DEARBORN – It’s been a while since the North Platte (2-1) played in such a highly anticipated football game as it did in the single-digit loss to back-to-back Class 1 State Champion East Buchanan (3-0) on Sept. 8.
Since 2021, East Buchanan has only won two regular season games that were decided by less than 10 points with the 23-14 win over North Platte being the only occasion since barely sneaking past West Platte and its backup quarterback 21-20 on Sept. 24, 2021. The Panthers and the Bulldogs entered the night state ranked in their respective classes.
East Buchanan had won the last five matchups, averaging 54.2 points opposed to North Platte’s 15 points per game in that time frame. The most recent matchup was much more competitive, despite an early deficit.
East Buchanan senior quarterback Gage Busby threw a pair of touchdown passes early to put his team ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. Busby started the night with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mason Brown before having a career long 99.5-yard touchdown pass to Ben Rhoad.
North Platte’s offense didn’t produce any first half points and Liam Servaes was tackled in his own end zone resulting in a Bulldog safety after Jason Shanks had an interception deep in the Panthers’ territory. East Buchanan added a rushing touchdown in the final minute, going into the break with a 23-0 lead.
Despite trailing by three possessions, North Platte came out fighting in the second half and shut out East Buchanan the rest of the way. It took until the fourth quarter, but Dylan Armstrong ran in for a touchdown and 2-point conversion, making the score 23-8 with 10:00 to play.
Later in the fourth quarter, Colton Kirkham found Jaxson Carpenter in the end zone for six. The 2-point conversion was no good and the Bulldogs maintained a two-possession lead with 3:29 remaining.
East Buchanan went on to run out the clock and come out with a 23-14 victory. North Platte will search for its first win in KCI Conference play on the road against Penney (2-1) on Sept. 15.