The Axtell Wildcats won, 28-24, over the Loomis Wolves in the first round of the eight-man playoffs.
There were three lead changes before the Wildcats came back in the final minutes to win by four.
Ben Trompke caught the first touchdown throw for Loomis. The Wolves went for a two-point conversion, but the hike was thrown over quarterback, Cauy Meyer’s head which was then recovered by the Wildcats.
In the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats had the ball on the three-yard line which was ran in for a touchdown by junior Jake Halvorsen.
The Wildcats attempted a two-point conversion but was stopped by Loomis defense with 30 second left on the clock.
Making it 6-6.
At the 5:47 mark in the second quarter, junior Elijah Bergstrom, for Axtell, ran from the 37-yard line into the endzone. Bergstrom then ran the ball in for the two-point conversion. Giving them the lead, 14-6.
Less than two minutes later, Loomis had the ball near their endzone when Meyers was sacked for a Wildcat safety.
The Wolves recovered their own punt on the 31-yard line. After a few runs, the Wolves were on the 15-yard line when they got a holding penalty, pushing them back to the 25.
On third and 18, with 1:17 left in the half, Meyer threw from the 30-yard line and was caught by Bergstrom for a touchdown. The Wolves attempted another two-point conversion, but it was no good.
With the final seconds counting down, Bergstrom caught an interception.
Ending the half 16-12, Axtell.
In the first few minutes of the third quarter, once the Wildcats got the ball back, they threw another interception which was caught by freshman Jace Schukar for Loomis.
On first and goal, Loomis ran it in for another touchdown, taking back the lead. However, their third two-point conversion attempted was stopped again.
Just after scoring, Loomis made an onside kick which was recovered by the Wolves at the Wildcats 38-yard line.
Going further down the field to the 20-yard line, Meyer ran the ball into the endzone. Once again, their two-point conversion attempt was stopped by the Wildcats.
Stretching Loomis’s lead 24-16 in the end of the third.
In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Loomis attempted another onside kick but was recovered by Axtell.
The Wolves took back possession but then fumbled on the 11-yard line which was recovered by the Wildcats.
Axtell didn’t make it far before they also fumbled on first and goal at the five-yard line.
Wildcats’ senior, Taaron Lavicky, ran in for a touchdown from the 22-yard line. They attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game but was stopped by the defense.
Loomis keeping the lead, 24-22.
Halfway through the fourth, Halvorsen had two drives with a total of 31 yards. Then Meyers ran from the 39, scoring the touchdown that put the Wildcats in the lead.
Loomis stopped their two-point conversion attempted. But in the final minutes, the Wolves were not able to score and take back the lead.
