Eagles pound Yellow Jackets, gear up for New Mexico battle

No one will overlook quarterback Jonn McLain ever again, not after the sophomore of Chadron earned RMAC and Nebraska Division II player of the week honors.

Chadron State piled up 581 offensive yards on their way to defeating the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State 62-14 Saturday at Elliot Field.

McLain threw for 394 yards, rushed for 22 yards, and completed 29 of 34 passes while posting four touchdowns throughout the game. Also, McLain set a new school record by completing 21 consecutive passes in a row.

Senior wide receiver Allan Schmaltz of Rapid City, S.D. broke the game open on the first play with a 48-yard reception. The Eagles then capped off their first drive when McLain rushed eight yards to the end zone scoring the first points of the game.

Then, after a Yellow Jacket punt, the Eagles drove the ball smoothly and scored when McLain hooked up with Schmaltz on a 23-yard pass.

However, on the ensuing drive Black Hills finally found the end zone after a 13-yard pass play that made the score 14-7.

On Chadron’s next possession, a series of penalties halted the Eagles before junior wide receiver Nathan Ross of San Diego, Calif. erupted with an 80-yard reception down the sideline for a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, CSC led 21-7.

After the first quarter, Chadron outscored Black hills 41-7.

Junior half back Glen Clinton of Cody, Wyo., finished with 15 carries for 89 yards and scored the Eagles’ next touchdown on a 1-yard goal line run. Then, before the second quarter ended, McLain found Schmaltz once again, this time for 18 yards which was his second and final touchdown of the game.

“Scoring two TDs and playing well in front of my family and friends was an awesome feeling and it is one I’ll never forget,” senior Allen Schmaltz said.

On Chadron’s first drive of the third quarter, McLain threw his first incompletion. He redeemed himself when he capped the drive off with a 3-yard rushing touchdown.

Later in the quarter, sophomore cornerback Conor Casey of Rapid City, S.D., recorded his fourth interception of the season. He returned this one for 35 yards.

In the final quarter of play, McLain posted his fourth and final touchdown. This time it was for 16 yards to sophomore receiver Austen Stephens of Lincoln. Then, after a forced fumble by senior safety Bryce Huebner of Hershey, Chadron reclaimed the ball and sophomore kicker Alex Ferdinand of Rapid City, S.D., scored later on a 32-yard field goal.

Also, junior safety Trelan Taylor of La Mesa Calif., earned the Beyond Sports Network Special Teams player of the week. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Taylor returned a punt for an 86 yard touchdown which set a new school record.

“The average fan doesn’t pay attention to the kicking game,” Schmaltz said, “but as we always say, it’s the quickest way to victory and the quickest way to lose.”

Ferdinand kicked another field goal late in the game for CSC’s final points.

This Saturday, Chadron State will play New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, N.M.. Highlands is 5-0 in conference play. Kick off is set for 1 p.m.

“This is an important game for both teams since we both have a realistic chance to make a playoff push,” Schmaltz said.