PRZNE Championship Game Preview | Norfolk Cath. v Bishop Neumann

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>The Game:</em></span></strong> #1 Norfolk Catholic (12-0) vs. #2 Bishop Neumann (11-1) at Memorial Stadium-UNL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">The Journey:</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Norfolk Catholic Schedule:</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-regular"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Opponent</em></strong></th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Score</em></strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Bishop Neumann (A)</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">28-21 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Boone Central (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">36 -7 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">North Bend Central (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">62-13 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Arlington (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">52-19 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Ponca (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">43-16 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">West Point-Beemer (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">49-12 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Oakland-Craig (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">48-21 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Battle Creek (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">19-14 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Cedar Catholic (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">34-10 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">#16 Ord (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">33-8(W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">#9 Raymond Central (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">41-14 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">#13 Kearney Catholic (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">35-13 (W)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Bishop Neumann Schedule:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-regular"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Opponent</em></strong></th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Score</em></strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Norfolk Catholic (H)</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">28-21 (L)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Yutan (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">40-0 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">West Point-Beemer (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">40-6 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Hastings St. Cecilia (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">73-7 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Palmyra (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">74-0 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Malcolm (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">53-7 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Conestoga (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">50-0 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Lincoln Lutheran (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">55-24 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Raymond Central (A)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">48-27 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">#15 Lincoln Lutheran</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">49-7 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">#7 Cedar Catholic (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">24-21 (W)</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">#3 Battle Creek (H)</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"> 6-0 (W)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>Projected Starting Lineups (Based on semi-final starters):</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Norfolk Catholic:</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offense:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB - (#4) [player_tooltip player_id='1625788' first='Callen' last='Marshall'] (Jr.) - 6'0" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/Callen_Marshall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB - (#3) Trevin Sukup (Sr.) - 5'10" 170 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/TrevinSukup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB - (#5) [player_tooltip player_id='737021' first='Max' last='Hammond'] - 6'0" 190 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/mhammond_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FB - (#7) [player_tooltip player_id='1113987' first='Nathan' last='Timmerman'] (Sr) - 6'0" 185 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/BrendenFlood" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - (#2) [player_tooltip player_id='1060905' first='Hayden' last='Kelley'] - 6'1" 185 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/HaydenKelley_2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TE - (#18) [player_tooltip player_id='1314950' first='Braeden' last='Burbach'] (Sr) - 6'7" 230 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/braeden_burbach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LT - (#55) [player_tooltip player_id='1617346' first='Leighton' last='Burbach'] (Jr.) - 6'8" 250 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/LeightonBurbs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LG - (#53) [player_tooltip player_id='1060906' first='Brenden' last='Flood'] (Sr.) - <a href="https://x.com/BrendenFlood" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - (#75) Owen Snodgrass (Sr.) - 5'10" 165 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/OmanNeb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - (#52) Cael Puntney (So.) - 6'0" 205 lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - (#73) Shaun Clinch (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Defense:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#18) [player_tooltip player_id='1314950' first='Braeden' last='Burbach'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#65) Sam Johnson (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#69) Tyson Risinger (Sr.) - 5'10" 220 lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#73) Shaun Clinch (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#5) [player_tooltip player_id='737021' first='Max' last='Hammond'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#6) [player_tooltip player_id='1113988' first='Gage' last='Yosten'] (Jr.) - 6'1" 215 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/gage_yosten1036" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#8) Aiden Corr (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#44) Oliver Daniel (Jr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#2) [player_tooltip player_id='1060905' first='Hayden' last='Kelley'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#3) Trevin Sukup (Sr.) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#7) [player_tooltip player_id='1113987' first='Nathan' last='Timmerman'] (Jr.) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Bishop Neumann:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offense:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB - (#0) - [player_tooltip player_id='1625811' first='Beau' last='Fujan'] (Jr.) - 6'2" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/BeauFujan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB - (#23) - [player_tooltip player_id='505891' first='Conor' last='Booth'] - Nebraska Commit - <a href="https://x.com/ConorBooth23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FB - (#44) Kamber Lechtenberg (Sr.) - 5'7" 175 lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - (#7) Jake Rezac (Sr.) - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - (#10) Marcus Woita (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TE - (#45) [player_tooltip player_id='1607914' first='Jarred' last='Cernik'] (Sr.) - 6''0" 205 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/jarred_cernik45" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LT - (#55) [player_tooltip player_id='1048090' first='Calib' last='Svoboda'] (Sr.) - 6'2" 250 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/svoboda24531" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LG - (#79) [player_tooltip player_id='533070' first='Andrew' last='Meduna'] (Sr.) - Wayne State Commit - <a href="https://x.com/andrew_meduna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>C - (#65) Jack Kufahl (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RG - (#63) Charles Toline (Jr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RT - (#77) Matthew Thulin (Jr.) - 6'4" 275 lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Defense:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#79) [player_tooltip player_id='533070' first='Andrew' last='Meduna']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#55) [player_tooltip player_id='1048090' first='Calib' last='Svoboda']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#10) Marcus Woita (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - (#45) [player_tooltip player_id='1607914' first='Jarred' last='Cernik'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#44) Kamber Lechtenberg (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#18) [player_tooltip player_id='1115000' first='Jack' last='Van Slyke'] (Jr.) - 5'11" 220 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/jack_van_slyke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - (#11) [player_tooltip player_id='1588476' first='Quin' last='Schutt'] (So.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#1) Isaiah Nagle (Sr.) - 5'10" 170 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/iznagle_19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#7) Jake Rezac (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#22) Alex Barry (Jr.) - 5'8" 130 lbs </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - (#26) Will Sassaman (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>Tale of the Tape:</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Norfolk Catholic:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Last Championship:</em> 1983, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2022, and 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Runner-Up:</em> 1984, 1987, 1993, 1996, 2009, 2018, and 2021.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Team Averages:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- 40 Points/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- 14 Points Allowed/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Stat Leaders:</em> N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Bishop Neumann:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Last Championship:</em> 1977, 2002, and 2003. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Runner-Up:</em> 1975, 1980, 1985, 2000, 2007, and 2016.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Team Stats:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 44.4 Points/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 370.8 Offensive Yards/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 76.3 Passing Yards/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 294.4 Rushing Yards/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 10.5 Points Allowed/game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 20 Sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 8 Interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>– 6 Fumbles recovered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Stat Leaders:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Passing: </em>Jake Rezac (Sr.) - 687 passing yards (12 touchdowns and 87.6 QBR).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rushing:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='505891' first='Conor' last='Booth'] (Sr.) - 2,906 rushing yards (251 carries and 49 touchdowns).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Receiving:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1607914' first='Jarred' last='Cernik'] (Sr.) - 386 receiving yards (17 catches and 5 receiving touchdowns).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Tackles: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1115000' first='Jack' last='Van Slyke'] (Jr.) - 144 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sacks:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1607914' first='Jarred' last='Cernik'] (Sr.) - 4 Sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Interceptions: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1625811' first='Beau' last='Fujan'] (Jr.) - 3 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>Overview:</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a long road since the week 1 matchup between these two squads, and now they face off again this season on the biggest stage. Norfolk Catholic enters the game, having won the last two C2 championships, and is currently on a 38-game winning streak. The Norfolk Catholic machine continues to reload every year with incredibly versatile players at the skill positions and big maulers in the trenches. [player_tooltip player_id='1625788' first='Callen' last='Marshall'] has stepped in nicely for the Knights and has had an extremely efficient season. [player_tooltip player_id='737021' first='Max' last='Hammond'] has emerged as a threat on the ground and through the air. On the other sideline are the Cavaliers and all-state RB [player_tooltip player_id='505891' first='Conor' last='Booth'], who has been gashing defenses and shattering records. Booth has put up video game numbers week in and week out, totaling 2,900+ rushing yards and an insane 49 rushing touchdowns. However, the Cavaliers aren't a one-man show, as they also feature physical offensive and defensive lines. Also, keep an eye out for junior [player_tooltip player_id='1115000' first='Jack' last='Van Slyke'], who has had a tremendous season but seems to have turned it up a notch during the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>My Prediction:</em></span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Norfolk Catholic</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norfolk Catholic has not shown any signs of slowing down or being slowed down, and I believe that will continue this week. The depth and versatility the Knights have with guys like Hammond, Timmerman, Sukup, and Kelley might be too much for Bishop Neumann to overcome. Taming a beast like [player_tooltip player_id='505891' first='Conor' last='Booth'] will be no easy task, but they did hold him to his lowest rushing total this season, so they've shown it's possible. Coach Bellar and the Knights should extend their state championship record and claim title #13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->