The Class B No. 6 Blair High School football team was well within striking distance through one half Friday night at No. 8 Norris.
Midway through the third quarter, though, the Titans had seized control of their 41-14 win.
“We didn't, obviously, get off to a great start (during the second half),” Bears head coach Bryan Soukup said.
BHS (2-2 overall) opened the third quarter with the ball, but punted after three offensive plays. The punt didn't go far, setting up Norris with a short field, which it converted into a touchdown.
An off-target pitch on the Bears' next possession didn't hit its target either, allowing the Titans to start their second touchdown drive of the half from the road team's 2-yard-line.
“Didn't get off to a great start,” Soukup reiterated. “As much as we could, we tried to get some things going offensively and, unfortunately, it just wasn't our night.”
Blair's lone offensive touchdown of the night came 56 seconds into the fourth quarter. Quarterback Andrew Smutny completed a throw to Blaise Baughman over the middle of the turf field, giving the junior back the chance to rumble down the field for a 57-yard score. The 195-pounder broke tackles along the way, pulling the Bears within 34-14.
Norris had scored 14 points through the first half of play, while BHS had six. Senior Brock Templar scored the Bears' second-quarter points, picking a loose ball off of the turf and returning it 78 yards for a score. It was the prolific runner's 13th overall touchdown of the season.
Coach Soukup's team tied the Titans with that score, but the tie didn't last.
“Sometimes it's just not your night,” Soukup said.
Both Templar and Smutny played quarterback for Blair on Friday in place of injured starter Cooper Sorensen, who wore a sling on the sidelines.
“We miss Cooper, obviously,” Soukup said. “Cooper does a great job as a leader and all of the little things that a quarterback with experience brings to the table.”
Both of the QB's replacements, however, did some productive things Friday, the coach noted.
“Brock did everything he could,” Soukup explained. “It's just not his natural position.”
Smutny threw the touchdown pass, but also had an interception against Norris.
“Whoever we put back there next week, we'll continue to get them ready to go,” Soukup said.
BHS faces Elkhorn North on Friday at Elkhorn High School.
No. 8 NORRIS 41, No. 6 BLAIR 14
BHS (2-2) 0 6 0 8 — 14
NHS (2-2) 6 8 20 7 — 41
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
N: Jarrett Behrends 1-yard run, PAT failed
Second Quarter
B: Brock Templar 78-yard fumble recovery return, PAT failed
N: Alec Small 13-yard pass from Behrends, Chris Garner Jr. 2-point conversion
Third Quarter
N: Crew Moeller 17-yard run, PAT failed
N: Moeller 2-yard run, Evan Greenfield PAT
N: JT Druba 15-yard pass from Behrends, Greenfield PAT
Fourth Quarter
B: Blaise Baughman 57-yard pass from Andrew Smutny, Templar 2-point conversion
N: Anden Papik fumble recovery, Greenfield PAT
