Broncos' Running Game and Defense Key 20-7 Win over Doane

(Crete, NE) – In the first game of the season, Hastings got all of the points they needed in the first half, taking control with a 20-0 halftime lead, en route to a 20-7 victory at rival Doane.

Doane opened the game with a long pass on their second offensive play, getting down to the Hastings 40. Four plays later on fourth and four from the 34 yard line, senior defensive back Gio Mendoza forced the turnover on downs, on a play that resulted in a one-yard loss.

Hastings picked up a first down on their first drive on a five-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jarrett Synek to senior receiver Eli Nappe. The drive ended two plays later on a deep pass interception.

After three more scoreless drives, two of which by Doane, junior running back Kaiden Merryman broke loose for a 23 yard run out to the Hastings 43. Later in the drive junior running back Dalton Armbruster put together an impressive run, spinning out of a tackle and charging forward until he was knocked out of bounds at the Doane six. One play later as they started the second quarter, Merryman put the Broncos on the board with a six-yard touchdown run. Despite the missed extra point, the Broncos led 6-0 at the 14:29 mark.

Facing fourth and two at the Hastings 37, sophomore David Lopez and junior Marquise Keeten stuffed the Tigers to give the ball back to the offense. Hastings ran nine plays and got the ball down to the Doane 32, but opted to punt and pick the Tigers deep at their own nine yard line. Three plays later sophomore linebacker Dawson Kissinger made a diving pick at the Doane eight.

Hastings got shut down at the one on fourth and goal, but with the Doane offense still back against their own endzone, sophomore linebacker Brice Chaplin took advantage of an errant throw, intercepting the pass and taking back for six, putting Hastings up 13-0 after the extra point with 1:54 left in the second quarter.

After a quick three and out by Doane, sophomore defensive back Jaden Williams blocked the punt attempt and senior defensive back Sam Ahl scooped it up, taking it down to the Doane five yard line with 48 seconds left in the half. On second down from the one, Synek rolled out and found freshman tight end Jude Smith for a touchdown, putting the Broncos up 20-0 at halftime.

Hastings outgained the Tigers on offense in the first half, 141-111, in the first half, including 111-48 on the ground. Armbruster had 10 carries for 62 yards and Merryman had eight carries for 49 yards. Synek was seven for 13 passing for 30 yards, with Nappe the leading receiver with two catches for 10 yards. Chaplin, in addition to the pick-six, had a team-high six first half tackles.

On the first drive of the second half, the Broncos fumbled at the Doane 47 and following the Tiger recovery, a deep pass set up first and goal at the two, but Hastings stopped them on four straight plays on the goal line. Hastings fumbled on their first play from their own one, but the defense came up with four more goal line stops.

The Broncos were able to break away from their endzone with a third and nine pass from Synek to senior tight end Jake Bargen for 27 yards. Following a Bronco punt, Doane completed a long pass to the Hastings 22. Doane ended the drive with a 36-yard field goal attempt, but freshman defensive lineman Hudson Devlin blocked the kick to maintain the shutout.

Synek found Nappe for a 20-yard reception, plus 15 yards on a personal foul to get the ball out to the Doane 45. Strong runs by Armbruster got the ball down to the Doane 18, but the drive stalled, as Hastings was unable to convert a fourth and five on their first drive of the fourth quarter, still leading 20-0.

Doane marched their way down the field with a nine-play, 77-yard drive, ending with a one-yard touchdown to get on the board, trailing 20-7 with 8:23 remaining. After a Hastings three-and-out that gave it back to the Tigers with 7:28 remaining, Doane converted one third down, but a few plays later on third-and three from the Hastings 38, senior linebacker Jake Lambert sacked the Tiger quarterback, then a dropped pass on fourth down gave the ball back to the Broncos with 4:08 left.

Merryman and Armbruster picked up four first downs on the ground, allowing Hastings to take a knee to run out the clock with the 20-7 road win.

Doane ended up with more yards of total offense, 341-281, but Hastings racked up 195 yards on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Broncos were able to pick up 19 first downs in the game, surpassing Doane's 15. 

Merryman was the leading rusher with 16 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown, while Armbruster had 20 carries for 103 yards. Synek was 14 for 23 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown. Bargen had two catches for 31 yards and Nappe had three catches for 30 yards. Lambert led the team in tackles with 12, along with nine from Chaplin, who contributed the pick-six.

Up next, Hastings will host Midland in their home-opener on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1pm.