Turnovers costly to Longhorns in 14-19 loss to Cozad

    Two lost fumbles and an interception in the end zone took their  toll on the Chase County Longhorns in a 14-19 loss to the Cozad Haymakers Friday.
    “You’ve got to take care of the ball,” Coach Dan Lenners said this week, looking back on the game.
     He said it’s tough to win a ball game with three turnovers, including one in the end zone.
    The Haymakers had their own trouble holding on to the ball, turning it over four times.
    However, it was a fumble deep in Longhorn territory that Cozad converted into the go-ahead touchdown for the win.
    Lenners said his team made great strides offensively this week, racking up 252 yards of rushing. But it was the Longhorn turnovers and special team breakdowns that really made the difference.
Longhorns on the board first
    The Longhorns forced a Cozad punt on their first possession and got on the board first.
    Punter Parker Dillan turned a bad snap into a first down to  set up the Longhorns’ first score.
    One play later, the line opened up enough room for senior Evan Fisher to break through the line. From there, it was off to the races with Fisher crossing the goal line for a 68-yard touchdown run.
    Cozad couldn’t handle the ensuing kickoff and the Longhorns recovered at the Cozad 39. However, the Longhorns couldn’t take advantage of the turnover and were forced to punt.
    Cozad marched from their own 27 and capped the 73-yard drive on a quarterback keeper.  Their kick failed, keeping the Longhorns ahead 7-6.
    The Longhorns went three-and-out and a six-yard punt gave Cozad the ball on the ’Horns 44.
    Cozad beat the secondary for a 33-yard scoring strike and a 13-7 lead after a successful kick.
    After another three-and-out by the Longhorns, Cozad began moving the ball again, until fumbling the ball away on the Longhorn 20.
    A 25-yard run by Fisher and a 45-yard reception and run by Kadyn Vrbas after catching a Scott Wheeler pass set up the Longhorns’ next score.
    That came on a seven-yard run by Fisher. Braden Space added the extra point kick for a 14-13 lead with 2:24 left in the half.
    The Longhorns got one more chance before half when Trevor Peterson intercepted a Cozad pass at the Haymaker 30. Unfortunately, they couldn’t convert the take-away into points as the first half ended.

To read more on Longhorn football and other stories, please log in or subscribe to the digital edition. https://etypeservices.com/Imperial%20RepublicanID359/