ARNOLD – South Loup not only proved their seeding, but confirmed their regular season dominance taking down Ansley-Litchfield 46-0 in Arnold on Thursday evening.
The Bobcats came into the Class D2 playoffs at the #2 overall seed in the opening round, going 8-0 in the regular season while dominating their opponents. The closest contest on the year for South Loup was a 48-34 win over Sandhills/Thedford back on Sept. 15.
Ansley-Litchfield was the #15 in the West region, holding a senior heavy roster earning wins over Pleasanton, Burwell, and Elm Creek in the final week of the regular season to earn a postseason bid.
2023 D2 Playoffs – #15 Ansley-Litchfield @ #2 South Loup // Austin Jacobsen
Early on, the Spartans aimed to keep the contest competitive by sticking to their rough-and-tough ground game. Ashton Behmerwohld blasted shorts runs on the opening drive of the contest, with a critical early conversion on fourth down furthering the drive on a ten yard pass play. After a sneak by Zach Loy for another first down, the Spartans would go backwards.
A false start, coupled with a sack then an incomplete pass, forced a punt. South Loup would then begin their offensive dominance.
Starting at their own 24 yard line, South Loup would go seven plays – converting early first downs by running back AJ Starr – to punch in their first score on a 17 yard touchdown reception from Trey Connell to Crew Witthuhn. The Bobcats conversion would cross from Conner Paulsen, pushing the lead 8-0.
2023 D2 Playoffs – #15 Ansley-Litchfield @ #2 South Loup // Austin Jacobsen
Ansley-Litchfield’s second drive garnered some momentum, as the offense relied on receiver Luke Bailey’s hands to carry the load. Bailey would record three receptions on the drive, but another South Loup sack would back-up the Spartans, forcing an interception on the seventh play of the drive by the Bobcats Ethan Furne.
South Loup would only need three plays on their next drive, going up 14-0 off a short plunge by Connell from three yards out. The drive was set up by an excellent return on the interception by Furne to the goal line.
A three-and-out from Ansley-Litchfield opened the flood gates for the visiting team, as South Loup used four plays to score again – this time a Starr 15 yard touchdown run with less than ten minutes until halftime.
2023 D2 Playoffs – #15 Ansley-Litchfield @ #2 South Loup // Austin Jacobsen
The Spartans were granted a first down on a defensive pass interference, but couldn’t take advantage taking back-to-back sacks and another punt.
South Loup’s fourth offensive possession resulted in their fourth touchdown; a 22 yard touchdown run by Starr – his second of the day. The Bobcats converted their conversion try, up 28-0 with 6 minutes and change left.
Another Ansley-Litchfield three-and-out left South Loup with plenty of time to score again. The Bobcats did so, going five plays and ending on a short touchdown run by Connell. The drive earned a boost from Connell through the air, as the quarterback hit Witthuhn for a 27 yard gain. Bobcats led 34-0 with 2:41 left in the half.
2023 D2 Playoffs – #15 Ansley-Litchfield @ #2 South Loup // Austin Jacobsen
The second straight three-and-out by Ansley-Litchfield ended on a turnover on downs, as the Spartans were unable to convert on a fourth and short. With less than two minutes until halftime, South Loup’s initial jet sweep to Cache Gracey was called back on a holding penalty, but the Bobcats Connell made up for the mistake on his 46 yard touchdown run on the very next play. South Loup had the lead, control of the game, and the running clock lead up 40-0 entering halftime.
The Spartans onside kick to open the second half would work – as Ansley-Litchfield recovery in South Loup territory. However, the Bobcat defense was once again too fast on the edges getting another sack on third down to force a Spartan punt.
2023 D2 Playoffs – #15 Ansley-Litchfield @ #2 South Loup // Austin Jacobsen
With the running clock on their side, South Loup would mark one more scoring drive – getting a 31 yard touchdown rumble by Furne to lead 46-0 in the mid-third quarter.
Reserves for both sides would close out the game, as Ansley-Litchfield would fall in Arnold just shy of 7 PM with South Loup earning the win 46-0.
2023 D2 Playoffs – #15 Ansley-Litchfield @ #2 South Loup // Austin Jacobsen
South Loup (9-0) will move on to the second round of the D2 postseason, awaiting the reseeding of the brackets at the conclusion of Thursday night’s results.
Ansley-Litchfield ends their season 3-6.
