WEBSTER – After scoring just eight points through four games coming into the night, the Webster Bearcats put 32 on the board on Friday en route to a 32-26 football win over Aberdeen Roncalli.
The Bearcats took advantage of big play opportunities and capitalized on Cavalier miscues on their way to victory.
“We couldn’t get off the field on third down when we needed to, and we couldn’t make plays on offense in critical moments,” said Roncalli coach Billy Young. “It was just not a good night all around.”
Webster’s defense finished the night with three takeaways in the game, two of which led to critical scores for the Bearcats. Jeron McCreary was the first to find the end zone, scoring on an 18-yard run in the opening quarter.
Roncalli, however, answered almost immediately when Ian Kramer caught a 15-yard scoring strike from Austin Fisher that made it an 8-8 game.
Webster returned the ensuing kickoff down inside the Cavalier 10-yard line, then recovered its own fumble in the endzone four plays later to establish a lead it would not relinquish the rest of the night.
The Cavaliers stayed within striking distance, however, getting two touchdowns on the ground from freshman Brock Bowman, including a 4-yarder on the first play of the second quarter.
But for every touchdown the Cavaliers scored, they couldn’t convert on the 2-point attempt, allowing Webster – which went 4-for-4 on 2-point conversions – to inch away.
Roncalli was also playing without the services of Luke Kaiser, who was injured in the opening moments of the game.
“We lost one of our top playmakers on the opening kickoff,” Young said. “Probably out for the season, so add that to the list of the eight or nine other guys that are hurt right now. Not been a good year for that kind of stuff.”
Still, the Cavaliers put up four touchdowns on the day, two from Bowman, one from Kramer and the final one a Jett Johnson catch-and-run on a slant with under four minutes to play in the game that put the Cavaliers within one possession of the lead.
Roncalli tried for an onside kick, but couldn’t recover the ball in bounds, leaving Webster to run out the clock after getting a couple first downs.
“They’re a well-coached, physical football team,” Young said of the Bearcats. “They’ve kind of been kicked around a little bit this year, but they were motivated. All you can do is tip your hat to them and move on to the next one.”
Webster got a pair of second-half touchdowns from Gage Baumgarn, who carried the bulk of the team’s offense in that second half.
Roncalli will host Groton next Friday at Dacotah Bank Stadium.
“It’s always a fun rivalry game, and it’s homecoming,” Young said. “Both teams will be motivated, for sure.”
Aberdeen Roncalli (1-5) 8 6 0 12 – 26
Webster (1-4) 16 0 8 8 – 32
First Quarter
WEB – Jeron McCreary 18 run (Matthew Mount run).
AR – Ian Kramer 15 pass from Austin Fisher (conversion good).
WEB – Fumble rec. in endzone (conversion good).
Second Quarter
AR – Brock Bowman 4 run (run failed).
Third Quarter
WEB – Gage Baumgarn 4 run (Baumgarn run).
Fourth Quarter
AR – Bowman 4 run (run failed).
WEB – Baumgarn 11 run (Baumgarn run).
AR – Jett Johnson pass from Fisher (run failed).
