 17; Macke, 13; Anthony Umphress, 12; Marino and Colton Thiele ended with 10 apiece.

The Cyclones host the Creighton Bulldogs, Sept. 6, in Clearwater. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.