Knights take luck from the Irish in big win at the Oak Bowl

PERU, Neb. - In the final week of the regular season, and with so much to play for in terms of potential postseason seeding, Lourdes Central Catholic turned in its best performance of the year, dismantling powerhouse Falls City Sacred Heart at the Oak Bowl Thursday night. 

The Knight's scored early and often, leading 24-0 at the break and coasting to a 40-0 victory in a game that was as quick as a puff of smoke.

The nail in the Irish coffin was the opening possession of the second half.

Lourdes received the ball and coach Jon Borer's squad began a methodical march down the field. Facing a fourth-and-5 deep inside Irish territory, the Knights were bailed out by a defensive delay of game penalty that moved the chains for a first down.

A few plays later, senior running back Vance Weninger caught a 1-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Nolan Beccard to cap off a scoring drive that lasted 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Following the two-point conversion, LCC led 32-0.

FCSH then went on a long drive of its own, eating up almost the remaining time in the third quarter. But the 5 minute-plus drive stalled out in the redzone when backup quarterback James Froeschl was intercepted by Brady Schnitzer.

Froeschl entered at QB for starter Sam Dunn who was injured in the first half and did not return. The second half featured just five total possessions, a miniscule amount in the wildness of 8-man football. 

Weninger--one of two seniors playing his final home game--added a 37-yard touchdown scamper following the interception with 10:29 to go in the fourth to make it 40-0 which began a running clock for the remainder of the game. 

The Irish moved the ball well offensively, but the Knight's defense bowed up when it mattered most, time and time again with sacks, QB pressures and pass break ups by the defensive backfield. 

The scoring started in the first quarter for LCC, when Beccard found Weninger with a 7-yard touchdown pass, one of three Weninger touchdowns on senior night.

Then after an Irish fumble, Beccard scampered in from 11 yards out on a nifty run, making a couple of defenders miss before sneaking in by the pylon untouched up the left near sideline to make it 16-0. 

Froeschl then fumbled a snap from under center with the Irish driving once again. The Knights pounced on it and a couple plays later Beccard found Miles Poppleton on a screen pass in the backfield for a 66-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception. 

Beccard went 11-for-16 through the air for 147 yards and three touchdowns unofficially while adding an additional 54 yards and a score on the ground. Weninger added 110 total yards with three scores. Poppleton unofficially hauled in four passes for 80 yards and a TD. 

Tight end/receiver Joe Simon was the bright spot offensively for FCSH, snagging 10 passes for 105 yards. Froeschl performed well for legendary coach Doug Goltz under tough circumstances completing 11-of-23 throws for 132 yards unofficially. 

Each team is now 4-4 to finish the regular season and awaits word from the NSAA on postseason play. For LCC, it was its third consecutive victory after a 1-4 start to the season. 

As it stands currently, FCSH is 18th in wildcard points and LCC is 22nd in Class D-2.

Box Score: 

Falls City Sacred Heart (4-4): 0, 0, 0, 0 - 0

Lourdes Central Catholic (4-4): 8, 16, 8, 8 - 40