NEODESHA – When push came to shove, Humboldt’s line – offensive and defensive – did the shoving here Friday night as the Cubs ran their season-opening win streak to three with an 18-7 decision over the Blue Streaks.
The victory wasn’t picturesque, but, as Coach Logan Wyrick, said: “A win is a win is a win.”
And there was little doubt after the Cubs waded through what at times was a bit of a lackluster first half.
Neodesha scored first, taking control of the ball when the Cubs went for first down on fourth and five from their own 25, and failed to reach the yard marker. Jacob Baker, with Neodesha keying on the compact power-running tailback, was stopped for a gain of three yards. The Streaks lost a yard on the first play, but then picked up a first down on a 14-yard scurry. They scored five plays later, and booted the PAT for a 7-0 lead at the 3:21 point of the first period.
Thirteen minutes later — to the second — Hesston Murrow got Humboldt on the scoreboard with a heady play.
Neodesha punted and Conor Haviland, fleet-footed sophomore, was hit a nanosecond after the ball arrived. It squirted to the ground, and an official tossed a marker, which some players may have mistaken for a flag.
Murrow didn’t. He snatched up the pigskin and dashed 65 yards down the visitors’ sideline for a touchdown.
As time waned in the first half, it appeared Humboldt would take the lead.
Neodesha meant to punt and Humboldt grabbed a fumble on the attempt, giving it the ball at the home-standing eleven’s 25. Murrow and Barker, coupled with a five-yard penalty to Humboldt’s advantage, gave the Cubs a sterling opportunity at the one. But, as occurred in an identical situation a week ago against Cherryvale, a faulty exchange with the center stopped the Cubs. Time expired before Neodesha could anything of consequence.
Then came what statistically was the best defensive half a Humboldt team has played in many a moon.
Neodesha was limited to one yard on five rushes and 17 passing yards on three of five aerials in the second half, an exhibition so thorough it borders on being mind-boggling.
Meanwhile, Humboldt hammered away on the backs — and legs — of Barker and Murrow.
Murrow gave the Cubs the lead, at 12-7, on a two-yard thrust at 7:45 in the third. Haviland completed Humboldt’s scoring at 7:05 in the fourth when he dashed into the end zone from 16 yards out.
But it was the three yards – or four or five or six – and a cloud of dust play after play that turned the game completely Humboldt’s way on offense, coupled the stifling defensive effort.
For the game, Humboldt collected 291 yards rushing. Barker bulled and twisted and somersaulted his way to 137 yards on 32 carries; Murrow, just as acrobatic and with deceptive speed tossed in 125 yards on 18 carries.
