HUMBOLDT — It was another tough night for the Humboldt High Cubs’ football team as it fell to 0-3 on the season in a 39-7 homefield loss to the Neodesha High Bluestreaks.
Neodesha came out swinging, putting up 33 unanswered points in the first half. The Bluestreaks added six more points in the third period.
The ground game was the Achilles’ heal for the Cubs, giving up 371 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
The Cubs’ offense didn’t do the team any favors either, scoring the only Humboldt touchdown in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of reach. The Cubs’ lone score came off a nine-yard rushing touchdown by Noah Thornbrugh.
Despite the loss, Humboldt head coach Mike Miller said the team improved its play from last week’s 46-23 loss to Eureka.
“The score really wasn’t indicative of how we really played,” he said. “We dropped a couple touchdown passes in the first half and gave up some big plays on third downs. If you take those away, it was a pretty good game at half.”
Leading defensive players for the Cubs were Ryan Gean with 14 tackles and Jud Hawley with 12. Offensive standouts were Thornbrugh with 44 rushing yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Nathan Whitcomb struggled moving the ball through the air, going seven for 21 for 18 yards and one interception.
Next week the Cubs will try for their first win against the Fredonia High Yellowjackets in Humboldt.
Humboldt 0-0-0-7—7
Neodesha 13-20-6-0—39
Neodesha — Powell 4 yd-run (kick failed)
Neodesha — Baird 36-yd run (Giernann kick)
Neodesha — Crawford 20-yd run (Giernann kick)
Neodesha — Dierks 18-yd run (Giernann kick)
Neodesha — Dierks 64-yd interception return (kick failed)
Neodesha — James 3-yd run (kick failed)
Humboldt — Thornbrugh 9-yd run (kick good)
Humboldt Neodesha
First downs 4 17
Rushes-yds 14-69 40-371
Passing yds 18 10
Total Offense 87 381
Passing 7-21-1 1-6-1
Fumbles-lost 1/1 5/2
Punts-Avg. 5-22 1-33
Penalties-yds 2-20 9-8
