FOOTBALL: North Star Outlasts Grand Island in Second Half Defensive Battle

LINCOLN–(KFOR Oct. 11)–Lincoln North Star found out Friday night that records could sometimes be a little deceiving.

Especially with traditional football power Grand Island.

The Navigators, though, held on late in a second half defensive battle and secured a 13-7 win over the Islanders in a game at Seacrest Field.  With the win, North Star (5-2) has automatically qualified for a spot in the Class A State Football Playoffs, which starts Nov. 1.  The win, though, was a challenge for the Gators, unlike the first quarter.

Cameron Bretting recovered a Grand Island fumble and North Star later managed to settle for a 26-yard field goal from kicker Max Kleppinger with 8:44 in the first for a 3-0 advantage.  North Star forced another turnover from the Islanders, with an interception.  Then on the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Tyrell Chatman found receiver Kamden Krieser on a 57-yard touchdown pass with just over seven minutes left in the opening quarter for a 10-0 lead.

North Star’s final score in the game came on a 32-yard field goal from Kleppinger with 10:16 left before halftime.  From there, that’s when Grand Island’s defense regrouped and kept the Gators scoreless the rest of the game.

The Islanders (0-7) rallied and scored with 2:38 remaining before halftime when running back Nelsyn Wheeler broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run.

What put the game away for North Star was a play late in the game when Beaudree Ball found Sam Schaefer to the Grand Island 20-yard line.  A few plays later and time winding out, Ball took a knee and the clock ran out.

Clink the link to listen to the podcast of Friday night’s game.

Football: Grand Island at Lincoln North Star 10-11-24.