The Fort Calhoun football team made a grand entrance for their homecoming game Friday night, but coach Adolph Shepardson's squad didn't get its desired grand result.
Boys Town scored just one touchdown, and just one two-point conversion, besting the Pioneers 8-6 in front of a hearty FCHS home crowd. Three turnovers and three empty offensive trips inside the Cowboys' 10-yard-line cost Shepardson's squad any postgame celebrations.
“Boys Town didn't beat us,” he said. “Anybody who watched that game knows who's the better team.”
The visibly frustrated coach continued.
“We just didn't execute down in the red zone,” Shepardson said. “We moved the ball all night, but turnovers hurt us.”
Ten minutes before the opening kick, the Pioneers arrived back at their school in the west parking lot aboard Fort Calhoun fire trucks. The fully-equipped and ready-to-go football players enjoyed a siren-blaring ride around town as their start time approached, dismounting to a welcoming tunnel of their supporters, who led the way all the way from the lot to their home field on the east side next to US Highway 75.
From there, though, Boys Town took control. Lebron Pendles intercepted a Pioneers pass on the first possession, setting up the go-ahead touchdown. TJ Covington's second effort earned him 18 rushing yards and a score with 10:06 still left in the opening quarter.
Importantly, the Cowboys passed up an extra-point kick opportunity and executed a two-point conversion play. Pendles scored it, giving his squad an 8-0 advantage — all it would need.
Fort Calhoun senior Clint Dierks finished off one of the Pioneers' offensive trips into the red zone with a 1-yard score during the second quarter. Three more trips inside Boys Town's 10-yard line, however, were unsuccessful.
First, trailing 8-0 during the first quarter, Dierks' successful third-down run gave the Pioneers four chances to score from close. Their fourth-down quarterback keeper from the 5-yard-line lost yards, though.
Later during the first half — and trailing by just two points — Calhoun started a drive at its own 29 yard line. QB Ty Hallberg completed passes to Tristan Fuhrman and Zane Schwarz before converting a third down scramble himself. Dierks again ran the ball inside the 10, but the Pioneers ran out of downs for a second time with just 12.6 seconds left before halftime.
Finally, during the third quarter, coach Shepardson's squad again put together a lengthy drive. A long Hallberg run and fourth-down completion to Schwarz preceded Dierks' carry down to the 1-yard-line. Again, though, Boys Town held in the end. Mason Bliss' field goal attempt just missed.
From there, Covington ended two Fort Calhoun drives with Cowboy interceptions. A sack later sunk the Pioneers' last possession, allowing Boys Town to run out the clock.
While its visitors improved to 2-3, FCHS fell to 3-2 through five games this season. The Pioneers are 0-1 in Class C1 district play, but still have high aspirations with four regular season games to go.
“No. 1, one of our big goals is to be in the playoffs,” Shepardson said. “I feel like these next four games we're going to be able to get after these teams. If you get to 7-2, you're going to be in.”
After a disappointing loss in their homecoming game, the coach said his team would get back to practice.
“Back to work and correct your mistakes,” Shepardson said of the mission. “Just like every week.”
