When Kimball wingback Jeff Greenwood skipped across the goal line to even things at 7-7 near the end of the first quarter, a playoff victory seemed--for a moment--within reach.

After all, the first round contest between the Longhorns and Valentine had been an either way affair through the first 12 minutes.

Following a disappointing three and out to start things off, Kimball fell for a reverse pass out of the Wildcat formation allowing Valentine to jump on top. But the Longhorns regained their composure and launched into a 15 play scoring drive, knocking 6:54 off the clock.

It was vintage double wing football.

“They have a tough offense,” Badgers coach Craig Schmeckpeper said of the visiting Longhorns.

But moments pass. In the end, Valentine proved too opportunistic and too strong up front, bumping Kimball from the playoffs last Thursday in convincing 42-14 fashion.

For coach Chauncey Pedersen and the Longhorns, it was a second consecutive venture into post season play after more than a decade languishing outside of bracket consideration.

But, Pedersen said, “you hate to just be happy with that.”

That Kimball put more points on the board and gained more yards from scrimmage against the 7-1 Badgers than any other team over the past five weeks may be the source of his frustration. Indeed, the game turned on two Longhorns miscues--and the ability of Valentine to capitalize quickly.

Following an Eric Arnold touchdown plunge that put the hosts back on top, 14-7, to start the second quarter, Kimball wingback Colton Stull lost control of the ball on a counter reverse. The Badgers’ Shane Hobbs recovered in Kimball territory and quarterback Jessi Owen took advantage of the break, hitting James Simmons for 33 yards and another score.

Minutes later, after an impressive red zone stand, the Longhorns took over on downs with their backs to their own goal line. This time the ball popped from Greenwood’s grasp as he tried to grind his way to a first down. Valentine recovered and running back Ben Shelbourn tacked another six on the board.

The two scores took less than a minute, combined.

Valentine entered the game with a one-sided reputation. They kept Cozad out of the end zone, limited Gothenburg to a single touchdown and shut the door on Gordon-Rushville after allowing just six points.

“Maybe we underestimated their offense,” Pedersen lamented.

Kimball’s final possession of the half ended with quarterback Trevan Hinton scrambling for his life before finding Brent Bussinger, being sacked twice and firing off target on fourth down under pressure from Valentine linebacker Jess Shelbourn.

They hit the locker room down 28-7.

“Right before halftime it was bad,” Hinton said of the Badgers blitz packages. “But we made adjustments.”

Defensively, Kimball shut down the surprising Valentine attack. Jake Reader twisted Arnold violently to the ground on their first series. A swarm of white jerseys forced a fumble on their next--Dalton Lockwood emerging with the ball. On the Badgers’ third possession, Reader stepped in front of an Owen pass for an interception.

But Kimball went four and out and turned the ball over twice.

“We had opportunities,” Pedersen said. “We just couldn’t convert.”

Valentine meanwhile turned the Longhorns’ third fumble of the day into another touchdown, stretching their lead to 35-7--21 of those points coming off turnovers--as the third quarter wound down.

“It would have been closer without the turnovers,” Hinton acknowledged. “That would have been a lot more fun.”

Still, Pedersen’s squad managed to move the ball against the Badgers’ stubborn defense all afternoon. As the final period got underway, Hinton engineered another textbook drive, alternating between Greenwood and young Jonathon Withrow on the ground and quick strikes to Bussinger and his backs.

Withrow picked up 31 total yards during the drive--including two first downs--with Greenwood adding 28. The Longhorns as a team covered 61 yards on 14 plays, with Greenwood finally scampering in from four yards out.

Valentine added another touchdown after a failed onside kick attempt by the visitors.

Still, a second playoff appearance in two years has virtually erased memories of Kimball’s long post season drought.

“Hopefully,” said fullback Bernie Bridge looking ahead, “we will make it to the second round next year.”