GENEVA, Neb. - Returning to the scene where their season was ended a year ago, Wilber-Clatonia (1-3) rallied from a large first half deficit to stun Fillmore Central (2-2) 33-28 on Friday night in Geneva, earning the Wolverines their first win of the 2024 season, as well as some revenge for their postseason loss to the Panthers last year.  

The Wolverines have struggled so far this season, outscored by more than 100 points over their first three games of the year. The Panthers, meanwhile, fresh off their best season in recent history in 2023 – which included two wins over Wilber-Clatonia – had rallied from a season-opening loss to win their last two in fairly convincing fashion.  

But both teams knew that recent history would matter little once the ball was kicked on Friday night – both coaches expected a battle, and that’s exactly what both teams delivered. But it certainly didn’t look like it was going to turn out that way: Fillmore Central got off to a flying start, with Preston Komenda linking up with Daniel Stoner for a 55-yard touchdown pass on the very first play of the game. Shortly after, Komenda found Joey Stoner for two more scores, giving the Panthers a 21-0 lead just minutes into the second quarter.  

Facing a 21-0 deficit and the prospect of a fourth straight loss to begin their season, the Wolverines finally managed to string together a couple of stops on defense, and that kickstarted their offense late in the half. Cash Keslar provided the biggest spark, somehow evading a Panther rush inside his own 10-yard line and scrambling 94 yards for a gamebreaking touchdown that brought Wilber to within 21-13 at the halftime break.  

With the game tied at 21 going into the fourth, Fillmore restored its lead with a stretch run by Joey Stoner, his third score of the game. But Wilber answered immediately with a kick return for a touchdown by Ty Roesler – their two-point try failed, however, and the Panthers remained in front, 28-27.  

But once again the Wolverine defense, after a difficult first three weeks, came up big down the stretch in this game, and after another turnover on downs by the Panthers, Crew Pulliam hit Keslar for a long touchdown for the second week in a row, giving Wilber-Clatonia the lead for the first time in the game – and in their season. Fillmore Central had one final push, but the Wolverines made one final stand to close out the 33-28 victory, avenging their postseason loss to the Panthers from last season.  

Our next high school football broadcast on Ol’ Red 99.5 will feature our first coverage of Nebraska Class B action this season when Crete takes on York this Friday, September 27. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 PM CT, with kickoff to follow at 7.