PRZNE State Championship Week Recap

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   Class A:   Before I talk about the game, I want to send my best wishes to Coach Limongi from Omaha Westside. As many sources reported, the Warriors were without Coach Limongi due to a medical emergency for Monday night's game. We want to wish him and his family the best during this time.   My first big takeaway is that this was surprisingly a defensive battle for most of the game. This game featured two of the best offenses in Class A, with both averaging well over 40 points a game, so the fact that they didn't even hit 40 total points was very surprising. It goes to show how much people underestimated the strength of both of these defenses.   [player_tooltip player_id='318990' first='Aamir' last='Hill'] had a massive breakout performance in which he rushed for 100 yards and had 64 receiving yards, while scoring three total touchdowns. Hill proved to be an elite playmaker with his mix of speed and ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Hill scored a 36-yard touchdown that gave the Patriots back the lead and then scored on an 81-yard touchdown run that shut the door on the Warriors.   LOTS of young players in this game with both teams returning several players next year. Westside looks to return 10 starters and several key players; [player_tooltip player_id='487734' first='Braylen' last='Warren'], [player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1114433' first='Maurice' last='Purify II'], [player_tooltip player_id='487559' first='Owen' last='James'], [player_tooltip player_id='1625833' first='Ahmad' last='Rustamov'], [player_tooltip player_id='402164' first='Quinton' last='Warren'], Burke Borwn, [player_tooltip player_id='795605' first='Reid' last='McIntyre'], and [player_tooltip player_id='402141' first='Bryson' last='Williams']. Millard South will return around 15 starters; [player_tooltip player_id='476963' first='Jett' last='Thomalla'], [player_tooltip player_id='779704' first='Gabe' last='Prucha'], [player_tooltip player_id='487568' first='Amarion' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='487608' first='Dallas' last='Gaius'], [player_tooltip player_id='487573' first='Isaac' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='402157' first='Landen' last='Von Seggern'], [player_tooltip player_id='1114438' first='Jack' last='Ladd'], [player_tooltip player_id='487602' first='Carter' last='Glab'], [player_tooltip player_id='1114437' first='Antonio' last='Harris'], Easton Villota, [player_tooltip player_id='1395767' first='Solomon' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='487606' first='Daxton' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='402165' first='Teagan' last='Urban'], [player_tooltip player_id='407456' first='Toris' last='Rudd Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='212372' first='DaShawn' last='Prince'], and [player_tooltip player_id='360014' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'].   If you weren't paying attention to Millard South DE [player_tooltip player_id='1395767' first='Solomon' last='Baker'], you should NOW! The Millard South junior had a big game in which he tallied 2.5 sacks and 3 TFLs. Baker is a lengthy, 6'4", 230-pound defensive end who can fire off the ball like a rocket and uses his hands very well to break away from blockers. He was constantly in the Warrior's backfield, wreaking havoc. Definitely a player who could have some offers coming up soon.   Now I know there is alot of change that will happen between now and next season, but with the amount of talent returning to both these teams, coaching, and the likelihood that they gain some new players through transfers, I don't think it would be far-fetched to say these are the two early favorites to be back at Memorial Stadium a year from now.   Class B:   It's one of the few times that the sequel equals or surpasses the original. Skutt Catholic and Bennington met in an absolute thriller back in week 8, in which the Skyhawks ended the Badgers' historic win streak. The two teams battled it out in an instant classic that saw several lead changes and big moments from each team.   [player_tooltip player_id='245855' first='Dylan' last='Van Dyke'] proved to be tough as they come after revealing he was dealing with injury before the game and was the target of a vicious Badger's pass rush. Despite it all, he stood tall for his team and helped deliver the win after throwing for 380 yards and scoring four total touchdowns (2 passing and 2 rushing).   On the receiving end of Van Dyke's big day was fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1059142' first='Joseph' last='Kolega'], who went off for 185 receiving yards and a touchdown on 14 receptions. Kolega has been one of the biggest risers of the season, as he set several school and state records. Kolega's mix of size, speed, and athleticism proved too much for opposing defenses all season long. Joseph also added six tackles and a pass breakup on defense.   Despite being on the losing end, Bennington senior [player_tooltip player_id='319575' first='Kyler' last='Lauridsen'] had one of the best individual performances I have seen in a state championship game. He carried the ball 29 times for 218 yards, 53 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. There was zero quit in Lauridsen as he barrelled through defenders while looking to pick up extra yardage after contact.   Class C1:   An all-time defensive performance from the Wahoo Warriors, who shut down an explosive Central City offense. Not only did Wahoo shut them down, but they forced a championship game record seven interceptions. [player_tooltip player_id='1060840' first='Noah' last='Bordovsky'] and Logan Kelly each had a pair of interceptions with [player_tooltip player_id='1060843' first='Caden' last='Smart'], [player_tooltip player_id='1217729' first='Kip' last='Brigham'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1217716' first='Sam' last='Marxsen'] also recording picks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1217729' first='Kip' last='Brigham'] was a hammer on offense as he chipped away at the Central City defense to the tune of 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Brigham is a very physical runner who doesn't shy away from contact and will even look to run right through defenders if they dare meet him 1v1.   Class C2:   This was a defensive slugfest for the first 3 quarters of the game, with a score of 7-6 going into the fourth frame. Eventually, the Norfolk Catholic playmakers broke the game open with three touchdowns from Trevin Sukup (one receiving and two rushing) and a massive 62-yard touchdown connection between [player_tooltip player_id='1625788' first='Callen' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='737021' first='Max' last='Hammond'].   Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1625811' first='Beau' last='Fujan'] stepped up nicely as injuries hindered the Cavalier's star RB [player_tooltip player_id='505891' first='Conor' last='Booth']. Beau contributed over 200 yards of offense and a passing touchdown. He faced a ferocious defense but remained calm and collected, often finding ways to make plays when things broke down.   Class D1:   This game was highly anticipated as both teams seemed destined to meet up in Memorial Stadium after dominant seasons. It looked like Stanton was gearing up to run away with this one after they pulled ahead 20-6 early in the second quarter. However, The Cougars were able to rush back and tied the game 20-20. Stanton took a 28-20 lead into halftime with a Wilke rushing touchdown. The third quarter was the [player_tooltip player_id='319196' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] show as he found Wes Biltoft and [player_tooltip player_id='1414202' first='Connor' last='Rempe'] for a pair of touchdowns and ran another one in. Stanton got back in the endzone, but a missed 2-point conversion left the score a 44-42.   [player_tooltip player_id='319196' first='Ethan' last='Shaw'] proved on the state's biggest stage that he is a dual threat to take into serious consideration when looking for a QB at the next level. He has prototypical size, athleticism, football IQ, and is a flat-out gamer. He threw for 100 yards and had 178 rushing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 2 rushing touchdowns. Shaw was also a menace on defense with 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a fumble recovery.   [player_tooltip player_id='1414202' first='Connor' last='Rempe'] is another player that really opened my eyes. He was everywhere for the Sandy Creek Cougars as he rushed for a touchdown, caught one, recorded 16 tackles, and a crucial TFL that stopped a promising Stanton drive.   Despite not being able to capture the back-to-back title, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='414786' first='Barrett' last='Wilke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='414922' first='Becker' last='Pohlman'] capped off excellent prep careers with a bang. Wilke rushed for 248 yards, passed for 50 yards, scored 5 total touchdowns, recorded 8 tackles, and a TFL. Pohlman led the team in tackles with 10, a TFL, rushed for 82 yards, 50 yards receiving, and a receiving touchdown.   Class D2:   I was not able to watch this game from the start, and when I finally started watching, the Cougars were up 44-0. Central Valley does an excellent job running the ball, allowing them to control the clock and the game's flow. They also showed they can break off big plays at a moment's notice, with their first three touchdowns coming from 20, 40, and 60 yards out.   [player_tooltip player_id='533091' first='Zaden' last='Wolf'] is a flat-out playmaker who can strike from anywhere. He led the charge for the Cougars with 153 rushing yards and three touchdowns with 5 tackles and a TFL on defense.   The Cougar's defense gets the collective MVP as they held a very explosive Riverside offense to under 250 total yards of offense. They also recorded 5 sacks, 12 TFLs, and three interceptions.   Class D6:   The Broncos made some great adjustments in the second half including how to slow down the SEM run game that was giving them trouble. The defensive line and linebackers fit their gaps very well and were able to disruptive at the line of scrimmage. This forced SEM into shifting for to the pass which isn't their preferred way to attack opposing defenses.   Kayden Ramm is a name to keep an eye on. He had a tremendous junior season in which he threw for 1,300+ yards and rushed for 600+ yards with 49 total touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1414404' first='Maddox' last='Jones'] is a stud! He carried the load for the SEM offense with 22 carries for 114 yards and three rushing touchdowns. It seemed like every time the Mustangs needed a big play or had to convert on third, Jones was there to make the play. Very strong runner with great contact balance and leg drive.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PRZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.

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