Class 3A Championship: Wahlert Catholic vs. Humboldt

The Class 3A championship was a matchup of unlikely foes that have pushed their way to the top of the class; Wahlert Catholic and Humboldt. Wahlert Catholic, who went winless in 2018, capped off a historic season in 2024 by claiming their first state championship in school history. The game got off to a fast start, with both teams making splash plays as the game got was tied at 7-7 at the halfway point of the first quarter. However, Wahlert went on an unprecedented scoring streak, and by halftime, the Golden Eagles were up 35-7. While Humboldt was able to progress the ball, accumulating 271 yards of total offense, they were plagued with critical mistakes as the Eagles forced three turnovers in the game. The offense for the Golden Eagles dominated across the board, finishing with a stunning 493 total yards from scrimmage as they routed Humboldt 49-14 to earn the first state title in the school's history.   Here are 8 players that stood out in the championship game!    The primary QB for Wahlert this season, Drew Reilly, took a step back early in the game after he made easy work of the Wildcats' defense early on to build a staggering lead at halftime. Reilly would finish the game 3 of 5 passing for 80 yards and a touchdown, while adding 4 carries for 23 yards and 2 touchdowns. Reilly connected on two passes of 30+ yards, including a 35 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to give the Golden Eagles the lead in which they would hold for the rest of the game. Reilly's was so effective offensively in such a limited amount of snaps that he mostly sat behind sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1616422' first='JP' last='Elbert'] in the second half as they cruised to victory. Reilly finishes an impressive senior season where he was called upon from his RB duties to start at QB this season and has led the team to a state title.     The MVP of the game was [player_tooltip player_id='1286440' first='Tom' last='Scherr'], who delivered as a big-time playmaker on offense despite playing with a high ankle sprain. Scherr caught 5 passes for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, while adding 6 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. Scherr was able to stretch the secondary, showing explosive bursts and quick instincts as the ball went in the air as put up several highlight-reel plays both in the passing game, and running the ball on Jet sweep plays. Scherr finishes his senior season with over 1200 yards and 20 touchdowns from scrimmage, and his versatile usage on offense makes him a valuable component for targeting teams, with his value skyrocketing after winning the championship game's MVP title.     [player_tooltip player_id='1616422' first='JP' last='Elbert'] thrived in the big stage as the sophomore rallied his offense to the top of Class 3A. Elbert finished the game 8 of 12 passing for 131 yards and a touchdown, while adding 4 carries for 17 yards. Elbert was able to slice through Humboldt's strong secondary, making the correct reads, and surprising the Wildcats with a couple of trick plays that resulted in big gains and conversions for the offense. Elbert saw a predominant amount of playing time after the second quarter, and even in a limited role thrived against one of the top defenses in the class. Elbert is going to have a great career ahead of him when he takes the full reins of the starting job next season.     The Golden Eagles pounded the ball for 282 total rushing yards on Saturday, and senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1286448' first='Michael' last='Bormann'] capped off a massive campaign with another big performance on the big stage. Bormann ran for 126 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown, while adding 2 receptions for 13 yards. On the defensive side, Bormann recorded 4 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack. Bormann was able to create consistent gains on the ground, finding the holes through the defense and running through them with ease. Bormann had an overall commandeering presence on both sides of the ball as he proved too much for Humboldt to handle. Bormann should be due a wave of offers coming his way very soon.     It was a disappointing ending for Humboldt's dominant campaign this season, but despite the offensive mistakes in the game, Coen Matson was still able to find splices of success maneuvering through the Golden Eagles' secondary. Matson finished 15 of 24 for 159 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. Matson did make some great reads and sharp throws through tight windows during the game, being able to get his teams down the field, though his efforts ultimately didn't culminate in much points. Despite a saddening ending to the season, Matson had a massive campaign in which he threw for over 2600 yards and 28 touchdowns as he led the team from 5-5 in 2023, to the state championship game this season, which could see him earn offers heading into the offseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='1840781' first='Will' last='Welbes'] led the charge in the middle of the defense, performing particularly well in pass coverage to shut down one of the best QBs in the state this season. Welbes recorded 6.5 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble which led to a turnover early in the game which turned the tide, and set the tone as the Golden Eagles' defense dominated the game. Welbes also recorded 3 carries for 23 yards and a rushing touchdown. Welbes simply could not be contained by Humboldt's offense, as he showed quick sideline-to-sideline speed that completely shut down the outside run, and he also played effectively in goal-line defense to keep the Wildcats out of the end zone for most of the game. Welbes stepped up in a big way in the championship game as he has throughout this season, and he will continue leading the defense with effectiveness in 2026.     Will's older brother, Luke Welbes, also had a statement performance in the secondary for the Golden Eagles. Welbes finished 4 tackles and an interception which came late in the 4th quarter. Welbes made a perfect play on a forced pass which he returned 25 yards, setting up a touchdown drive that would ultimately put the game away for the Golden Eagles. Welbes finishes his senior campaign with 5 interceptions to his name as he has proven to be a critical playmaker capable of making game-changing interceptions.     [player_tooltip player_id='1616430' first='Cash' last='McIntire'] provided Humboldt with one of the few sparks for the offense at the beginning of the game, when he scored on an 80 yard touchdown run to bring the score to 7-7. McIntire's run came on the team's first play of the drive, in which he burst through a hole and sprinted with quick strides, outrunning the defense all the way to the end zone. Unfortunately, this proved to be the lone highlight of the game as McIntire was mostly shut down after this play. As a sophomore, McIntire led the team in rushing yards (566), and he should have an increased role on the offense going forward.

The Class 3A championship was a matchup of unlikely foes that have pushed their way to the top of the class; Wahlert Catholic and Humboldt. Wahlert Catholic, who went winless in 2018, capped off a historic season in 2024 by claiming their first state championship in school history. The game got off to a fast start, with both teams making splash plays as the game got was tied at 7-7 at the halfway point of the first quarter. However, Wahlert went on an unprecedented scoring streak, and by halftime, the Golden Eagles were up 35-7. While Humboldt was able to progress the ball, accumulating 271 yards of total offense, they were plagued with critical mistakes as the Eagles forced three turnovers in the game. The offense for the Golden Eagles dominated across the board, finishing with a stunning 493 total yards from scrimmage as they routed Humboldt 49-14 to earn the first state title in the school's history.