#9 Omaha Creighton Prep got to 2-0 against Omaha Central and once again proved their refusal to back down in the face of adversity.  Despite being down 17-10 at half and 20-17 in the 4th quarter, the Junior Jays refused to lose.

The game started off with a 63 yard touchdown from the Eagles’ quarterback, Abraham Hoskins III.  Prep made a long drive, but it stalled out in the red zone and last week’s hero, Pat Foley, put his kick through the uprights to make it 7-3.

After a long run by Eagles running back Deanthony Bridgeford-Jackett at the end of the first quarter, Central was set up well, but could only add 3 points to their lead.  

Prep drove right back down and  senior quarterback John Coniglio connected with Mason Armstead in the end zone for the second time this season.  Central tried to get another field goal, but the kick hit the upright and was no good. However, Prep moved backwards and after a smash mouth drive from Central, Hoskins III scored his second touchdown.  

Despite the Eagles getting the ball after halftime, the Junior Jays were still only down 7 after a great defensive stop.  Vinny Cacioppo finally plunged in from the 4 to tie the game at 17.  

It got chippy on Central’s next drive, leading to an unsportsmanlike conduct flag on Prep, but once again, the defense held and Central was forced to settle for another field goal at the end of the third quarter.

After back to back punts, Prep drove down the field and Coniglio threw his second score of the game to Joe Boulay.  

Prep led for the first time all game, and now what they needed was one more stop.  

They got it after 2 penalties on North and an incompletion, and the offense was able to run out the clock and move the Junior Jays to 2-0. 

Prep’s offense was led by Coniglio, who went 14-21, threw for 170 yards and 2 scores and added 106 yards (on just 16 carries) on the ground.  He had help in the rushing department from Vinny Cacioppo (8 carries, 62 yards, and a TD) and AJ Collins (11 carries, 43 yards). The leading receiver was Mason Armstead, who had 5 catches for 58 yards and a score.  In total, Prep’s offense was hungry this game, and ate to the tune of 374 total yards.

Central’s offense was almost as productive, garnering 350 total yards.  Quarterback Abraham Hoskins III was 16-28 for 147 yards, and he also added 107 yards and 2 scores on the ground.  Running back Deanthony Bridgeford-Jackett added 10 carries for 65 yards. Bridgeford-Jackett also added 8 catches for 44 yards.  However, one big problem was that Central entered the red zone 3 times and only scored once. 

Next week Prep will travel to Lincoln to play the 0-2 Lincoln High Links (last game: 47-7 loss to Grand Island).  Central will welcome the Omaha Burke Bulldogs (last game: 24-7 loss to Millard West), who lost their first game since the 2018 season. 

Both Prep and Central proved a lot last game and will be dangerous opponents in the playoffs, but in the end, it was the Junior Jays who clipped the Eagles’ wings.