Necedah picks up Homecoming win over WC

Wonewoc-Center's Stewart Thompson knocks down a pass intended for Necedah's Brett Jump during the first half of Necedah's 55-24 win on Friday.

By David Paradise
Star-Times Sports Editor

The Necedah Cardinals hosted the Wonewoc-Center Indians on Friday for their Homecoming game.

Necedah got off to a bit of a slow start, as the Indians were able to force a quick three and out.

WC took over and picked up a couple first downs, on runs by Stewart Thompson and Travis Kaus, before Kaus threw a long pass that hit Jay Weiss in stride, and gave WC a first and goal on the Cardinals' two yard line.

Necedah's defense stiffened and stopped three straight attempts, before Kaus was able to get into endzone and give the Indians a 6-0 lead with 6:33 left in the first quarter.

The score woke up the Cardinals who needed just two plays, a 17 yard run by Ethan Quinter and a 36 yard touchdown run by Errik Manning, and just over a minute to tie the game at 6-6.

Necedah's defense wouldn't let the Indians offense get moving and forced a quick punt.

The Kaus punt pinned the Cardinals inside their own five, before Manning broke a long run out to the 47.

The Cardinals couldn't capitalize on the explosive play, fumbling on the next play, and the Indians recovered.

WC was forced into another quick three and out, and Necedah turned it into a quick four play, 80 yard drive.

Manning's second touchdown of the opening quarter, this one from 26 yards out, was set up by a 42 yard run by Quinter.

The Cardinals' defense forced another quick three and out and a nice punt return by Brett Jump gave Necedah the ball inside WC territory.

After a combination of Quinter and Manning runs, Jump was able to take a reverse down the sideline 28 yards to the endzone, giving Necedah a 19-6 lead with 9:18 left in the first half.

WC offense couldn't find their rhythm and punted again.

Will Van Lannen was able to get the Cardinals moving again with a tough 23 yard run.

A pair of complete Zach Mach passes gave Necedah the ball inside on the WC six yard line, and Quinter found the endzone, giving Necedah a 27-6 lead with 5:46 left in the half.

The Cardinals were able to get another score on the board in the final minute of the half, when Van Lannen scored from 12 yards out.

The teams traded touchdowns in the second half. Quinter put Necedah up 41-6, with a 52 yard touchdown run.

WC  answered when Kaus found Justin Feight for a 27 yard touchdown pass and catch.

The Cardinals were able to the score through the air, when Manning took a Mach pass 34 yards to the endzone, that gave Necedah a 48-12 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Kaus threw two more touchdown passes in the fourth, one to Stewart Thompson and another to Feight, Danny Lowe added a 30 yard touchdown run for Necedah, as the Cardinals won 55-24.

Necedah improved to 3-1 in the Scenic Bluffs Conference (SBC) and 5-1 overall. WC dropped to 1-3 in the SBC and 2-4 overall.

WC  was led by Kaus with 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and 183 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Necedah was led by the backfield tandem of Manning and Quinter.

Manning finished with 150 yards rushing, 50 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

Quinter had 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 12 carries.

Necedah will try to improve to 4-1 in the SBC on Friday, when they travel to Cashton to face the winless Eagles.

WC  will try to knock off New Lisbon (5-1 overall, 3-1 SBC) on Friday at home.