Football Game Preview: Norris Titans vs. Beatrice Orangemen

Norris is 8-2 against Beatrice since October of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Titans will host the Orangemen at 7:00 p.m. The teams are on pretty different trajectories at the moment (Norris has six straight victories, Beatrice has 13 straight losses), but none of that matters once you're on the field.

Norris' defense heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Thursday. They breezed past Standing Bear to the tune of 42-0. The Titans might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five games by 24 points or more this season.

Markus Nelson

Rushing Touchdowns

10/02/25 @ Standing Bear	3
09/26/25 vs Pius X	4
09/19/25 @ Blair	2
09/05/25 @ Gretna	3
08/29/25 vs Skutt Catholic	3

Markus Nelson and Evan Greenfield were among the main playmakers for Norris as the former gained 89 total yards and three touchdowns and the latter threw for 185 yards and a pair of TDs while completing 73.3% of his passes. Nelson is also crushing it when it comes to rushing touchdowns: he's punched in at least two every time he's taken the field this season.

Meanwhile, Beatrice took a blow against Waverly on Friday, falling 49-7. While losing is never fun, the Orangemen can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Nebraska football rankings (they are ranked 93rd, while the Vikings are ranked third).

The match pitted two dominant backs against one another in Merrick Johnson and Nathan Axmann. Axmann had a great game and rushed for 102 yards and three scores on only ten carries. Meanwhile, Johnson did his best for the losing side, rushing for 57 yards and one touchdown.

Beatrice's defeat dropped their record down to 0-6. As for Norris, their win bumped their record up to 6-0.

Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Norris has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 179.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Beatrice struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 165.5 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.

Everything came up roses for Norris against Beatrice in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, as the team secured a 44-0 victory. Do the Titans have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Orangemen turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.