Top Games for 10/9/2020

Millard West at Bellevue West

We haven’t seen the T-Birds in a few weeks (what’s new?). Millard West limps in to this one a shell of the team that played BW in the state semifinals last year. But it’s two power programs and a chance to see a lot of really good players. Could Bellevue West win a state title with having played just 8 games? Sure looks like it.

Elkhorn at Bennington

To my knowledge, the first ever varsity meeting between these two western Douglas county schools. And is it ever a big one. Both these teams will be there in the end so it’s just a gauge of how far each team might go and is huge for playoff seedings. Badgers need to find a way to stop the run and Elkhorn will see the best offense they’ve seen this season with Kale Bird and company.

Ashland-Greenwood at Wahoo

Top 5 battle in C1 with unbeaten Bluejays and defending champions Wahoo, who have only lost to Adams Central. Obviously, Cale Jacobsen’s health and status are big in this one. Wahoo’s defense is very good but they were gashed by Hyatt Collins earlier in the season. Now they see perhaps a better back with future Husker Matthew Schuster. Of course, the Warriors have their own dude with Colin Ludvik. What a battle!

Aurora at Hastings

Chance for the Tigers to make a statement since Aurora is their only real link to the eastern part of the state where the best teams are at right now. This is by far Hastings’ top opponent of the season. The Huskies don’t have a lot of depth as they’re one of the smallest Class B schools. They do have dangerous Ethan Shaw and a big physical line in front of him and Mack Owens. Aurora’s secondary is going to get tested-they’ll give up yards but can they limit the damage that Synek and his quartet of receivers can do? Watch the big plays here-if Aurora can play ball control and keep the Hastings receivers in front of them they’ll have a shot.

Elkhorn South at Gretna

The Dragons got all they wanted from Class B Skutt last week in their first real tough game of the year. Elkhorn South is big and nasty up front and has athletes all over the field. Storm have Kearney and Lincoln Southeast to close out the year after this one. Still have questions about both of these teams-can ES consistently move the football against a good opponent and how good is the Gretna defense? Let’s find out.

Adams Central at Kearney Catholic

Adams Central’s defense is really good. Let me say that again-they’re really good. They can stop the run and they can stop a high-powered passing attack as they did last week against Central City. The question in this one is can Kearney Catholic man up against a physical Patriot team that will punish you on the ground with Hyatt Collins or beat you through the air with Tyler Slechta. AC defense will be extra juiced to face future Husker Heinrich Haarberg.

Hartington CC at Oakland-Craig

OC vividly remembers last year’s opening round nail biter against HCC so they won’t dare look ahead to next week against Bergan. Hartington rolled up over 600 yards against Crofton and shut down the Warriors as well as both Aquinas and OC did. These are the kinds of games that the Knights thrive in-look for a bunch of hard hits on both sides. Lots of huge games up in Oakland this year!

Central City at St. Paul

Could not find two polar opposite philosophies with the ground and pound Eli Larson show against air Kale Jensen. Adams Central kept everything in front of them last week defending 68 passes. St. Paul won’t allow that many unless Larson is going up and down the field without resistance and this turns into a shootout. Since giving up 55 to Pierce on opening night, the Wildcat defense has only given up 38 points since. St. Paul goes to Adams Central next week.

Plattsmouth at Waverly

The 3^rd huge game in Class B this week should feature a lot of running and with both teams leaning on their ground game. For Plattsmouth, Christian Meneses will see the toughest defense he’s faced this year. Waverly’s defense appears real and they’re tough at home. They’ve gotten well against a couple of overmatched opponents the last two weeks and would go to 4-3 with another loss. Very intriguing game to see where the “next” group of teams behind the top established in B is at right now.

Central Valley at Fremont-Mills IA

Replacement game for CV matches them against Husker commit Seth Malcolm and FM who come in unbeaten and rated 5^th in Iowa Eight-Man. Appears that Fremont Mills has only played 2 games this year and has put up 74 and 50 points. Jackson McIntyre hasn’t needed to be used much this year but he will need to have his best game tonight. Ty Nekoliczak has 1013 yards of total offense. Trevor Cargill at 6’3 280 needs to move the Iowa guys off the ball up front.

Sutton at Ord

Another replacement game between C2 powers with Sutton making the 2 hour trek north to Valley County. Ord’s defense is frighteningly good. Sutton has only played one opponent with a record above .500 and that was the 13-12 loss to Wilber-Clatonia. Ord likewise has also only played one quality team-that a 28-14 win over Norfolk Catholic a month ago. Battle between two teams that were state runner-ups within the past two years and a real measuring stick for how the playoffs may pan out in C2.

Ralston at Omaha Skutt

Don't think Ralston will hang with Skutt but Rashad Madden has become must-watch every week and it's always fun to see if a team can slow him down. He and Sam Scott are two of the elite RBs in Class B and the state.