A dramatic late-game scoring drive propelled the Seneca Indians to a 40-36 victory over the Nevada Tigers, while in the process, also locking up the outright Big 8 West division championship Friday night at Nevada High School’s Logan Field.
The stakes were high for Seneca (9-0, 6-0) in a matchup that pitted state-ranked squads, as a loss would have relegated the Indians to a three-way share of the Big 8 West title with Nevada and Lamar.
The Indians’ normally reliable run defense was flattened by Nevada running backs Jack Cheaney and Dezmon Robinson in the first half, as the tandem racked up a combined 252 yards on the ground, with Cheaney accounting for 205.
Cheaney detonated for a 75-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter, while closing out the first half with a 99-yard romp to paydirt. In between, Robinson’s 37-yard scamper to the end zone helped the Tigers to a 21-14 halftime lead.
The Tigers (7-2, 4-2) capitalized on an Indians’ miscue early in the second half, with a short scoring drive capped by Cheaney’s 30-yard touchdown run.
Trailing 28-14, the Indians replied with a quick-strike drive that was punctuated by Ethan Altic’s six-yard rushing score on a reverse pitch — but the Indians trailed 28-20 after an unsuccessful two-point play.
Early in the fourth, and back in possession, quarterback Gavyn Hoover’s 45-yard run down the left sideline was followed by Jackson Marrs’ five-yard rushing score. Marrs then powered in from two yards out on the 2-point play, knotting the contest at 28.
Looking to make another big play, Cheaney was unable to secure the catch on the ensuing kickoff, turning the ball over deep in Nevada territory. Three plays later, Marrs gained the right edge en route to a 14-yard rushing score. A failed 2-point conversion left the Indians with a 34-28 lead near the midpoint of the fourth.
After yielding 20 unanswered points, the Tigers needed only a few plays to find the end zone, with Robinson’s elusiveness paying dividends on a 41-yard touchdown run — followed by Grady Stewart’s quarterback sneak on the 2-point play for a 36-34 Nevada lead.
Seneca saved its best for last, chewing up more than six minutes of clock on a methodical 15-play scoring drive.
With 19 seconds remaining, Hoover rolled to his right and connected with junior wide-out Hagen Ginger in the corner of the end zone, accounting for the final margin.
On the game’s final play, Gabe Smith’s pass attempt deep downfield fell incomplete.
Cheaney, meanwhile, rushed for 283 yards on 16 carries, to go along with three touchdowns — giving him 24 for the season.
For Seneca, Marrs also finished the night with three touchdown runs.
Second-ranked Seneca will be the No. 1 seed for the Class 3 District 6 tournament and have a first-round bye.
Seventh-ranked Nevada will be the No. 1 seed for the Class 4 District 7 tournament and the Tigers will also have a bye next Friday.
