GRAND ISLAND — Grand Island relied on a sturdy running game to break into the win column with a 42-6 homecoming victory over Bellevue East Friday night at Memorial Stadium.
The Islanders (1-7) finished with 398 yards of total offense, including 250 yards rushing on 29 attempts, as they gave first-year head coach Creighton Reed his first victory.
Nelsyn Wheeler led the way for Grand Island, rushing 12 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The junior had scoring runs of 54 and 79 yards — the second TD coming with just 41 seconds left in the first half — to tally 191 yards rushing by the intermission as the Islanders led 28-6.
Ryker Booth, who also had a 29-yard punt return, added 52 yards rushing for Grand Island on 10 carries, capping the scoring with a 1-yard TD run with 4:17 to play. Brady Douglass had the Islanders’ other rushing TD on a 2-yard plunge with 10:17 left in the first quarter to open the scoring.
After missing the previous three games due to injury, Grand Island quarterback Gavin Semm returned to complete 9 of 16 pass attempts for 148 yards and two TDs with no interceptions. Semm had a 29-yard scoring pass to Jalen Warren and later connected with Noah Bauer for a 23-yard TD pass.
Semm’s favorite target was Kobyn Bolton, who had four catches for 78 yards. Warren finished with three grabs for 40 yards.
Adrian Davis was 10 of 19 passing for 183 yards, including a 36-yard TD strike to Devin Smith, to lead Bellevue East (1-7). While the Chieftains had some success through the air, they finished with 21 yards rushing on 36 carries as Grand Island registered nine tackles for loss.
Islanders’ defensive end Hudson Oliver was dominant up front. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior recorded two sacks and had two fumble recoveries.
Ryan Boehle, Adolfo Loeza and Douglass also had sacks for Grand Island. Islander Kaeson Larson blocked a PAT kick and a field-goal attempt.
Grand Island will close its season next Friday at home with a 7 p.m. contest against Omaha Northwest.
