Adams Central ball carrier Tyler Kirkegaard runs against
Grand Island Central Catholic's Riley Shoemaker during their
Class C-1 playoff game Wednesday at Adams Central.
Defense carried Adams Central's football team to a perfect record during the regular season.
On Wednesday, in the second round of the Class C-1 playoffs, AC's defense dominated the first three quarters as the Patriots built a 12-0 lead.
Then, the C-1 top-ranked Patriots hung on — defeating Grand Island Central Catholic 12-6 in game that wasn't decided until the final 90 seconds when Adams Central recovered a GICC fumble.
"It was very exciting for the fans," AC coach Bill Carlin said. "It was about a heart-stopper for me, though."
With the win, the Patriots (10-0) will host sixth-ranked Kearney Catholic (10-0) in the quarterfinals 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Stars advanced with a 41-0 win over Broken Bow in the second round.
In Wednesday's game at Adams Central, a rematch of a game during that regular season that AC rallied from a halftime deficit to win 36-6, the Crusaders (7-3) came roaring back after managing only one first down and 39 total yards through the first three quarters.
To read more, see Thursday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
