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Oilers' Hurley sparks 38-32 playoff victory
Eli Hurley
Oiler Eli Hurley

CENTRAL PLAINS 38, LITTLE RIVER 32

LITTLE RIVER — Central Plains tailback Eli Hurley rescued the Oilers with four touchdowns and 198 yards rushing in a hard-fought 38-32 victory over Little River in the 8-Man Division 1 football quarterfinals.

Hurley scored on runs on 1, 2, 2 and 23 yards. Hurley's interception helped the Oilers lead 22-16 after Hurley's TD and 2-point conversion. Aiden Hekele intercepted a pass and the Oilers earned three takeaways to swing the momentum.

Little River quarterback Logan Renken matched Hurley with three rushing touchdowns and a 50-yard scoring strike to Kyler Bergkamp. The Redskins converted four consecutive 2-point plays. Renken gained 74 yards and Jaren Garrison gained 76 yards.

Renken's 60-yard scoring run and a 2-point play gave the Redskins a 32-30 lead. But the Oilers answered with a hard-fought scoring drive for a 38-32 lead.

The lead changed hands six times in the wild affair. The Redskins led 16-8, 24-22 and 30-22. The Oilers rallied to lead 22-16, 30-24 and 38-32.

The 2-time state champion Oilers (9-2) play at home against Clifton-Clyde (9-2) in the Division 1 semifinals.

Central Plains 8 6 8 16 — 38

Little River 8 8 8 8 — 32

CP—Richard Stroud 3 run (Joel Schreiber run); LR—Kyler Bergkamp 50 pass from Logan Renken (Renken run); LR—Renken 3 run (Logan Garrison run); CP—Eli Hurley 23 run (run fails); CP—Hurley 2 run (Hurley pass from Brodie Crites); LR—Renken 5 run (Ty Janette pass from Renken); CP—Hurley 2 run (Stroud run); LR—Renken 60 run (Renken run); CP—Hurley 1 run (Hurley run)

RUSHING—CP—55-294; Hurley 31-198; Schreiber 15-72; Stroud 5-19; Brodie Crites 4-5; LR—Garrison 14-76 Renken 10-74 

PASSING—CP—Crites 9-18-0, 69; LR—Renken 2-9-2, 57

RECEIVING—CP—Hurley 3-48; Paxton Dody 3-12; Aiden Hekele 2-10; Schreiber 1-(-1); LR—Bergkamp 2-57