Bobcats travel to Merna Thursday to face the Coyotes

The Bobcats take a three-game winning streak into post-season play, as they open the first round of the state football playoffs, Thursday, against Anselmo-Merna.

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., in Merna.

Summerland School will dismiss at 1:30 p.m., Thursday.

The Bobcats sit at 5-3 on the season and enter the playoffs as the 12th seed in the west bracket.

The Coyotes enter as the fifth seed and boast a 7-1 record. The lone blemish on their record was a 34-28 loss to Burwell.

With the exception of an 18-13 win against Arcadia/Loup City, the Coyotes offense has averaged 63 points per contest and hit the century mark with a 100-6 win over Hemingford in early September.

Summerland will need to contain senior Carter Johnson, the Coyotes’ leading rusher and passer.

Johnson has completed 18 of 46 passes for 381 yards this season. On the ground, Johnson has carried the ball 116 times, gaining 941 yards.

Defensively, a group of Coyote seniors are responsible for more than 40 tackles apiece.

Wyat Lambertson leads the squad with 52 takedowns, including 33 solo tackles.

Matt McGinn serves as head coach for Anselmo-Merna.