Stanton needs a win after 38-32 loss to Lenox

LENOX – Stanton’s playoff prospects couldn’t be any simpler: win and they are in. 

The Vikings were put in this position after losing another close game to an undefeated team, 38-32 to Lenox. 

Stanton dropped to 5-3 on the season with all three losses coming on the road by two scores or less. The three teams Stanton lost to, East Mills (40-24), Fremont Mills (30-22) and Lenox were all undefeated when they played Stanton and have clinched a playoff birth in District 8 of eight-man football. 

As a result, with a 3-3 record, Stanton is battling CAM, Anita for the fourth and final playoff spot. Stanton crushed CAM 40-3 in the third week of the season, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker. 

As a result, Stanton only needs to beat Nishnabotna at home Friday night to earn a rematch with Lenox in the first round of the state playoffs. Nishnabotna comes in with a 3-5 record and no chance of making the playoffs, but the Blue Devils are trying to end the season on a winning streak after beating Essex 55-20 and Sidney 60-14 the last two weeks. 

Against Lenox, Alex Becthold ran in a 48-yard touchdown in the second half to give Stanton a 32-28 lead. Lenox though recaptured the lead on Sam Donaldson’s second touchdown of the game and sealed the win with a safety. 

Becthold led Stanton’s offense with 16 carries for 92 yards including a pair of scores. Freshman Drake Johnson also had a big game out of Stanton’s backfield, running for 78 yards on 13 carries including a pair of first half touchdowns that gave the Vikings a 26-20 lead after two quarters. 

Brady Johnson accounted for the other Stanton score, a 72-yard kickoff return.