Class B Semi-Finals: Gretna vs. Gretna East Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal Showdown: Crosstown Rivals #11 Gretna and #1 Gretna East Set for High-Stakes Rematch!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the matchup everyone in the Gretna district has been anticipating: the Class B State Semifinals will feature a dramatic crosstown rematch as the No. 11 seeded Gretna Dragons (7-4) prepare to face the No. 2 seeded Gretna East Griffins (10-1).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​This game is more than just a trip to the state championship; it's the renewal of a fierce, yet young, rivalry. Born just three years ago when the district split to form Gretna East, the intensity between these two schools is palpable. Now, with a state title berth on the line, the stakes could not be higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​Gretna enters the semifinal as the undisputed underdog and the lowest seed remaining in the entire Class B bracket. However, their 35-28 loss to Gretna East back on October 24th suggests that the gap between these two teams is much smaller than the seedings indicate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>​In that thrilling first encounter, the Gretna offense was remarkably efficient. The Dragons actually outgained the high-powered Griffins offense, tallying 473 total yards compared to Gretna East's 373. The difference quite likely was turnovers: 3 for Gretna, none for East. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East wants to run it, Gretna throw it. The team that neutralizes the other's strength and/or is successful in their secondary offensive focus likely will prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Gretna East</th><th>Stats</th><th>Gretna</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>270.2</td><th>Rushing Yards Per Game</th><td> 152.3</td></tr><tr><td>165.2</td><th>Passing Yards Per Game</th><td> 291.4</td></tr><tr><td>161.6</td><th>Receiving Yards Per Game</th><td> 292.3</td></tr><tr><td>435.4</td><th>Total Yards Per Game</th><td> 443.6</td></tr><tr><td>77.1</td><th>Tackles Per Game</th><td> 69.7</td></tr><tr><td>1.2</td><th>Sacks Per Game</th><td> 0.8</td></tr><tr><td>39.7</td><th>Points Per Game</th><td> 33.8</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All eyes will be on this epic semifinal rematch with the ultimate prize—a spot in the Class B State Final—up for grabs. Keep your eye on these players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gretna East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1075673' first='Chase' last='Grow'] (Jr) 113 pass yds./game, 62 rush yds./game. 20 total TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1075660' first='Connor' last='Sams'] (Sr) 1,894 rush yds., 172/game, 24 total TDs. <strong>Air Force Academy Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR/KR: [player_tooltip player_id='533088' first='Seth' last='Kraegel'] (Sr) 754 all-purpose yds. 8 total TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1075678' first='Cade' last='Thompson'] (Sr) 97 total tackles (58 solo), 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 hurries, 1 int. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1683843' first='Lucas' last='Haverty'] (So) 94 total tackles (52 solo), 2 TFL, 1 sack, 3 hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='1217777' first='Liam' last='Norton'] (Sr) 50 total tackles (27 solo), 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 6 hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gretna</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='402158' first='Michael' last='Knudsen'] (Sr) 289 pass yds./game, 24 rush yds./game, 35 total TDs. <strong>Northwest Missouri State Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1895035' first='Ayden' last='Furstenau'] (So) 887 total yds., 6 total TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1429588' first='Bryce' last='Lakers'] (Sr) 102 receiving yds./game, 12 total TDs. <strong>Univ. of Kearney Commit</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB/RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1573579' first='Cayson' last='Schlotfeld'] (So) 514 total yds, 8 total TDs. 120 tackles (55 solo), 3.5 TFL, 1 sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='1429556' first='Alex' last='Gibbons'] (Sr) 82 tackles (40 solo), 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OLB: [player_tooltip player_id='1815939' first='Clay' last='Gathye'] (Sr) (Sr) 82 tackles (47 solo), 5.5 TFL, 1 sack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->