Longhorns even record with 45-7 win at Holdrege

    The Chase County Longhorns came home with a decisive 45-7 win over the Holdrege Dusters Friday to improve their record to 2-2.
    They will look to add to the  win column Friday when they host Class B Alliance.
    The ’Horns got off to a fast start in the game, forcing a three-and-out. Starting inside the Duster 40, the Longhorns put their first points on the board with a 26-yard field goal by Braden Space.
    The defense yielded just one touchdown—that came early in the second quarter. From there on, the game belonged to the Longhorns.
    Coach Dan Lenners said he was especially pleased with how the team came out ready to play.
    He said they made some changes in the practice format last week to speed up the tempo and he felt it made a positive difference.
    He said the Longhorns played better on both sides of the ball, adding that the offense is starting to come around.
    “Offensively, we did some really nice things,” he said.
    Plus, he noted the Longhorns did a much better job of taking care of the ball.
    And once when end Parker Dillan lost the ball after a catch, Kadin Vrbas was there to pick it up and run for the score.
    Defensively, the Longhorns came up with four interceptions, including two deep in Duster territory to squelch scoring threats.  
Three second quarter scores
    After trading possessions twice, the Dusters put together an early second quarter drive. They capped it off with a 20-yard touchdown pass and held a 7-3 lead over the Longhorns.
    The defense got tested early after the Longhorns lost a fumble on their own 20 after the kickoff.
    They responded, bringing huge pressure on Holdrege’s quarterback, allowing Scott Wheeler to intercept the ball near the end zone. He returned it 35 yards to set up the Longhorns next score.
    That came three plays later when Vrbas picked up Dillan’s fumble and ran untouched for 52 yards. Space added the kick for a 10-7 lead, one the Longhorns wouldn’t relinquish.
    On the ensuing kickoff, the Longhorns executed the on-side kick perfectly to take over at the Duster 30.
    Wheeler hit Vrbas on a 26-yard strike. Hampered by a motion penalty, the Longhorns would go to fourth-and-goal before Wheeler went in untouched on a reverse keeper.
    That gave the Longhorns a 17-7 lead but they weren’t done yet.
    The Longhorns executed an 11-play, 63-yard drive to put up another score just before the half ended.

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