Class B Championship Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In front of a crowd of 6,314 at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE, the Waverly Vikings defeated the Griffins of Gretna East 42-27 to win their first title in 45 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings controlled most of the night, taking a 28–14 lead into halftime. Gretna tightened up defensively in the third quarter, holding Waverly scoreless while punching in a touchdown, a [player_tooltip player_id='1075673' first='Chase' last='Grow'] to [player_tooltip player_id='488169' first='Caden' last='Annis'] 28-yard TD pass and catch, to pull within seven at 28–21. Waverly responded early in the fourth to extend the lead to 35–21, on a [player_tooltip player_id='488222' first='Nathan' last='Axmann'] 4-yard TD run. Gretna answered again but missed the extra point, closing the gap to 35–27. Moments later, Axmann sealed the win with a 53-yard touchdown run, securing the 42–27 final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>General takeaways: for a large part of the game Waverly was the more physical team, at times running their offensive with 6-8 offensive lineman (OL); playing a total of 10 different OL. The Ax came down on East. Axmann simply was too much, especially in the 2nd half scoring all three of his TDs, as well as all of Waverly's in the 2nd half. Finally, Gretna East did not go away. The Griffins clawed back from being down by 3 TDs, cutting the lead to one score twice in the 4th quarter. Let's see who stood out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waverly Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. RB [player_tooltip player_id='488222' first='Nathan' last='Axmann'] 6'0 170 – 41 carries, 277 yards, 3 TD and 2 catches for 45 yards. <strong>Uncommitted but for how long? One of the best RBs in the state.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1085095' first='Brockston' last='Teply'] 6'4" 205 – 8-of-11 passing, 138 yards, 2 TD. <strong>One of the best in the 2027 class! <strong>Recent offer from Nebraska-Kearney</strong></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1192420' first='Gavin' last='McMillan'] 6'2 185 – 4 carriers, 49 yards, 1 TD and 3 catches for 44 yards. A Class B finalist for defensive player of the year. <strong>A top 2027 WR/DB to keep an eye on. Good size, very good speed!</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. TE/Edge [player_tooltip player_id='488221' first='Brady' last='Schieffer'] 6'5" 210 <strong>Recent offer from</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University of Central Missouri </strong>– had numerous pressures, 3 total tackles, 2 for losses, 1 interception and was an integral part of the front-line blocking that led Waverly to 332 yards rushing. With 357 receiving yards on the season, we know he can catch, Monday he demonstrated that he is a complete, two-way player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>That offensive line and defensive line</strong>. Both were dominant for the most part, particularly the OL: Let's list them!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. T/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1310640' first='Tyson' last='Heine'] 6'5" 258 <strong>Recent offer from the University of Sioux Falls</strong> – And on defense had a key sack on a 4th down in their own territory to stop a East's drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. G Holden Kroese</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. G/T Tate Fanning</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. OL Ethan Pospisil</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. C [player_tooltip player_id='1844165' first='Colt' last='Fanning'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. G [player_tooltip player_id='1573607' first='Chase' last='Koehler']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. TE/OL Sam Daake 6'2" 205</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. OL/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1202050' first='Max' last='Leininger'] – 6 tackles on defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. T Kody Hyda 6'2" 255</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. MLB [player_tooltip player_id='1310007' first='Gavin' last='Ruskamp'] 6'0 205 <strong>Recent offer from Peru State College </strong>– 5 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. DL Kaden Fritz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So. DL Ryland Krajewski, chipped in 2 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gretna East Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1075660' first='Connor' last='Sams'] 5'10 195 <strong>Air Force Commit</strong> – 11 carries, 111 yards, 3 TD and 1 catch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1075673' first='Chase' last='Grow'] 6'1" 185 – 11-of-26 passing, 225 yards, 4 TD, 1 int. <strong>A dual threat QB in the class of '27; one to watch out for!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. WR [player_tooltip player_id='488169' first='Caden' last='Annis'] 6'2 185 – 4 catches, 113 yards, 2 TD </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1552268' first='Carver' last='Fritchen'] 6'2 185 – 2 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jr. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1683843' first='Lucas' last='Haverty'] – 17 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1075678' first='Cade' last='Thompson'] – 10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery. A Class B finalist for defensive player of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sr. OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1217777' first='Liam' last='Norton'] 6'0 255 <strong>Nebraska-Kearney commit</strong> – 7 tackles </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow me at <a href="https://x.com/NebrPrepRedZone?t=TUdjvJru20LugG5ug2jzYQ&amp;s=09">https://x.com/NebrPrepRedZone?t=TUdjvJru20LugG5ug2jzYQ&amp;s=09</a> for ongoing scouting updates!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->