Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Pender). They blew past the Homer Knights 60-36 on Friday. Given the Pendragons' advantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska football rankings (they are ranked 34th, while the Knights are ranked 101st), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Owen Kneifl was his usual excellent self, rushing for 179 yards and five touchdowns while picking up 7.8 yards per carry. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 2.2 rushing touchdowns per game. The team also got some help courtesy of Trevor Trimble, who gained 131 total yards and four touchdowns.
Pender's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged four passes before it was all said and done. Alex Roth led the group effort, picking up two of those interceptions all by himself. The dominant performance also gave Trimble a new career-high in rushing yards.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, Pender was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 250 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 217 rushing yards in four consecutive matches.
Despite the loss, Homer saw an underclassman step up: Steve Harris picked up 91 receiving yards and a touchdown. Those 91 receiving yards set a new season-high mark for Harris.
Pender's win was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 4-1. As for Homer, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 1-4.
Pender will challenge Guardian Angels Central Catholic at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Guardian Angels Central Catholic will roll in looking for their fifth straight victory, something Pender surely won't give up without a fight. As for Homer, they will face off against Wisner-Pilger on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
