Game Report: Omaha Burke at Bellevue West

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Final:</strong> Bellevue West 58 - Burke 14</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Overview:</strong></span></p> One of the more anticipated Week 1 matchups was the Burke Bulldogs clashing with the Bellevue West Thunderbirds. This bout was BIG ON BIG, high-flying offense vs. a hard-hitting defense with both teams touting highly sought after recruits (#2 LB [player_tooltip player_id="147503" first="Devon" last="Jackson"] (Burke), #3 TE [player_tooltip player_id="147504" first="Micah" last="Riley-Ducker"] and #4 TE [player_tooltip player_id="147505" first="Kaden" last="Helms"] (Bell West)) On one side you have the Thunderbirds with the deepest roster in the state and many D1- bound athletes at various positions. On the other side, you have the Burke Bulldogs, a team that missed out on action last year due to COVID protocols and came in with a huge chip on their shoulders. There were several jabs between players on both sides on social media leading up to this game, adding an extra sense of urgency not just to win but to secure bragging rights. Bellevue West’s firepower proved to be too much for the Bulldogs, outgunning them in all three phases in the game when it came down to play. Early score by dynamic back [player_tooltip player_id="147818" first="LJ" last="Richardson"] and a safety on a punt put the T-Birds up 9-0, however, Burke newcomer Cooper Katskee was able to break off some plays and connected with [player_tooltip player_id="167121" first="Trae" last="Starks"] to keep the game close. That’s when the game began to open up, another LJ score and 2024 #75 overall player Dae’ Vonn Hall’s insane efforts brought the score to 37 -14. The second half brought more frustration for Burke as they were not able to sustain drives. Plays made by Katskee and the pass catchers would then be negated by a bad snap the next play, hindering any momentum from building. When the dust had settled, the scoreboard read Bellevue West 58 - Burke 14, and the Thunderbirds began to celebrate with their fans. For the Thunderbirds, this begins their march for Memorial stadium on a positive note.  The Burke Bulldogs, although a tough loss, played tough and physical until the end of the game. They are a young team but look competitive this year when the ’rust’ clears up. Burke will take on the Kearney Bearcats at home. Bellevue West will face cross-town rival Bellevue East. <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Ranked ’22 Prospects:</strong></span></p> [player_tooltip player_id="147503" first="Devon" last="Jackson"], 6’2" 200 lbs - Omaha Burke Overall: #2 | LB: #1 Offers: Oregon, Miami, Oklahoma, Arizona State <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12792813/5d93451d02b1a5021092ef19" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147504" first="Micah" last="Riley-Ducker"], 6’6" 240 lbs - Bellevue West Overall: #3 | TE: #1 Committed: Auburn <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11479445/5f8cc3b2b3c9e70b0c0d6bb4" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147505" first="Kaden" last="Helms"], 6’6" 220 lbs - Bellevue West Overall: #4 | TE: #2 Committed: Oklahoma <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11431845/5fa82f643448b208a0c8501b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="147818" first="LJ" last="Richardson"], 6’1" 215 lbs - Bellevue West Overall: #14 | RB: #1 Offers: Wyoming, Minnesota State <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11715434/5fb9d1afa023270c080868d0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="151113" first="Henry" last="Rickels"], 6’4" 275 lbs - Bellevue West Overall: #16 | OL: #2 Commited: Air Force <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11060654/5fd675a7f55ff9105c7d16bf" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Favorite Matchup:</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">TE [player_tooltip player_id="147505" first="Kaden" last="Helms"] vs. DB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id="167121" first="Trae" last="Starks"] -</p> This was a matchup I was keeping my out on throughout the game. Starks tipped a pass intended for Helms on the last play of the first half, resulting in an interception. The two had several good series where they battled it out; Starks broke up some plays, and Helms was able to break free for some snags. Overall, a good display of back and forth between two fierce competitors. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Bellevue West Takeaways:</strong></span> <ul> <li>The offense is a juggernaut; QB room is deep, pass-catchers galore, and their offensive line is huge and mean.</li> <li>Rotation of QBs ([player_tooltip player_id="147833" first="Luke" last="Johannsen"] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="169899" first="Daniel" last="Kaelin"]) was seamless and maintained rythym. Both QBs did a great job keeping up the tempo and made the some great passes.</li> <li>The defensive front seven can fly around and be very disruptive in the backfield. Small mental mistakes like several offsides plays helped the offense, but those should iron out as the season progresses.</li> <li>Overall, depth is just mind-boggling.</li> </ul> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Omaha Burke Takeaways:</strong></span> <ul> <li>The year off was really hurtful in this game. Missing a year of play and development and opening the season against a very talented team like Bellevue West is tough to do. However, there were still many things to like about what is brewing at Burke, especially the youth on the team.</li> <li>The offensive line showed its youth against an experienced DL. Katskee couldn’t get comfortable in the pocket.</li> <li>I really like Cooper Katskee at QB. I think he is going to be a huge sleeper for this year’s QB class. He made plays in the air and was able to break away for some impressive runs. Looked confident and comfortable running the offense, even drew the Bell West DL offsides a few times with a hard count.</li> <li>The special team’s mistakes killed momentum on drives before they would start.</li> </ul> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Players notes:</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="147818" first="LJ" last="Richardson"] (RB) - Bellevue West He is bigger and faster in person; his mix of both will be tough for upcoming opponents. He is automatic at the goal-line or within 10 yards. Richardson finished the day with 135 yards and 4 TDS, something slight. https://twitter.com/MattLothrop7/status/1431106887903219722?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="167121" first="Trae" last="Starks"] (WR/DB) - Burke Very impressed with his play on both sides of the ball. On offense, he caught 5 catches for 98 yards and hauled in a touchdown. A rough night for the defense overall, but Starks was able to contribute in coverage. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14302324/61290cd89681220a1cde8de7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Dae’ Vonn Hall (WR) - Bellevue West After the first TD, I just wrote down ’DAWG,’ after the second touchdown, I scratched it out and wrote ’DAWG DAWG.’ I watched him on several plays, and he created separation so easily, he had DBs lost. https://twitter.com/FauxDeaux/status/1431066665169694722?s=20 Cooper Katske (QB) - Burke Katskee posted 229 passing yards and a touchdown in his first start for Burke. I thought he looked good in the offense. Unfortunately, the BW defense kept them off-balance all game. He is a very gritty player. Even late into the game, he was still competing hard, trying to get the chains moving. [player_tooltip player_id="180286" first="Kyrell" last="Jordan"] (WR) - Bellevue West Kyrell really broke out this game, catching a beautifully placed by [player_tooltip player_id="169899" first="Daniel" last="Kaelin"] and a spectacular toe-tap sideline grab. As a junior, he might be overlooked on the roster due to the big names around him, but his talent should definitely not be denied. In a long line of dynamic Bell West pass-catchers, Kyrell’s got next. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15547584/6128fc51f31d100774d31ad8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Burke Prospects:</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="158870" first="Alec" last="Cook"], 6’3" 230 lbs (LB) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/7955650/5f7758ba3864d5083c30b5ed" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Cayden Echternach, 6’2" 200 lbs (TE) https://twitter.com/CaydenEchterna1/status/1431112175276470273?s=20 Caden Bell, 6’1" 200 lbs (DB) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13551316/6128f4d12aa64405f432703b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="191200" first="Carmello" last="Cross"], 6’0" 250 lbs (DL) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13589050/5e8e78ced2257e07ac8c2bab" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bellevue West Prospects</strong></span> [player_tooltip player_id="147833" first="Luke" last="Johannsen"], 6’2" 190 lbs (QB) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12128301/61292e6a9681220a1cdeb6d3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="169899" first="Daniel" last="Kaelin"], 6’2" 195 lbs (QB) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14285745/6128fb060661740b80d7e438" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Kellen Steuben, 6’2" 250 lbs (OL) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12683711/612a557c6e81780a6474c01b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Gio Contreras, 5’11" 195 lbs (WR/DB) https://twitter.com/giocontrera13/status/1431288850073198595?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="167999" first="Jayden" last="Roberts"], 5’9" 195 lbs (LB) <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11060646/6128e2ea19b07105304f5e12" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Travis Hines II, 6’ 150 lbs (DB) https://twitter.com/Travywavy4/status/1431440383658037248?s=20 &nbsp; &nbsp;