Cowboys Improve To 2-0 With Home Win Over Poplar
The Culbertson Cowboys improved their record to 2-0 with a 52-14 home victory over Poplar at home on Saturday, Sept. 4. “Overall, I was happy with the outcome,” Culbertson Coach Brian Manning said. “Several young guys did some good things.”
He noted that Culbertson’s offensive and defensive lines were dominant in the victory. Other players standing out included Payton Perkins and Kobe Nickoloff on offense and freshman Reese Moon on defense.
“It was a great team effort,” Manning said.
Culbertson struck on its opening drive when Nickoloff made a diving catch of a pass from Perkins in the end zone for a 39-yard scoring play. Perkins passed to James Kirkaldie for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.
After a 42-yard punt return by Nickoloff, the Cowboys scored on their next possession when fullback Justice Bengochea ran in from the six with 5:18 left in the first quarter. Perkins connected with Kirkaldie on the conversion for a 16-0 lead.
Poplar’s next possession was stopped when Ethan Pirkle made a tackle on a fourth-down play short of the needed yardage.
The Indians’ defense was able to keep the score at 16-0 until Culbertson put together a 43-yard scoring drive in the second period. Capping the drive was a three-yard run by Perkins with 2:17 left in the half. Perkins passed to Pirkle for the conversion and a 24-0 margin.
Poplar ended the half on a strong note when William Youngman connected with Adrien Matuck on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds left in the half. W. Youngman, a sophomore, ran in the conversion to pull the Indians to 24-8.
Culbertson accounted for 28 points in the third quarter to put the contest away.
Nickoloff opened the second half by returning the kickoff 62 yards for a touchdown. Perkins ran in the twopoint conversion.
Poplar responded by driving inside Culbertson territory, but the threat ended due to a tackle for loss by Bengochea and a pass break-up by Moon.
Nickoloff, a junior, then broke away for a 60-yard touchdown run With 9:16 remaining in the period.
The Indians added a score with a 44-yard drive highlighted by the scrambling ability of W. Youngman along with passes to Canaan Boyd and Mitchell Youngman. Poplar scored on a three-yard run by W. Youngman for a 40-14 margin with 6:05 left in the quarter.
The Cowboys responded quickly with a 33-yard dash by Perkins at the 4:56 mark.
Moon then accounted for the first of his two interceptions in the contest. The Cowboys went on to score on a 19-yard run by Perkins to put the margin at 52-14 with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter.
Leading Culbertson’s running attack with Perkins with 98 yards and Nickoloff with 85 yards.
The Cowboys will host Forysth on Friday, Sept. 10.
Bengochea
Culbertson’s Justice Bengochea breaks loose for a gain against Poplar on Saturday, Sept. 4. The Cowboys will host Forsyth Friday, Sept. 10.( Photo by Bill Vander Weele)
