CLASS D-2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Hitchcock County (13-0) 22, Howells-Dodge (12-1) 12
Nebraska HS Football State Championship page

Class D-2 Final1234F
Hitchcock County (13-0)808622
Howells-Dodge (12-1)660012

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
HC – Kenyan Gaston 1 run (Trent Kisker kick)
HD – Lance Brester 6 run (kick failed)

Second Quarter
HD – Jestin Bayer 3 run (kick failed)

Third Quarter
HC – Kisker 45 pass from Gaston (Gaston run)

Fourth Quarter
HC – Drew Scott 1 run (run failed)

Official Game Stats

Hitchcock County (13-0) 22, Howells-Dodge (12-1) 12

It was a daunting task for Hitchcock County to win its first-ever state championship, but a vaunted Falcons defense held firm to pull off a victory over a Howells-Dodge team that had not lost a football game since 2020. A fourth down stand with less than six minutes ago was a major difference in a -12 victory to win the Class D-2 state championship.

With 5:44 remaining, the Falcons held firm on a fourth-and-one attempt to take over on downs. Quarterback Keynan Gaston drove team down with a clutch drive to seal its first state championship when Drew Scott scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with :58 remaining. Gaston finished with 99 yards and totaled two touchdowns in the win.

Hitchcock County, who traveled 251 miles to Memorial Stadium for the championship game, scored just 1:50 into the second half on what appeared to be a potentially game-changing interception. Trent Kisker had other ideas, snagging Gaston’s pass and hauling it 45 yards for a touchdown. Gaston added the point after un to give the Falcons a 16-12 lead. On the ensuing possession for Howells-Dodge, Kisker then recovered a fumble to continue to the swing in momentum.

Trailing 6-0 after an early Gaston touchdown run, Brester got Howells-Dodge on the scoreboard with 1:16 remaining in the first quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run. The point after failed, which left Hitchcock County with an 8-6 lead after the end of one quarter.

Jestin Bayer scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 6:32 left in the first half, giving Howells-Dodge a 12-8 lead following an unsuccessful point after try, which gave the Jaguars a 4-point halftime advantage.

Howells-Dodge were searching for its second state title in a row after combining forces after winning a total of 15 state championships apart and has not lost since 2020. Brester ran for 172 yards in a losing effort for the Jaguars. Bayer recorded 18 tackles for the defense.

Kolyn Gaston was amongst the defensive leaders with 12 tackles, making solid defensive plays in the fourth quarter when Howells-Dodge attempted to pass.