The Ord Chanticleers are headed back to the Class C2 semifinals after surviving a playoff battle for the ages Friday night, defeating the Cedar Catholic Trojans 27–21 in a hard-fought quarterfinal in Hartington. It was a classic postseason clash — physical, emotional, and filled with big plays — and the Chanticleers’ resilience carried them through.
Cedar Catholic struck first with a 24-yard touchdown run, but Ord quickly answered when Jordan Williams connected with Colton Thompson for a spectacular 79-yard touchdown pass, knotting the score at 7–7 to end the first quarter.
The Chanticleers gained control in the second quarter. Williams powered in from one yard out to give Ord the lead, and Beau Wells capped a steady drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to extend it to 21–7 at halftime.
Cedar Catholic mounted a rally after the break, cutting the lead to 21–14 in the third and tying the game midway through the fourth with a 35-yard touchdown pass. But with the pressure mounting, Ord delivered in the clutch. Williams found Landon Critel on a double move streaking down the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown pass, putting the Chanticleers back on top 27–21 with just minutes to play. The defense did the rest, forcing a turnover on downs to seal the victory.
Williams turned in another all-around performance, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 130 yards and another score. Thompson was huge in the passing game, hauling in five receptions for 152 yards, including his long first-quarter score. Critel added 53 yards and the game-winning touchdown, while Wells rushed for 63 yards and a key score.
Ord’s defense came up big when it mattered most, forcing two turnovers and holding the Trojans to just 87 passing yards. Haydin Nelson, Caden Lytle, Colton Thompson, Jordan Williams, and Howard Winkelbauer anchored a defense that made critical stops down the stretch.
“This was a total team win,” Head Coach Wells said. “Cedar Catholic is a tough football team, and our kids just kept battling. They showed heart, composure, and belief in each other — that’s what playoff football is about.”
With the victory, the Chanticleers improve to 8–3 on the season and advance to the Class C2 semifinals, where they’ll face Grand Island Central Catholic for the second time this year next Friday night at 7:00 P.M. at Grand Island Senior High.
Game Leaders
Ord Chanticleers
Passing: J. Williams - 7/12, 205 Yds 2 Td
Rushing: J. Williams - 28 Att, 130 Yds, 1 Td, B. Wells - 15 Att, 63 Yds 1 Td, H. Nelson - 9 Att, 32 Yds
Receiving: C. Thompson - 5 Rec, 151 Yds, 1 Td, L. Critel - 2 Rec, 53 Yds, 1 Td
Tackling: J. Williams - 8 Tkls, H. Nelson - 8 Tkls, H. Winkelbauer - 8 Tkls, C. Lytle - 7 Tkls, C. Thompson - 6 Tkls, B. Wells - 4 Tkls, J. Trejo- 4 Tkls, L. Critel 4 Tkls, K. Nelson - 3 Tkls
Takeaways: Caden Lytle Fr, K. Nelson Fr
Kicking: C. Meyer - 3/4 Pats