Mount Marty Rallies to Beat Broncos 24-21
(Hastings, NE) – The Hastings Broncos led early, but could not hold onto their 13-7 halftime lead, losing 24-21 in their season finale against the Mount Marty Lancers.
On Mount Marty's second drive, sophomore defensive back Josiah Aldridge picked off the Lancer pass, setting up a 31-yard field goal from senior Xander Salyers.
Hastings forced a Mount Marty punt to close the first quarter, freshman quarterback Cassius Campbell connected with junior tight end Jake Bargen for a 26-yard gain, then Campbell's 160-yard completion to junior receiver Eli Nappe set up the Broncos with first-and-goal at the Lancer 2-yard line. On the next play, sophomore Josh Ray punched it in on the 2-yard yard to put the Broncos up 2-0.
Freshman David Lopez came up with a big sack on fourth down to thwart the next Mount Marty drive. Later in the second quarter, Salyers converted a 33-yard field goal to go up 13-0. The Lancers responded with a seven-play, 50-yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to 13-7 at halftime.
On Hastings' opening drive of the second half, they went three-and-out, but fumbled on the punt, giving the Lancers the ball at the Broncos 10-yard line. Mount Marty punched it in three plays later to take a 14-13 lead.
After a Bronco punt, Mount Marty marched down the field with mostly runs and capped off the scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to add on to the lead at 21-13.
While Hastings didn't score on their next drive, they pinned the Lancers deep in their own territory. Junior defensive lineman Gavin White got to the quarterback on third down to force a punt and give Hastings great field possession. Mount Marty also came up with a critical sack on third down to keep the Broncos out of field goal range.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Lancers kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it a two-possession game, 24-13. Freshman running back Chris Hunter entered the game and had some excellent runs, including a 33-yard run. A few plays later, Campbell hit Nappe for a 35-yard touchdown pass and Ray converted the two-point conversion, as Hastings cut the deficit to 24-21 with five minutes to go.
Mount Marty got a first down on their next possession, but Hastings forced a punt with two minutes left with a chance to tie the game with a field goal. On 4th-and-10, sophomore quarterback Carson Kudlacek scrambled for a 10-yard run to keep the drive alive. Mount Marty closed out the game with an interception in the final seconds to seal the 24-21 win.
Campbell was 10-17 for 121 yards and a touchdown, Ray had 14 carries for yards and Hunter added five carries for 44 yards. Nappe was the leading receiver with six catches for 80 yards. Senior linebacker Jayden Roberts led the team defensively with 12 tackles and two tackles for loss, including a sack.
The loss gives Hastings a 2-9 record to end their 2024 season.