Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
The final time • AJ Hobbs (right) consoles teammate Keaton Thiele, Friday, following the bobcats 48-34 loss to Stanton in the playoff semifinals.
Reel it in • Sam Cheatum pulls down a pass from Michael Koenig during Friday's Class D1 semifinal matchup against Stanton. The Mustangs downed the Bobcats, 48-34, to advance to the state final in Lincoln.
Balloons float across Summerland Field after the Bobcats get on the scoreboard during Friday's Class D1 playoff game against Stanton.
Mathias Wagner takes a handoff from Bobcat quarterback Michael Koenig.
Michael Koenig kicks a punt during Friday's playoff game.
Coach Brett Kaczor reviews defensive strategy with Keaton Thiele.
Coaches converse with Gavin Whiting.
Ethan Kester grabs for a Mustang player's foot to make a tackle.
The road to Lincoln and an opportunity to play for a Class D1 state championship ended for the Bobcats after a 48-34 loss to defending champs, Stanton.
The semifinal match up, played on the Bobcat's home turf, saw Summerland score first on an 11-play, 72-yard drive orchestrated by senior quarterback Michael Koenig.
The Bobcats led at the top of each quarter and were poised to score again when the Stanton's Becker Pohlman intercepted a pass from the Mustang five yard line and returned it to midfield, setting up a go-ahead touchdown.
Bobcat coach Tom Thramer said his squad had its chances.
"They just got away from us. We lost the turnover battle and it is hard to beat a great team when you do that.
Summerland ends its season with a 10-2 record, with both losses to Stanton. Thramer called the '24 campaign "a great one."
"The kids proved that they have heart and determination and that they could line up with anyone in the state. I wouldn't trade this group of guys for anything," he said.
The team's season motto, family, seemed like a perfect fit.
"Every time they broke down practice, thats the word they finished with, so we just ran with it. They are a close-knit group and really took that word to heart," the coach said.
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