Class B First-Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First Round Matchups:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#16 Beatrice</em></strong> (3-6) at <strong><em>#1 Bennington</em></strong> (9-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Bennington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Bennington has looked dominant all season long with a well-balanced offense and stingy defense.</li><li>Average 42 points a game while only allowing an average of 8 points. Insane!</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='217057' first='Trey' last='Bird'] has continued to impress with his smart decision-making and ability to tuck and run with the ball.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game: </em></strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='217057' first='Trey' last='Bird']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_635844cb085ff","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14908081/634cbb710428dc13fccfb1b2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#9 Elkhorn North</em></strong> (6-3) at <strong><em>#8 Pius X</em></strong> (5-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Elkhorn North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Elkhorn North is fresh off a 4th quarter 20-point comeback over Blair.</li><li>One thing I don't think people realize is how good their DL trio of Sam Thomas, [player_tooltip player_id='250705' first='Brock' last='Marler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='330899' first='Cole' last='Sharar'] is. They get great push at the line of scrimmage and have been one of the more underrated DL groups in class B.</li><li>QB [player_tooltip player_id='373283' first='Josh' last='Basilevac'] and WR/ATH Jett Tingelhoff have been playing very well in recent weeks. 2025 WR [player_tooltip player_id='319200' first='Chase' last='Loftin'] has also quietly racked up 500+ receiving yards. This is a dangerous, young team that could do some damage.</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='227562' first='Matt' last='Bohy'] and the Pius OL should make this a hard-fought, physical game.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game:</em></strong> QB [player_tooltip player_id='373283' first='Josh' last='Basilevac']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_635844f608600","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14356738/635541a82ab16705081a8d61' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#12 Norris</em></strong> (4-5) at <strong><em>#5 Waverly</em></strong> (7-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Waverly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>These two squads met up back in week 4, which resulted in a 42-0 Waverly win. </li><li>Waverly rushing attack of Evan Kastens, Aden Smith, and FB Charlie Johnson has been brutal this year. </li><li>Waverly QB [player_tooltip player_id='227073' first='Trey' last='Jackson'] has been efficient and smart under center, distributing the ball very well (4 receivers with 15+ receptions).</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game:</em></strong> RB Evan Kastens</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6358452308601","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14376804/634bee2f9677de13609093fc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#13 GI Northwest</em></strong> (4-5) at <strong><em>#4 Elkhorn</em></strong> (7-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Elkhorn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Elkhorn is another team with a strong multi-faceted running game. [player_tooltip player_id='239885' first='KJ' last='Schenck'], Cooper Hunt, and [player_tooltip player_id='398292' first='Cooper' last='Fedde'] are tough runners that can pound away at a defense.</li><li>GINW has been on the upswing since their 0-3 start and has really been better than their record says. [player_tooltip player_id='302211' first='Austin' last='Payne'] is one of the best passers in Class B and [player_tooltip player_id='245573' first='Victor' last='Isele'] can wreck a game with his edge-rushing ability.</li><li>I think Elkhorn's experience will give the Antlers the edge, but don't be surprised if the Vikings keep it tight. Major last-minute field goal, gritty, 17-14 in OT type of game.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game:</em></strong> RB/S [player_tooltip player_id='239885' first='KJ' last='Schenck']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_63584dd108604","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14657166/634ef96519a6f817d8eb4aa1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#14 Plattsmouth</em></strong> (4-5) at <strong><em>#3 Scottsbluff </em></strong>(8-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Scottsbluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Scottsbluff has not received the buzz as the top two seeds (Bennington &amp; Gross Catholic), but they have all the tools to make a run at Memorial Stadium.</li><li>This is a team that is very physical on both sides of the ball. They're tough in the trenches, and their LB/Secondary is very versatile.</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='245849' first='Sebastien' last='Boyle'] has been on fire this season and should be even harder to tackle as the game-time temperatures begin to drop (especially if you're traveling to Scottsbluff).</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game:</em></strong> RB [player_tooltip player_id='245849' first='Sebastien' last='Boyle']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_63584df608605","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15029872/63584c8bda5c0d0894c7e8b9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#11 Blair</em></strong> (5-4) at <strong><em>#6 Skutt Catholic</em></strong> (6-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Skutt Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>This is a toss-up matchup for me, only giving the slight edge to Skutt because they've had solid momentum going for them toward the end of the season (minus last week's loss). </li><li>Giving up a 20-point lead in the 4th last week to Elkhorn North will either be major motivation fuel this week or be a momentum killer. </li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='250612' first='Anthony' last='Heithoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='250610' first='Colin' last='Pike'], [player_tooltip player_id='226969' first='Maccoy' last='Holtam'] is a heck of a running back stable. Stopping one is hard, but all three is going to be tough.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game:</em></strong> RB [player_tooltip player_id='250612' first='Anthony' last='Heithoff']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_63584e1608606","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14771622/6341a81d42057805103f16a0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#10 Seward</em></strong> (6-3) at <strong><em>#7 York</em></strong> (6-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> York</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>A week 7 rematch that resulted in a 28-14 Duke victory. This will be a tightly contested game.</li><li>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='227082' first='Dalton' last='Snodgrass'] suffered an unfortunate injury last week. I'm curious to see the impact that will have on the York offense and defense.</li><li>Seward does have playmakers that could go off, along with some beasts in the trenches. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game: </em></strong>RB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='250701' first='Seth' last='Erickson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6358455608603","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11760681/63430264bd74cb01d8e708e3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#15 Mount Michael</em></strong> (3-6) at <strong><em>#2 Gross Catholic</em></strong> (9-0)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Winner:</em></strong> Gross Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Gross Catholic has been a machine this year as they have steamrolled their way to an undefeated regular season.</li><li>The offensive line has been one of the biggest factors for their success. They are opening big running lanes for RB [player_tooltip player_id='227094' first='Jake' last='Garcia'] and are also great in pass protection.</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='307090' first='Colby' last='Duncan'] has been brilliant for the Cougars, and players like Owen Brennan, [player_tooltip player_id='398296' first='Ben' last='Rice'], and Jackson Drake have all stepped up nicely.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Player of the Game:</em></strong> RB [player_tooltip player_id='227094' first='Jake' last='Garcia']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_6358453f08602","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13113065/6355bf88bd74ac0c5c5f8219' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->