FORT CALHOUN, NE - The second annual Pioneer Bowl provided a battle that set the stage for this non-conference rivalry to thrive for years to come.

Fort Calhoun used a fourth quarter flurry to hold off Nebraska City 19-18, taking home the Wagon Wheel trophy for the second year in a row.

Fort Calhoun (1-0) trailed 18-6 entering the fourth quarter, but two Blake Welchert touchdowns along with a key Levi Lasher interception and pass breakup led to the host squad pulling off the comeback.
 
Nebraska City (0-1) opened the scoring early in the second quarter, breaking off an explosive play on a 61-yard catch-and-run by Markus Nelson. Nelson broke multiple tackles on the play, sprinting down the near sideline to get the Pioneers on the board.
 
The other Pioneers, Fort Calhoun, responded in the final minute of the half, marching 63 yards and capping the drive with a two-yard Welchert touchdown run.
 
Nebraska City opened the second half with two haymakers, taking the lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Austin Sterling to Kalan Fritsch. On Fort Calhoun's ensuing drive, Chris Blum stepped in front of a pass and raced 64 yards for a pick six to extend the Nebraska City lead to 18-6.
 
Fort Calhoun took the lead with 2:40 left, however, and Nebraska City couldn't find an answer on offense. Lasher intercepted Sterling in Nebraska City territory, and even after the visitors turned Fort Calhoun over on downs, backup quarterback Landon Ferguson couldn't lead the game-winning drive. On fourth down from midfield, Lasher batted away the final pass to seal the win for Fort Calhoun.
 
Nebraska City returns to action next week for its home opener against Omaha Roncalli, while Fort Calhoun will host Oakland-Craig.