Indians Blank Raiders 26-0

Sidney’s Red Raider football team suffered another home loss, their second in a row where they were unable to score, making it three shut out losses at home on the year as they fell 26-to-0 to the Ogallala Indians Friday night at Weymouth Field in Sidney.

Ogallala received the ball first, and both teams had trouble moving the ball and traded punts through the opening minutes of the contest. Ogallala was finally able to get into Sidney territory on a long pass completion that brought them to the Sidney 44 yard line. A few plays later, Ogallala junior Cameron Zink broke away and rushed 4o yards for a touchdown, and after the point after attempt was blocked by senior Tucker Meyer, the Indians had a 6-to-0 lead.

Both teams were getting heated with late hits and after-play skirmishes, which continued for most of the game. Sidney’s next possession ended with a punt, and Ogallala started to drive again. As the second quarter started, Ogallala hit pay dirt with a 10 yard touchdown pass, and a two point attempt was successful to extend the Indians’ lead to 14-to-0. After driving the ball and getting into Ogallala territory on a long pass from freshman quarterback Isak Doty to sophomore Micah Schneider, the Red Raiders looked to get into the end zone. But the Ogallala defense held firm, forcing a field goal attempt by junior Connor Hartzler which was wide left.

After the missed field goal, on their second play Zink broke out again, this time running 75 yards for the touchdown, putting the Indians up 20-to-0 after a missed point after attempt. Sidney fired back with a great kickoff return by freshman Luke Holly all the way out to the Sidney 45 yard line. But again the Raiders were forced to punt, and their frustration boiled over at the end of the Ogallala return as a brawl broke out between the teams, and after the referees stepped in to separate the players, Sidney senior Zack Burke and Ogallala junior Merritt Skinner were ejected from the game for fighting. Ogallala continued to drive until they faced a 3-and-18, and tried a pass that slipped through the receiver’s hands but continued and was caught by the deep receiver, junior Ayden Halligan, and he sprinted to the end zone to make the score 26-to-0 and effectively end the game.

The second half had both teams struggle to move the ball and traded penalties and punts, with substitions starting early for Ogallala then increasing for both teams in the fourth quarter. The game ended with a final score of 26-to-0, Sidney’s third time being shut out at home this year. Sidney falls to 2-and-6 on the season, and ends the campaign next week traveling to Mitchell to take on the 7-and-1 Tigers.