If there’s one thing that push a team through the high school football playoffs each week, it’s a defense that can fly around and one that can take the ball away from the opposition.

For Nemaha Central they’ve proved they have just that the last two weeks and it continued Friday night as the Thunder forced three turnovers and held St. Mary’s to just 28 rushing yards in a 49-20 opening round win in the Class 2A playoffs.

The Thunder couldn’t have had a better start jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.

Dylan Schultejans got the scoring started with a 10-yard touchdown run before Austin Ahlquist recorded Nemaha Central’s first interception of the game when the Bears were driving at the Thunder 6-yard line.

The Thunder took advantage with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Schultejans to Bryce Uphaus to take a 14-0 lead before scoring again on a Zac Kramer 2-yard run.

St. Mary’s got their first score just before halftime going on a 10-play 94-yard drive that resulted in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Caden Hurla to Charles King to pull within 21-6 at half.

The Thunder put the game away with three straight touchdowns out of halftime, as Tyler Gerety ran a punt back 44 yards for a score while Uphaus added a 1-yard run and Andrew Leonard a 37-yard reception from Schultejans.

Nemaha Central gave up two touchdowns late with the JV on the field while the defense racked up two interceptions in the second half.

Gavin Duryea had a huge night with 161 yards on the ground on 21 carries while Bryce Uphaus added two touchdowns and Tyler Gerety 83 yards receiving.

Nemaha Central (7-2) now gets set for a huge second round matchup next week as the Thunder will host Rossville (7-2) who blew out Maur Hill-Mount Academy Friday night 42-7.