Class B First-Round Preview
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First Round Matchups: #16 Beatrice (3-6) at #1 Bennington (9-0) Projected Winner: Bennington Bennington has looked dominant all season long with a well-balanced offense and stingy defense.Average 42 points a game while only allowing an average of 8 points. Insane!…
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Continue ReadingFirst Round Matchups:
#16 Beatrice (3-6) at #1 Bennington (9-0)
Projected Winner: Bennington
- Bennington has looked dominant all season long with a well-balanced offense and stingy defense.
- Average 42 points a game while only allowing an average of 8 points. Insane!
- Trey Bird Trey Bird 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bennington | 2023 State NE has continued to impress with his smart decision-making and ability to tuck and run with the ball.
Player of the Game: QB Trey Bird Trey Bird 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Bennington | 2023 State NE
#9 Elkhorn North (6-3) at #8 Pius X (5-4)
Projected Winner: Elkhorn North
- Elkhorn North is fresh off a 4th quarter 20-point comeback over Blair.
- One thing I don’t think people realize is how good their DL trio of Sam Thomas, Brock Marler Brock Marler 6'1" | 255 lbs | OL Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE , and Cole Sharar Cole Sharar 6'4" | 300 lbs | DL Elkhorn North | 2023 State NE is. They get great push at the line of scrimmage and have been one of the more underrated DL groups in class B.
- QB Josh Basilevac Josh Basilevac 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Elkhorn North | 2023 State NE and WR/ATH Jett Tingelhoff have been playing very well in recent weeks. 2025 WR Chase Loftin Chase Loftin 6'6" | 215 lbs | TE Millard South | 2025 State NE has also quietly racked up 500+ receiving yards. This is a dangerous, young team that could do some damage.
- Matt Bohy Matt Bohy 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB Pius X | 2023 State NE and the Pius OL should make this a hard-fought, physical game.
Player of the Game: QB Josh Basilevac Josh Basilevac 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Elkhorn North | 2023 State NE
#12 Norris (4-5) at #5 Waverly (7-2)
Projected Winner: Waverly
- These two squads met up back in week 4, which resulted in a 42-0 Waverly win.
- Waverly rushing attack of Evan Kastens, Aden Smith, and FB Charlie Johnson has been brutal this year.
- Waverly QB Trey Jackson Trey Jackson 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Waverly | 2023 State NE has been efficient and smart under center, distributing the ball very well (4 receivers with 15+ receptions).
Player of the Game: RB Evan Kastens
#13 GI Northwest (4-5) at #4 Elkhorn (7-2)
Projected Winner: Elkhorn
- Elkhorn is another team with a strong multi-faceted running game. KJ Schenck KJ Schenck 5'10" | 155 lbs | ATH Elkhorn | 2023 State NE , Cooper Hunt, and Cooper Fedde Cooper Fedde 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Elkhorn | 2023 State NE are tough runners that can pound away at a defense.
- GINW has been on the upswing since their 0-3 start and has really been better than their record says. Austin Payne Austin Payne 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Grand Island Northwest | 2023 State NE is one of the best passers in Class B and Victor Isele Victor Isele 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Northwest | 2023 State NE can wreck a game with his edge-rushing ability.
- 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.
Player of the Game: RB/S KJ Schenck KJ Schenck 5'10" | 155 lbs | ATH Elkhorn | 2023 State NE
#14 Plattsmouth (4-5) at #3 Scottsbluff (8-1)
Projected Winner: Scottsbluff
- Scottsbluff has not received the buzz as the top two seeds (Bennington & Gross Catholic), but they have all the tools to make a run at Memorial Stadium.
- 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.
- Sebastien Boyle Sebastien Boyle 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Scottsbluff | 2024 State NE 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).
Player of the Game: RB Sebastien Boyle Sebastien Boyle 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Scottsbluff | 2024 State NE
#11 Blair (5-4) at #6 Skutt Catholic (6-3)
Projected Winner: Skutt Catholic
- 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).
- 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.
- Anthony Heithoff Anthony Heithoff 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Skutt Catholic | 2024 State NE , Colin Pike Colin Pike 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Skutt Catholic | 2024 State NE , Maccoy Holtam Maccoy Holtam 6'2" | 185 lbs | RB Skutt Catholic | 2023 State NE is a heck of a running back stable. Stopping one is hard, but all three is going to be tough.
Player of the Game: RB Anthony Heithoff Anthony Heithoff 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Skutt Catholic | 2024 State NE
#10 Seward (6-3) at #7 York (6-3)
Projected Winner: York
- A week 7 rematch that resulted in a 28-14 Duke victory. This will be a tightly contested game.
- Senior Dalton Snodgrass Dalton Snodgrass 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB York | 2023 State NE suffered an unfortunate injury last week. I’m curious to see the impact that will have on the York offense and defense.
- Seward does have playmakers that could go off, along with some beasts in the trenches.
Player of the Game: RB/ATH Seth Erickson Seth Erickson 6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH York | 2024 State NE
#15 Mount Michael (3-6) at #2 Gross Catholic (9-0)
Projected Winner: Gross Catholic
- Gross Catholic has been a machine this year as they have steamrolled their way to an undefeated regular season.
- The offensive line has been one of the biggest factors for their success. They are opening big running lanes for RB Jake Garcia Jake Garcia 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Gross Catholic | 2023 State NE and are also great in pass protection.
- Colby Duncan Colby Duncan 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Gross Catholic | 2024 State NE has been brilliant for the Cougars, and players like Owen Brennan, Ben Rice Ben Rice 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Gross Catholic | 2023 State NE , and Jackson Drake have all stepped up nicely.
Player of the Game: RB Jake Garcia Jake Garcia 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Gross Catholic | 2023 State NE
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