(Peru, Neb.) – The Hastings Broncos scored 25 unanswered points – all in the second half – to claim the season opener over the visiting Peru State Bobcat football team.
 
The Bobcats had taken a 21-0 lead into halftime only to see Hastings rally for 16 points in the third and adding nine more in the fourth for the victory.
 
Hastings starts the season 1-0 while Peru State is 0-1. This was a non-conference match-up for the teams representing the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart).
 
First Quarter Action
 
Neither team was able to move the ball on their first possession of the game.
 
On Peru State's second possession, DeOndrae Mayo (Ocala, Fla.) carried the ball four straight times with the last time giving the 'Cats a first down in Hastings territory at the 43-yard line. Dan Boshart (Wood River) found Justin Pool (Holton, Kan.) for six-yard pass and then Pool carried for three more yards to the 34-yard line. On the next play, Mayo went for pay dirt to put the Bobcats up 6-0. The PAT by John Brady (Hickman) was good and the 'Cats led 7-0 with 9:57 left in the first quarter.
The Broncos' next possession resulted in no score as the Bobcats stopped them on Peru State's 13-yard line. The Bobcats had a similar experience on their next drive as they moved the ball to the Hastings' three-yard line before being stopped.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Once again Hastings moved the ball down the field on the Bobcats, but Desmond Stirgus (Raytown, Mo.) forced a fumble which was recovered by Jordan Willis (Denver) at Peru State's eight-yard line.
 
It only took the Bobcats one play to put their second score on the board as Boshart and Pool connected for what would be a 92-yard touchdown play. Pool had around 50 yards after the catch and made the dive into the end zone for the score. Brady's kick was good and Peru State led 14-0 with 5:50 remaining in the first half.
 
The teams traded four different possessions before Stephen Bowers (Papillion) came up with a big play as he intercepted a Bronco pass and returned it 21 yards to the Hastings 26-yard line.

 
With 25 seconds remaining the Bobcats had to go into hurry mode. Boshart found Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) for 22 yards to put the ball on the four-yard line. After a timeout, Mason Smith (Grain Valley, Mo.) moved the ball to the one-yard line. With six ticks on the clock, Audsley went in for the score. Brady's PAT was good and after the kickoff, the 'Cats took a 21-0 lead into the half.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Broncos got the ball first in the second half and put together their first scoring drive, but it was only a 28-yard field goal. Peru State still led 21-3 with 12:47 left in the third period.
 
The Bobcats did move the ball into Hastings territory on their opening drive in the second half, but a short punt gave the Broncos the ball on their 32-yard line. Thirteen plays and 68 yards later, Hastings scored and cut the deficit to 21-10 with 4:43 left in the third.
 
Hastings forced a three and out making the Bobcats punt. While Peru State had a much better punt of 43 yards, the Broncos returned the ball 47 yards to the Bobcats' 25-yard line. It only took Hastings two plays to score. The PAT was blocked, but the Broncos were within five at 21-16 with 2:30 left in the quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
On a drive that had started near the end of the third stanza, Peru State had moved the ball into the Bronco side of the field, but were eventually forced to punt. A bad snap forced a Bobcat fumble on the punt and Hastings had great starting position at the Bobcat 24-yard line.
 
Three plays later, the Broncos took a 22-21 lead with 12:01 left in the game.
 
A fumble thwarted the next Peru State drive which eventually resulted in Hastings going 34 yards down the field and finished with a 23-yard field goal to stretch their lead to 25-21. There was still plenty of time in the game for the Bobcats as they started their next drive at the 5:40 mark.
 
Peru State could not get anything going on their possession, but did force the Broncos out in four plays on their last drive.
 
The Bobcats would eventually get their final chance with 2:50 remaining in the contest while starting on their 17-yard line. Hastings was called for a pass interference to start the series. Then, after two incomplete passes, new quarterback Joey Dominguez (Von Ormy, Texas) carried for nine yards. After a timeout with fourth and one, Tajh Eaddy (Spencerport, N.Y.) got two yards for the first down. After an incomplete pass, Eaddy then went for 11 yards out to the Bobcat 38-yard line and another first down. Three plays later, Dominguez found Jeremy Kaleikini (Brigham City, Utah) for 11 yards at the Hastings 37-yard line. This was after a pass went just above the receiver's hands inside the five-yard line. Three incomplete passes later, the Broncos had won the game.

HASTINGS GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Statistically the game was a close as the final score with the Bobcats having a slight edge in total yardage – 370 to 325. The Broncos finished with 20 first downs while Peru State finished with 16.
 
Peru State's 370 total yards came with 224 rushing and 146 passing while Hastings had 163 yards rushing and 162 yards passing.
 
Each team had one turnover as the 'Cats lost a fumble and Hastings gave up an interception.
 
The game was pretty clean in terms of penalties as the Bobcats were whistled for four penalties and 35 yards while the Broncos only had one penalty of ten yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Eleven different Bobcats carried the ball against the Broncos. Mayo was the leading rusher with 54 yards on seven carries with one touchdown. Boshart gained 48 yards on 12 carries with Smith added 44 yards on eight carries. Eaddy added 39 yards with Audsley finishing with 32.
 
Boshart finished the game connecting on six of eight passes for 135 yards and one touchdown. Dominguez had the final series in which he was having to throw and made one of nine passes for 11 yards.
 
Pool had two catches for 98 yards and one touchdown. Audsley also added two receptions for 22 yards.
Special Team Statistics
 
Sinai Mandungu (Lincoln) had four punts averaging 31.8 yards with a long of 43. Brady averaged 63 yards on four kickoffs.
 
Audsley had three kickoff returns for 13 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Bowers led the team defensively and had a fine night as he finished with eight tackles – seven of which were solo. He added one sack for a loss of three yards and also had the game's lone interception and returned it 21 yards.
 
Tommy Hope (Ridgecrest, Calif.) had six solo tackles and one tackle for a loss of two yards. Dylan King (Vancouver, Wash.) had five solo tackles while Luis Constantino (Varzea Grande, Brazil) added five tackles – four of which were solo. King also forced a fumble as did Stirgus.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will have their bye week next week before heading to Fayette, Mo., to face Central Methodist on Sept. 8. This will be the first of ten Heart games. The Eagles will start their season on Sept. 1 when they face Culver-Stockton (Mo.) on the road.
 
Peru State's first home game will on Sept. 15 when they host Evangel (Mo.) in a 1 p.m. contest. During halftime, the annual Swenson Awards presentation will take place.