SIDNEY – You couldn’t have asked for much more in a football game than what was on the line in week 8 of the high school football season at Sidney’s Weymouth Field on Friday night. Sidney came into the game with a 3-4 record and needed a win to keep alive hopes of a winning season. Ogallala rolled into Sidney with a 4-3 record and needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. When the battle was done, the Red Raiders aspirations were still alive with a 26-22 Homecoming win over the Indians.

It looked like things might go the Red Raiders way Friday night when Sidney recovered an Ogallala fumble on the sixth play of the game’s opening drive. However, Sidney put the ball on the turf on the very next play and Ogallala picked up where they left off. But Sidney’s defense forced a three and out to get the ball back and started a 10-play scoring drive from their own 19 to take a 7-0 lead.

Ogallala cut into the lead after Sidney quarterback Isak Doty was picked off early in the second period at the Ogallala 43. After a 6-yard run by junior Mario Bush, junior Caden Rezac sprinted around left end for a 49-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed so Sidney maintained their lead 7-6.

The teams traded possessions before Sidney extended their lead with a 5-play drive capped off by an Isak Doty 21-yard touchdown run. Sidney’s two-point conversion failed but the Red Raiders led 13-6. After Sidney led most of the first half, Caden Rezac returned the ensuing kickoff 92-yards and following a successful two-point conversion, Ogallala led 14-13 going into intermission.

But as they have done over the last six games, a determined Red Raider team fought their way back in the second half. The Red Raiders scored on back-to-back drives late in the third period, and early in the fourth for a 26-14 advantage. Ogallala cut into Sidney’s lead with a 47-yard pass from Rezac to Harry Caskey with 3:08 to go in the game. The Indians converted the two-point conversion, but Sidney was able to run the clock out for the 26-22 win

Isak Doty led the Raiders with 122 yards rushing on 18 carries. The junior was also 8 of 16 throwing the ball for 189 yards and one interception. Luke Holly rushed for just 40 yards on 16 carries, but scored three times.

Ogallala will close out the regular season next week when they host Holdrege while Sidney travels to Alliance to battle the Bulldogs.