Blocked punt saves win over Chadron

    From last week on, every game the Longhorns play carries significant playoff implications.
    The Longhorns kept their playoff hopes alive with a come-from-behind 12-8 homecoming win over the Chadron Cardinals here Friday night.
    Trailing 8-6 with less than four minutes left, senior Evan Fisher blocked a punt on Chadron’s own 11 yard line. Kadin Vrbas scooped up the loose ball on his way to the end zone to secure the Longhorns’ hard-fought 12-8 win.
    North winds blowing steady up to nearly 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, played a key role in the game. Plus, the wind drove temperatures down to where it was downright cold.
    The Longhorns scored on their second possession of the game following a 22-yard Chadron punt into the wind.
    Taking over on the Chadron 39, the Longhorns converted a fourth-down to keep the eight-play drive alive.
    From the Cardinal 17, Longhorn signal caller Scott Wheeler rolled to his right and found end Braden Space behind the defense for the game’s first touchdown.
    Space’s extra point kick was blocked, leaving the Longhorns up 6-0.
    From there, the two teams traded possessions four times before the first half ended. The deepest either team got was their opponents 30 yard line.
’Horns get the wind in the 4th
    The Longhorns won the opening toss of the game and deferred to the second half, taking the ball. Chadron opted to take the wind in the third quarter.

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