Beatrice dominates Seward

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BY KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

BEATRICE — The fact that the Beatrice offensive line was doing well was clear to Beatrice backup quarterback Phil McClure.

“The offensive line is doing such a great job, I think I was touched just once, and that was on a run,” said McClure, who hit 6-of-7 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown to add to a Beatrice 57-14 victory over Seward on Thursday night at Athletic Park.

“The offense worked hard on executing the plays and the line blocked better than ever,” McClure said. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to go against our defense. They hit and they are really fast.”

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Nick Bell (9) of Beatrice runs through the grasp of Seward's Nathan Broeker during Thursday's game. (GWYNETH ROBERTS)

Nick Bell (9) of Beatrice runs through the grasp of Seward's Nathan Broeker during Thursday's game. (GWYNETH ROBERTS)

Class B No. 2-ranked Beatrice scored on seven of eight possessions — the only time the Orangemen had the ball and didn’t score was at the Seward 22-yard line as the first half ended.

Seward saw Beatrice starting quarterback Justin Coleman run a five-play initial scoring drive that started on the Bluejay 21 after a 61-yard punt return by James Rivers.

Coleman played at tailback, wide receiver, back to quarterback, then defensive back.

Along the way, Coleman rushed for 47 yards, threw a 22-yard touchdown pass, caught a 42-yard pass from McClure and scored on a touchdown run. Nick Bell led Beatrice in scoring with two touchdowns and six extra-point kicks.

“I think we learned we have a good first unit,” said Beatrice coach Bob Sexton. “We need to build depth, and tonight we had the opportunity to play a lot of people and they stepped in and gave us a lot of quality minutes.

“McClure made some very nice reads at quarterback, and he made some good throws, too,” Sexton said. “I thought Garrett Bruhn had another outstanding game, and our safeties, James Rivers and Logan Wrightsman played well.”

Bruhn scored on a 22-yard pass from Coleman after Jace Bowhay recovered a Seward fumble. The Bluejays lost three fumbles and had two interceptions in the first half; Beatrice converted four of the turnovers into scores.

Bruhn and Wrightsman each intercepted a pass.

“They were playing the deep routes and came back for some very good interceptions,” Sexton said.

The Beatrice defense dominated the game as the Orangemen built a 50-0 lead with 8:17 left in the third quarter.

Seward did rally with two scores in the second half when Chase Koch threw for a touchdown and ran for another.

Sexton said he was pleased his team worked so hard in practices this week.

“This is a focused group and we have very good senior leadership — they know what it takes.”

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.