There will be a new state champion in Class A after Omaha Central misses playoffs; Crete, Wakefield look for three straight titles.
By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Nebraska Class A State Playoff Pairings
Friday Oct. 31
Omaha Northwest (2-7) at Millard West (9-0)
Bellevue West (6-3) at Omaha Burke (7-2)
Omaha Westside (5-4) at Kearney (6-3)
Papillion-LaVista South (5-4) at Omaha North (8-1)
Papillion-LaVista (5-4) at Lincoln North Star (8-1)
Millard South (6-3) at Elkhorn (7-2)
Lincoln Southwest (6-3) at Grand Island (7-2)
Fremont (3-6) at Omaha Creighton Prep (9-0)
- Quarterfinals, Nov. 7.
- Semifinals, Nov. 15.
- Final, Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).
Last Five Title Games
2007 – Omaha Central (11-2) 26, Millard South (10-3) 21
2006 – Kearney (12-1) 41, Omaha Westside (12-1) 21
2005 – Millard North (12-1) 35, Lincoln Southwest (12-1) 14
2004 – Omaha Creighton Prep (12-1) 21, Millard North (6-7) 7
2003 – Millard North (13-0) 38, Omaha Creighton Prep (12-1) 7
Notably Missing
Omaha Central – The Eagles were unable to defend their first state title since 1984 after suffering a 2-7 season. It is the first time Omaha Central hasn’t been to the postseason since missing out in 2004. The Eagles lost their first seven games of the season, six of them to teams in the playoff field. Victories over Omaha Bryan and playoff-bound Omaha Westside were not enough.
Millard North – The 2003 and 2005 state champion misses the playoffs for the first time since 1994, snapping a streak of 13 straight appearances. The Mustangs lost their first two games of the season by a combined three points before winning back-to-back games to even its record. Millard North lost five straight to end the season to teams that made the playoffs.
Four Players to Watch
Michael Burrus, Papillion-LaVista South – The leading rusher in Class A is looking to give his team a needed boost. The Titans lost three games heading into the playoffs, including a 30-20 decision to Omaha Burke in the regular season finale as Burrus rushed for just 20 yards. Burrus has 1,683 yards and 18 touchdowns this season for the Titans.
Tyler Seals, Bellevue West – Seals leads Class A in passing with 2,481 yards and 24 touchdowns. Seals threw three interceptions in a 42-34 loss to Omaha North to end the regular season, and is looking to bounce back against Omaha Burke. Bellevue West beat Omaha Burke 30-21 in Week 5 thanks to a hook and ladder. Greg Hardin, who pitched the ball to Evan Herring for the 80-yard touchdown in the win over Burke, is the leading receiver for the Thunderbirds with 47 grabs for 996 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Bryant Giles, Omaha North – The Vikings are 8-1 this season, and Giles is one of the main reasons. Giles has rushed for 1,361 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging just under 10 yards per carry.
Nick Mizaur, Omaha Creighton Prep – The junior leads the Junior Jays into the playoffs with an unbeaten record. Creighton Prep – a nine-time state champion with its last title coming in 2004 - relied on Mizaur for most of its offense. Mizaur rushed for 1,020 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
Most Intriguing Matchup
Millard South (6-3) at Elkhorn (7-2)
Elkhorn made the move to Class A for 2008 for the first time in school history. So when the Antlers defeated highly-touted Millard South in Week 4 by the score of 28-21, it was a big deal. Elkhorn has made 14 straight playoff appearances and has four Class B state titles, its last coming in 1999. Millard South is very talented, led by running back Jordan Hale and quarterback Bronson Marsh. The rematch should be very intriguing. Elkhorn’s stay in Class A won’t be long as Elkhorn South opens in 2010.
Tidbits
Two unbeaten teams (Millard West and Creighton Prep) are gunning to be the first Class A team to finish the season unbeaten since Millard North in 2003. The last time two unbeatens made the state championship game was in 2000, when Lincoln Southeast beat Creighton Prep 14-7 in overtime… Omaha Northwest, with just two wins, makes it first appearance since 1986. The Huskies join Fremont as teams that enter the Class A field with sub .500 records. Fremont enters with three wins, claiming victories in the last two games of the season to sneak in...Millard South enters the playoffs with a 6-3 record. The three losses came to teams with a combined 25-2 record by a total of 14 points… Four first round games are rematches from the regular season. Bellevue West beat Omaha Burke 30-21 in Week 5, Omaha North beat Papillion-LaVista South 27-20 in Week 8, Elkhorn beat Millard South 28-21 in Week 4, and Grand Island beat Lincoln Southwest in Week 4, 28-14. Omaha Westside and Kearney meet in a rematch of the 2006 Class A state final, won by Kearney.
The Picks
First Round: Millard West over Omaha Northwest, Bellevue West over Omaha Burke, Omaha Westside over Kearney, Omaha North over Papillion-LaVista South.
Papillion-LaVista over Lincoln North Star, Millard South over Elkhorn, Grand Island over Lincoln Southwest, Omaha Creighton Prep over Fremont.
Quarterfinals: Millard West over Bellevue West, Omaha North over Omaha Westside, Millard South over Papillion-LaVista, Omaha Creighton Prep over Grand Island.
Semifinals: Omaha North over Millard West, Millard South over Omaha Creighton Prep.
Final: Omaha North over Millard South.
Darkhorse: Elkhorn
Nebraska Class B State Playoff Pairings
Friday, Oct. 31
West Bracket
Columbus (5-4) at McCook (9-0)
Holdrege (5-4) at Schuyler (8-1)
Lexington (6-3) at Aurora (8-1)
Alliance (4-5) at Ogallala (8-1)
East Bracket
Gretna (5-4) at Lincoln Pius X (7-2)
Omaha Gross (8-1) at Crete (5-4)
Omaha Skutt (5-4) at Waverly (8-1)
Ralston (5-4) at Beatrice (8-1)
- Quarterfinals, Nov. 7.
- Semifinals, Nov. 15.
- Final, Nov. 22 at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).
Last Five Title Games
2007 – Crete (13-0) 14, McCook (12-1) 7 OT
2006 – Crete (12-1) 28, Elkhorn (12-1) 14
2005 – Omaha Skutt Catholic (13-0) 6, McCook (12-1) 0
2004 – Lincoln Pius X (13-0) 14, McCook (12-1) 9
2003 – McCook (13-0) 21, Omaha Roncalli Catholic (12-1) 0
Notable Entries
Schuyler – With only 38 players out for football, Schuyler was seen as a program continuing in decline entering the 2008 season. But the Warriors made a statement by beating Columbus in the first meeting between the Highway 30 neighbors in over 50 years. Columbus dropped from Class A to Class B this season, but the town that dwarfs Columbus by nearly 20,000 residents pulled off the momentum-changing victory. Schuyler finished 8-1 for its first winning season since 1991, with its eight wins equaling the output of the last three seasons combined.
Lexington – Like Schuyler, Lexington has had similar cultural changes since the 1990’s. Over the past four years, the Minutemen have won four games in 36 tries, including 0-9 seasons in 2005 and again last season. Lexington won its first four games of the season, equaling the record of the previous four years before the season was even half over. The Minutemen are 2-3 since, but included in the losses were setbacks to McCook and Ogallala.
Lexington last won a playoff game in 1997 en route to a 47-8 loss in the Class B state championship against Lincoln Pius X. It was one of three runner-up performance from Lexington, joining a similar fate in 1988 and 1992. Since falling in the 1997 final, Lexington qualified for the playoffs twice, in 1999 and 2001.
Four Players to Watch
Andrew Rodriguez, Aurora – Rodriguez is regarded as one of the top offensive linemen nationally in the Class of 2010. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound monster paves the way for the Huskies as they average 329 yards of offense per game.
Trevor Florendo, Crete – Florendo was a key contributor to Crete’s back-to-back state championship teams. After basketball season last spring, Florendo underwent surgery to fix his shoulder which may have hurt his Division I prospects. Florendo has rushed for 1,258 yards this season and is a legitimate threat.
Matt Berry, McCook – Berry has rushed for 26 touchdowns this season and has thrown for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns for the Bison. With Berry at the controls, McCook averages 452 yards of offense per contest. McCook could be the best team in the entire state regardless of class, while Berry could be the best player.
Justin Coleman, Beatrice – Coleman is the signal caller for the 8-1 Orangemen and does his damage on the ground. Coleman has over 1,000 rushing yards this season and has led Beatrice to three straight wins over the likes of Lincoln Pius X and Crete entering the playoffs.
Most Intriguing Matchup
Omaha Skutt (5-4) at Waverly (8-1)
Skutt is 2-4 against teams that qualified for the playoffs, including a 19-16 loss to Waverly in Week 8. Included in the two victories were wins over Ralston and in double overtime and a two-point win over Crete. Waverly has won eight straight games following a season-opening loss to East Bracket top-seed Lincoln Pius X. The Vikings have victories over Crete, Beatrice, and Gretna during their eight-game winning streak. In the first meeting, Jared Janssen scored on a 17-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds remaining to hand the victory to Waverly.
Tidbits
Omaha Gross, despite its 8-1 record, was handed a fifth-seed in the East Bracket and must travel to two-time defending state champion Crete (5-4). Gross lost in the state quarterfinals last season to Beatrice 63-62 in double overtime… McCook is making its ninth straight playoff appearance and has appeared in five out of six state championship games. After winning back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, McCook lost in the state final in 2004, 2005, and 2007. The three losses came by a total of 18 points…Ogallala has posted four shutouts this season and has allowed seven points or more only twice this season, which happened to come in the last two games of the season in a victory over Lexington and a loss to McCook. Ogallala has a rematch with Alliance in the first round, a team it beat 56-6 in Week 5.
The Picks
West Bracket First Round: McCook over Columbus, Schuyler over Holdrege, Aurora over Lexington, Ogallala over Alliance.
East Bracket First Round: Lincoln Pius X over Gretna, Omaha Gross over Crete, Waverly over Omaha Skutt, Beatrice over Ralston.
Quarterfinals: McCook over Schuyler, Ogallala over McCook. Omaha Gross over Lincoln Pius X, Waverly over Beatrice.
Semifinals: McCook over Ogallala, Waverly over McCook.
Final: McCook over Waverly
Darkhorse: Crete
Nebraska Class C-1 State Playoff Pairings
Thursday, Oct. 30
West Bracket
Valentine (3-5) at Chadron (8-0)
Crofton (5-3) at Minden (5-3)
St. Paul (5-3) at Gordon-Rushville (6-2)
Battle Creek (4-4) at Gothenburg (7-1)
Twin River (4-4) at Pierce (7-1)
Wood River (6-2) at Grand Island Central Catholic (7-1)
Mitchell (6-2) at Broken Bow (7-1)
Boone Central (3-5) at Hastings St. Cecilia (8-0)
East Bracket
Wisner-Pilger (4-4) at Syracuse (8-0)
Bennington (5-3) at Fairbury (5-3)
David City (4-4) at Columbus Scotus (6-2)
Raymond Central (4-4) at Wahoo Neumann (6-2)
North Bend (5-3) at Norfolk Catholic (8-0)
Omaha Roncalli (4-4) at Wahoo (6-2)
Lincoln Lutheran (4-4) at Madison (6-2)
Auburn (4-4) at Boys Town (8-0)
- Second Round, Nov. 5.
- Quarterfinals, Nov. 10.
- Semifinals, Nov. 15.
- Final, Nov. 22 at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).
Tidbits
Madison is searching for its first playoff victory since 1986. Since a semifinal loss in 1986, the Dragons have qualified five times and suffered early first round exits each time… Fairbury is also searching for its first playoff win. The Jeffs are making their third appearance, suffering first round losses in 2001 and 2003…The first round will feature four rematches from the regular season. In Week 1, Pierce pounded Twin River 55-14 and Wahoo beat Omaha Roncalli 41-26. Auburn fell to Boys Town 48-0 in Week 2, and Columbus Scotus beat David City 41-17 in Week 6.
The Picks
First Round: Chadron over Valentine, Crofton over Minden, Gordon-Rushville over St. Paul, Gothenburg over Battle Creek, Pierce over Twin River, GICC over Wood River, Broken Bow over Mitchell, Hastings St. Cecilia over Boone Central.
Syracuse over Wisner-Pilger, Fairbury over Bennington, Columbus Scotus over David City, Wahoo Neumann over Raymond Central, Norfolk Catholic over North Bend, Wahoo over Omaha Roncalli, Madison over Lincoln Lutheran, Boys Town over Auburn.
Second Round: Chadron over Crofton, Gothenburg over Gordon-Rushville, Pierce over GICC, Hastings St. Cecilia over Broken Bow.
Syracuse over Fairbury, Wahoo Neumann over Columbus Scotus, Norfolk Catholic over Wahoo, Boys Town over Madison.
Quarterfinals: Chadron over Gothenburg, Pierce over Hastings St. Cecilia. Wahoo Neumann over Syracuse, Norfolk Catholic over Boys Town.
Semifinals: Pierce over Chadron, Norfolk Catholic over Wahoo Neumann.
Final: Norfolk Catholic over Pierce
Darkhorse: Bennington
Nebraska Class C-2 State Playoff Pairings
Thursday, Oct. 30
East Bracket
Tri-County (3-5) at Stanton (8-0)
West Point Central Catholic (5-3) at Malcolm (6-2)
Lincoln Christian (5-3) at Fremont Bergan (6-2)
Wakefield (4-4) at Wilber-Clatonia (7-1)
Nebraska City Lourdes (5-3) at Elmwood-Murdock (8-0)
Humboldt-TRS (4-4) at Ponca (4-4)
Laurel-Concord (5-3) at East Butler (4-4)
Oakland-Craig (4-4) at David City Aquinas (7-1)
West Bracket
Loup City (4-4) at Elm Creek (7-1)
Cross County (6-2) at Creighton (7-1)
North Platte St. Patrick (4-4) at Cambridge (6-2)
Fullerton (4-4) at Blue Hill (7-1)
Sutherland (5-3) at Hartington Cedar Catholic (7-1)
Chase County (5-3) at Plainview (6-2)
Thayer Central (7-1) at Ravenna (6-2)
Southwest (3-5) at Kearney Catholic (7-1)
- Second Round, Nov. 5.
- Quarterfinals, Nov. 10.
- Semifinals, Nov. 15.
- Final, Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).
Tidbits
Fremont Bergan enters the playoffs for the seventh consecutive time with a 6-2 record. Bergan’s two losses came to Stanton and Elmwood-Murdock, who are a combined 16-0… Three rematches will take place in the first round. Elm Creek beat Loup City 41-14 and Kearney Catholic downed Southwest 30-0 in Week 3 while Cambridge downed North Platte St. Patrick 21-0 in Week 5. Ironically, no rematches will take place in the first round over in the East Bracket…Wakefield is attempting to win its third straight title, but has to go on the road in the first round. At 4-4 Wakefield travels to Wilber-Clatonia. Over the last two seasons, Wakefield won the C-2 title with an unbeaten record… Loup City is making just its third playoff appearance in school history and has never won a playoff game. Loup City lost to Sandy Creek in 1994 and Cambridge in 2002.
The Picks
First Round: Stanton over Tri-County, West Point CC over Malcolm, Fremont Bergan over Lincoln Christian, Wakefield over Wilber-Clatonia, Elmwood-Murdock over Nebraska City Lourdes, Ponca over Humboldt-TRS, Laurel-Concord over East Butler, David City Aquinas over Oakland-Craig.
Elm Creek over Loup City, Creighton over Cross County, Cambridge over North Platte St. Patrick, Blue Hill over Fullerton, Hartington CC over Sutherland, Plainview over Chase County, Thayer Central over Ravenna, Kearney Catholic over Southwest.
Second Round: Stanton over West Point CC, Fremont Bergan over Wakefield, Elmwood-Murdock over Ponca, David City Aquinas over Laurel-Concord.
Elm Creek over Creighton, Cambridge over Blue Hill, Hartington CC over Plainview, Kearney Catholic over Thayer Central.
Quarterfinals: Stanton over Fremont Bergan, Elmwood-Murdock over David City Aquinas. Elm Creek over Cambridge, Kearney Catholic over Hartington CC.
Semifinals: Stanton over Elmwood-Murdock, Elm Creek over Kearney Catholic.
Final: Stanton over Elm Creek.
Darkhorse: Wilber-Clatonia
Contact Scott Hansen by email at maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net. Check out his new blog featuring his opinions about high school sports at http://maxprepsok.blogspot.com.
