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At Wapakoneta for a D. VII state semifinal as New Bremen (9-2) takes on Lima Central Catholic (9-1). Kick off in just under a half an hour. @NewBremenSports @EL_Sports1
Looks like New Bremen will get the ball first
Five minutes, Cards are on the field – bei Harmon Field
1Q 2:52 | New Bremen 0 Lima Catholic Central 7. Thunderbirds have won the field position battle early, they score on their second possession in two pass plays. A big play action to get them in the red zone and a 15-yard touchdown catch right after.
End 1Q | New Bremen 0 Lima Central Catholic 7. Thunderbirds have it at the Cards 27-yard line facing a second and short.
Cards offense has struggled to move the ball early and Thunderbirds have had excellent field position in their first three possessions, Cards 46-yard line, own 42-yard line and midfield.
After a missed field goal earlier, Thunderbirds go for it on fourth at the Cards 20-yard line. @BlickleBen with the stop here
Just over four minutes in the first half at a timeout, Thunderbirds have a first at the Cards 29-yard line.
HALFTIME | New Bremen 0 Lima Central Catholic 7. With the Thunderbirds getting the ball to start the second half, big stop by the Cards defense before halftime. Dave Homan with this pick with six seconds left in the first half.
Development here, after Cards running back and linebacker Zach Bertke was hurt early their second offensive drive, he didn’t return and starts the second half without a helmet on the sideline.
2Q 10:53 | New Bremen 0 Lima Central Catholic 13. Cards block the extra point but allow another big pass play, an 89-yard catch and run on a third and long for the score
3rd quarter**
3Q 8:25 | New Bremen 7 Lima Central Catholic 13. Cards respond on the next drive and get on the board. A 30-yard run by Hunter Schaefer sets them up and @Mitchellhays14 runs it in here
3Q 6:33 | New Bremen 7 Lima Central Catholic 20. Thunderbirds score on another long pass play, this time a screen to the left that goes for 57-yards. Thunderbirds speed was mentioned previewing this game and we’ve seen it on each of their scores
3Q 4:10 | New Bremen 13 Lima Central Catholic 20. Cards respond yet again. It’s @Mitchellhays14 making it happen on third and short, a 50-yard run. Great block by Hunter Schaefer as the run comes back short side.
20-14***
End 3Q | New Bremen 14 Lima Central Catholic 20
4Q 11:01 | New Bremen 21 Lima Central Catholic 20. Hunter Schaefer with a 28-yard touchdown run and the Cards seize the lead.
4Q 4:11 | New Bremen 28 Lima Central Catholic 20. @Mitchellhays14 scores from six-yards out here on fourth and one
Lima Central Catholic has scored with 31 seconds left. They need the 2-point conversion trailing 28-26.
A play that will be talked about for a long time. Cards defense holds!!! They lead 28-26 with 31 seconds remaining.
FINAL | New Bremen 28 Lima Central Catholic. Cards are going to play for their first ever state title.
Cards earn their first ever trip to the state finals by taking a knee. Rather than celebrate immediately, they console the Thunderbirds players. @midwestathletic @NewBremenSports
Cards coaching staff post-game
. @CP_Schmidt’s postgame speech
Post game interviews from @Mitchellhays14, @BlickleBen, Hunter Williams and Hunter Schaefer will be posted shortly
First up, @Mitchellhays14. He rushed for a game high 185 yards, scoring 3 touchdowns. He talked about Hunter Schaefer stepping in, his second score on a scramble, taking a late lead, comforting the Thunderbird players and what the W means for the program. PART 1
PART 2
PART 3
Senior lineman @BlickleBen led the team tonight with 12.5 tackles. He talked about bringing a new level of success to New Bremen football, facing LCC’s rush attack, the 2-point conversion stop, earning the W and the community support. PART 1
PART 2
Senior Hunter Williams had 5 tackles tonight and talked about what this W means for the program, the mentality of the team in the second half, the 2-point conversion stop through his eyes and what he was feeling.
Sophomore Hunter Schaefer replaced injured leading rusher Zach Bertke. He had 76 yards, a key run to set up a score, a key block on another score and the go ahead score in the fourth quarter.
