SYLVAN GROVE-Lane Homewood scored three touchdowns including one on defense as the Sylvan-Lucas Mustangs held off a late push by Central Plains to defeat the Oilers 26-14 at Weatherman Field Friday night and keep their perfect record intact.
The Mustangs accepted the opening kickoff after Central Plains deferred and drove 65 yards in four plays with Brody Batchman’s 50-yard run setting up first and goal on the Oilers four-yard line. Two plays later Homewood scored from two yards out but the twopoint conversion failed and Sylvan-Lucas led 6-0.
Central Plains answered the Mustang score with a six play, 51-yard drive of its own with Eli Hurley scoring from one yard out but the score remained tied 6-6 after the two-point play was no good.
After the Oilers stopped Sylvan-Lucas on downs on their next two drives, Central Plains appeared ready to grab the lead when Quarterback Brody Crites was intercepted by Homewood who returned the pick 43 yards for a score and the two-point conversion was good, giving Sylvan-Lucas a 14-6 advantage after the first quarter. That was also the halftime score as neither team scored in the second quarter.
An errant punt by Central Plains in the third quarter set Sylvan-Lucas up on the Oiler 20-yard line and five plays later Homewood scored on a one-yard run to increase the lead to 20-6 after three quarters. Connor Charvat, one of several transfers from Wilson now playing for Sylvan-Lucas scored from nine yards out a little over a minute into the fourth stanza to widen the margin to 26-6. Central Plains took advantage of a blocked punt to set up shop on the Sylvan-Lucas fouryard line and on a third down play, Crites connected with Hunter Klima for a four-yard touchdown pass to pull the Oilers to within 26-14. However, the onsides kick was recovered by Sylvan-Lucas and the Mustangs from there ran out the clock to pick up their fifth victory of the season without a defeat.
Sylvan-Lucas outgained Central Plains 197 to 145 and rolled up 164 of those yards on the ground. Batchman was Sylvan-Lucas’ leading rusher with 61 yards on four carries before sitting out the entire second half. Homewood rushed for 55 yards and two offensive scores. Eli Hurley led Central Plains (3-2, 0-2 in District Play) with 60 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown.
Sylvan-Lucas (5-0, 2-0 in District Play) will have an open date next week. The Mustangs who are off to their best start since 2017, return to action on Friday, October 13 when they host Victoria in a showdown that could determine the District 5 championship. Central Plains will return home to host Otis-Bison on Friday, October 6 with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
