Class C2 State Championship – Norfolk Catholic vs. Cedar Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class C2 championship was a matchup between two prominent teams in Norfolk Catholic and Hartington Cedar Catholic. Norfolk Catholic came in as the wire-to-wire #1 team in Class C2. The Trojans came riding a strong defensive effort in which they only allowed 23 points in three previous playoff games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans started off strong on defense, holding Norfolk Catholic to a field goal on their first drive. However a turnover by Cedar Catholic gave the ball, and the momentum back to the Knight's defense really flexed its muscle in this game. They managed to bottle up the Trojan's offense and held them scoreless. A diverse rushing attack by the Knights saw four players with 8+ carries and kept them ahead of the sticks. Cedar Catholic began to gain momentum on drives in the 4th quarter but was never able to capitalize on them. When the clock hit zero, Norfolk Catholic stood tall as the undefeated Class C2 champions and won their all-time leading 11th football state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Game MVP:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='239974' first='Karter' last='Kerkman'] | 2023 | RB | Norfolk Catholic | 6'1" 195 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite battling some injuries, RB [player_tooltip player_id='239974' first='Karter' last='Kerkman'] made it to Memorial and helped lead the Knight's rushing attack. Although the Norfolk Catholic rushing attack was tamed to a certain extent, Kerkman still rushed for 67 rushing yards on 12 touches. Kerkman also scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter to extend the Knight's lead. Karter still showed lots of power and toughness in his runs, even with lingering injuries. He plays hard and physical and makes it tough for defenses to keep up with him in the 4th quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NebPublicMedia/status/1595099270654345218?s=20u0026t=XAk9kRaiqdyghude4zqEuw","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NebPublicMedia/status/1595099270654345218?s=20u0026t=XAk9kRaiqdyghude4zqEuw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Norfolk Catholic Standouts:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='227091' first='Kanyon' last='Talton'] | 2023 | RB/ATH | 5'10" 165 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='227091' first='Kanyon' last='Talton'] was the leader in offensive yardage for the game. Talton rushed 18 times for 67 yards and 2 catches for 32 receiving yards along with the first touchdown of the game. Kanyon did a great job with his touches and was a nice complimentary runner along with Kerkman. He is a shifty back with great vision and the ability to fit through tight creases. The Cedar Catholic defense did a decent job keeping big plays to a minimum, but normally when Kanyon gets going he can GET GOING! Very intriguing prospect!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Max Hammond | 2025 | WR/DB/K | 6'0" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore Max Hammond broke out in this game by having a solid all-around game. Hammond made several standout plays, including a game-sealing interception and 5 points from kicking. Hammond opened up the scoring with a 29-yard field goal and then made 2/3 of his XPs. Hammond's play shows the impressive depth and skill that fills the Norfolk Catholic roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cedar Catholic Standouts:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='240000' first='Grant' last='Arens'] | 2023 | WR/DB | 6'2" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cedar Catholic offense had a tough time getting going, however, when they looked Arens way, he usually made a play. Arens is an athletic player that uses his lengthy frame very well as a receiver and in pass coverage. Grant hauled in 5 receptions for 31 receiving yards and helped keep some drives alive. Arens is a great athlete with the ball in his hands and can make a splash play at a moment's notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Jaelen Lammers | 2023 | LB </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lammers was a name I heard and saw a lot of during this game. Jaelen ended the game with 19 tackles which were the most out of any defender. Lammers does a great job stepping up into his gap and meeting the RB in the hole. He hits hard and effectively by wrapping up and following through with his tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 -->