Schulenburg Edges Flatonia by Three in Battle for Fayette 2A Bragging Rights

The Flatonia and Schulenburg high school football teams went toe to toe in a district rivalry Friday night as Schulenburg pulled out a 21-18 victory against the Bulldogs for the second game on Flatonia’s new turf.

“It was a really good football game between two really good football teams,” said Flatonia head coach Chris Freytag. “They executed a little better on offense. The kids on both sides played hard. If you’re a fan and you’re watching football, it was probably a great football game to watch. But this one leaves a sick feeling in my stomach.”

A battle that came down to the wire was secured by the Shorthorns on a fumble recovery in the final two minutes.

“Tonight was a team effort,” said Schulenburg head coach Walt Brock. “We don’t rely on one person.”

Schulenburg had three injured players throughout the game who didn’t return.

“Other kids stepped up and our coaching stepped up. We have a great coaching staff, great kids, and a great superintendent. This is awesome,” Brock said.

Junior running back Keisean Johnson had an efficient outing on the ground and scored the opening touchdown in the first quarter for the Shorthorns.

“Next man up. One goes down, next comes up,” said Johnson. “I just play my part like everybody else. We did what we had to do and came out with the win.”

Due to Johnson’s first score, Schulenburg found themselves ahead at the 8:28 mark in the first quarter. Flatonia answered with a touchdown run on the last play of the quarter by senior running back Chris Johnston, but missed the extra point and went into the second quarter trailing 6-7. With three and a half minutes to go, Schulenburg senior quarterback

Brett Janecek completed a long pass to senior tight end Jayson Schaefer that was followed by a quarterback sneak to take a 14-6 advantage.

Flatonia then created some momentum of their own with a 55-yard bomb from Green to sophomore receiver Fidel Venegas, which put the Bulldogs on Schulenburg’s five-yard line with 1:35 left in the half. Another touchdown by Johnston and a failed two-point conversion attempt was followed by a lengthy haul from Schulenburg’s Johnson to the Bulldog’s 15- yard line.

Flatonia blocked a field goal try that sent both teams into the locker room at half time with a score of 14-12 in favor of the Shorthorns. Schulenburg continued their strong running game in the third quarter all the way to the Bulldogs goal line on a possession that was capped off by junior running back Jeremiah Houston as he punched it in the goal line to go ahead 21-12 with 3:34 left in the third.

Flatonia returned the favor on the very next possession with a ground and pound running style to the Schulenburg two-yard line where Johnston grabbed his third touchdown of the night. A missed extra-point off the crossbar resulted in a 21- 18 score at the beginning of the fourth quarter with the Short-horns on top.

Another productive drive from Schulenburg was stopped on a 4th and 6 by the Bulldogs at the Flatonia 31-yard line. With just under five minutes to go in the game, Schulenburg came up with a huge interception from sophomore linebacker Kenny Schramek on the Shorthorns 29- yard line. Flatonia then forced a three and out, but committed a block in the back penalty on an extensive rush by Green. The Bulldogs were set back to their own 23-yard line after the penalty, then the fumble recovery by Schulenburg sealed a 21-18 victory. The Shorthorns remain undefeated at 4-0 and will face a 1-3 Weimar team at home next Friday. Flatonia’s current record is 3-1 and has a matchup against another undefeated team on the road at Shiner.