Missed conversions prove costly for Sterling Jets

SHICKLEY - Sterling's Jets scored more touchdowns, but an inability to convert two-point conversions lead to their 26-24 loss to Shickley in the first round of the Class D2 state football playoffs Thursday.

“We didn't make a PAT, that's the story of our season,” Sterling assistant coach Brent Heusman said.

Heusman said Shickley did a good job against the Jets' running game.

“They shut down our running game pretty much,” Heusman said. “We had to go to a passing attack.”

Shickley opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 79-yard touchdown run by Jaron Nelson. Kyle Davis kicked the PAT to give them a 7-0 lead.

Next Shickley scored on a 23-yard field goal by Davis to make it 10-0.

The Jets answered back in the second quarter, scoring first on a 36-yard run by Brandon Nieveen. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Jets trailed 10-6.

Nieveen then connected with Kyle Lowmack for a 37-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to give Sterling the lead. The conversion attempt failed, and Sterling took a 12-10 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Shickley regained the lead on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Michael Riensch to Davis. Riensch threw to Spencer Walters for the conversion to make it 18-12.

Riensch hit Walters on a 42-yard touchdown pass to add to the lead in the third quarter. The conversion pass from Riensch to Walter made it 26-12 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Jets attempted to mount a comeback in the final period of play, scoring first on a three-yard run by Shane Sears. The conversion failed, making it 26-18.

Sterling's final score came on a 30-yard pass from Nieveen to Jake Saathoff. The conversion attempt again failed, however.

Nieveen led the Jets' offense with 16 rushes for 104 yards, and was 11-for-26 in passing for 158 yards.

Saathoff had three receptions for 65 yards and Lowmack had two catches for 59 yards.

With its win, Shickley advances to the playoff's second round and will travel to Dodge next Wednesday.

Sterling finishes its season at 4-4.

Sterling 0 12 0 12-24

Shickley 10 0 16 0-26