Football Recap: St. Mary's Piles Up the Points Against Neligh-Oakdale

Cardinals

Margin (Wins)

10/16/25 vs Neligh-Oakdale	68
10/10/25 @ North Central	66
10/03/25 vs Elgin/Pope John	57
09/26/25 @ Ainsworth	43
09/05/25 @ Burwell	40

Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask St. Mary). They blew past the Neligh-Oakdale Warriors 80-12 on Thursday. Considering the Cardinals have won seven contests by more than 37 points this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.

Gage Hedstrom continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 227 yards and five scores on only 13 carries, while also throwing for 109 yards and one touchdown on only ten passes. That's the most rushing yards he has posted since back in October of 2024. Ben Barlow made the highlight reel by snagging an interception and taking it all the way to the house.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: St. Mary's was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 356 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.

St. Mary's didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off four passes before the game was over. James Eby led the group effort, picking up two of those interceptions all by himself. Barlow got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.

When it comes to explaining why Neligh-Oakdale lost, don't look at Dylan Furstenau. Despite the final result, he picked up 93 receiving yards and one TD. Furstenau was no stranger to the big play, lighting up the secondary with a catch that went for 63 yards.

St. Mary's win was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 8-0. The home victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered 12.5 points on average over those games. As for Neligh-Oakdale, their defeat dropped their record down to 6-2.

St. Mary's and Neligh-Oakdale are set to take part in some playoff action in their next matches. The Cardinals will face off against Creighton at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for Neligh-Oakdale, they will look to defend their home field on Thursday against Twin Loup at 7:00 p.m.