Game Report: Omaha Burke at Bellevue West
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Final: Bellevue West 58 – Burke 14 Overview: 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…
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Continue ReadingFinal: Bellevue West 58 – Burke 14
Overview:
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 Devon Jackson Devon Jackson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE (Burke), #3 TE Micah Riley-Ducker Micah Riley-Ducker 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE and #4 TE Kaden Helms Kaden Helms 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE (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 LJ Richardson LJ Richardson 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE 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 Trae Starks Trae Starks 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE 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.
Top Ranked ’22 Prospects:
Devon Jackson Devon Jackson 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE , 6’2″ 200 lbs – Omaha Burke
Overall: #2 | LB: #1
Offers: Oregon, Miami, Oklahoma, Arizona State
Micah Riley-Ducker Micah Riley-Ducker 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , 6’6″ 240 lbs – Bellevue West
Overall: #3 | TE: #1
Committed: Auburn
Kaden Helms Kaden Helms 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , 6’6″ 220 lbs – Bellevue West
Overall: #4 | TE: #2
Committed: Oklahoma
LJ Richardson LJ Richardson 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , 6’1″ 215 lbs – Bellevue West
Overall: #14 | RB: #1
Offers: Wyoming, Minnesota State
Henry Rickels Henry Rickels 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , 6’4″ 275 lbs – Bellevue West
Overall: #16 | OL: #2
Commited: Air Force
Favorite Matchup:
TE Kaden Helms Kaden Helms 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Bellevue West | 2022 State NE vs. DB/ATH Trae Starks Trae Starks 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE –
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.
Bellevue West Takeaways:
- The offense is a juggernaut; QB room is deep, pass-catchers galore, and their offensive line is huge and mean.
- Rotation of QBs ( Luke Johannsen Luke Johannsen 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE & Daniel Kaelin Daniel Kaelin 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2024 State NE ) was seamless and maintained rythym. Both QBs did a great job keeping up the tempo and made the some great passes.
- 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.
- Overall, depth is just mind-boggling.
Omaha Burke Takeaways:
- 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.
- The offensive line showed its youth against an experienced DL. Katskee couldn’t get comfortable in the pocket.
- 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.
- The special team’s mistakes killed momentum on drives before they would start.
Players notes:
LJ Richardson LJ Richardson 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE (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
Trae Starks Trae Starks 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE (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.
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.
Kyrell Jordan Kyrell Jordan 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Bellevue West | 2023 State NE (WR) – Bellevue West
Kyrell really broke out this game, catching a beautifully placed by Daniel Kaelin Daniel Kaelin 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2024 State NE 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.
Burke Prospects:
Alec Cook Alec Cook 6'3" | 230 lbs | ATH Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE , 6’3″ 230 lbs (LB)
Cayden Echternach, 6’2″ 200 lbs (TE)
This is just the start of something great!! @BurkeFootball Thanks for the drive @ParkerThune it meant a lot for you to be there 💯 https://t.co/ceR1xJ4oSq
— Cayden Echternach (@CaydenEchterna1) August 27, 2021
Caden Bell, 6’1″ 200 lbs (DB)
Carmello Cross Carmello Cross 6'1" | 225 lbs | RB Omaha Burke | 2022 State NE , 6’0″ 250 lbs (DL)
Bellevue West Prospects
Luke Johannsen Luke Johannsen 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , 6’2″ 190 lbs (QB)
Daniel Kaelin Daniel Kaelin 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Bellevue West | 2024 State NE , 6’2″ 195 lbs (QB)
Kellen Steuben, 6’2″ 250 lbs (OL)
Gio Contreras, 5’11″ 195 lbs (WR/DB)
😕ugh next week pic.twitter.com/6EROt0dico
— Gio contreras (@giocontrera13) August 27, 2021
Jayden Roberts Jayden Roberts 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Bellevue West | 2022 State NE , 5’9″ 195 lbs (LB)
Travis Hines II, 6’ 150 lbs (DB)
https://twitter.com/Travywavy4/status/1431440383658037248?s=20