Howells dominant run puts them as Cornhusker state's best.
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Some football fans may wonder how a one-loss football team can be considered the greatest squad over a 14-year period when so many other fantastic clubs went undefeated. Here at MaxPreps, we understand that logic. But, in reality, any number of Howells teams could be proclaimed the state's top 8-man squad over the past decade and a half regardless of the record the Bobcats carried into the playoffs.
After all, Howells has claimed nine state titles since the turn of the century, winning six straight from 2000-2005 and then three straight beginning in 2008. Mike Speirs program jumped up to 11-man play in 2006 and 2007; otherwise we might be talking about a run of 11 straight Bobcat state titles.
So, why a one-loss Howells club? More than likely because of how the Bobcats rebounded from that loss. Howells did have a streak of 54 straight wins snapped in 2005 by former Cornhusker Conference foe Humphrey St. Francis, who has an unbelievable gridiron resume in its own right. The Flyers bumped Howells from the unbeaten ranks with a 22-18 triumph in late September, before falling to the Bobcats 42-0 in the 2005 D1 state semifinals.
Following the loss to the Flyers, Howells reeled off eight straight wins by outscoring its opposition 382-62. The only score Howells gave up in the 2005 state playoffs occurred in the third quarter of the championship game when Axtell signal caller Eric Gustafson found Warren Carmoney open from 19-yards out in a 46-6 Howells win. The Bobcats outscored five playoff foes 228-6 in 2005.
Since MaxPreps began ranking 8-Man football teams in 2004, no other Nebraska squad has posted a higher MaxPreps power ranking than Howells' 88.7 in 2005, which landed the Bobcats in the No. 2 spot nationally. Last fall's Bruning-Davenport/Shickley club came closest after winning the Class D2 state title with a 13-0 mark and an 81.0 power ranking. Howells' 2010 and 2004 clubs slip in at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively, while Giltner (2012) rounds out the Top 5.
The St. Francis squad that upended Howells in 2005, claimed the No. 8 spot in this week's Top 10. The Flyers, who have earned eight state final berths since 1995, won four state titles overall and have made 23 straight playoff appearances, placed their 2015 club in the No. 10 spot. Between them, Howells and St. Francis lay claim to eight of the top 15 squads since 2004.
Nebraska's Top 10 8-Man football teams since 20041. Howells (2005)Head Coach: Mike Speirs
Overall Record: 12-1
Scoring Differential: 598-175
Rankings: Nebraska (1st), Nationally (2nd)
2. Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (Bruning) (2017)Head Coach: Christopher Ardissono
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 668-202
Rankings: Class D2 (1st), Nebraska (1st), Nationally (16th)
3. Howells (2010)Head Coach: Mike Speirs
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 600-173
Rankings: Class D1 (1st), Nebraska (1st), Nationally (6th)
4. Howells (2004)Head Coach: Mike Speirs
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 631-115
Rankings: Nebraska (1st), Nationally (2nd)
5. Giltner (2012)Head Coach: Jeff Ashby
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 825-240
Rankings: Class D2 (1st), Nebraska (1st), Nationally (9th)
6. Pope John (Elgin) (2007)Head Coach: P.J. Book
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 649-130
Rankings: Nebraska (1st), Nationally (7th)
7. Sargent (2011)Head Coach: Mike Kozeal
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 837-141
Rankings: Class D2 (1st), Nebraska (1st), Nationally (17th)
8. St. Francis (Humphrey) (2005)Head Coach: Eric Kessler
Overall Record: 12-1
Scoring Differential: 520-218
Rankings: Nebraska (2nd), Nationally (5th)
9. Hemingford (2014)Head Coach: Jordan Haas
Overall Record: 13-0
Scoring Differential: 804-167
Rankings: Class D1 (1st), Nebraska (1st), Nationally (13th)
10. St. Francis (Humphrey) (2015)Head Coach: Eric Kessler
Overall Record: 12-1
Scoring Differential: 618-174
Rankings: Class D2 (1st), Nebraska (1st), Nationally (16th)
The next five: Howells (2009), Humphrey St. Francis (2009), Howells (2011), tie – Elgin/Pope John (2011) and Overton (2006)
