Poplar Drops Game To Cowboys
By Bill Vander Weele
The Poplar Indians looked much sharper offensively than in the first week as they were outscored in Culbertson, 52-14, on Saturday, Sept. 4.
“When you pass as much as we did, you will have some big plays,” Poplar Coach Joe Hammar said.
The Indians gave up too many explosive plays on the defensive end, but the young team appears to be heading in the right direction.
“We’re definitely looking better and better each week,” Hammar said.
After Culbertson gained a 24-0 lead late in the first half, the Indians responded with an excellent kickoff return by Mitchell Youngman and a 45-yard scoring drive. The scrambling ability of quarterback William Youngman led the Indians to the Culbertson 28.
W. Youngman then connected with Kameron Reum with a first down at the 14. On second down at the 15, W. Youngman hit Adrien Matuck with a touchdown pass. W. Youngman ran in the conversion to pull Poplar to 24-8.
Culbertson accounted for 28 points in the third quarter to put the contest away.
Kobe Nickoloff opened the second half by returning the kickoff 62 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Peyton Perkins ran in the two-point conversion.
Poplar responded by driving inside Culbertson territory, but the threat ended due to a tackle for loss by Justice Bengochea and a pass breakup by Reese 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.
W. Youngman had an outstanding game with 114 yards rushing and 71 yards passing.
Poplar will travel to Lodge Grass on Friday, Sept. 10.
