Week 9 Friday Night Lights football Heroes - Part 2 of 2

Posted Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at 12:14 AM

By Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

With playoffs beginning this week, we will cut back to two lists of Heroes. This series is always so gratifying to compile each week. Sometimes you go to bed at night wondering (hoping) that everyone that deserves mentioning has been uncovered. Each one takes an average of at least 4 hours to figure out, often times ending at 2 AM, but worth every minute.

I know any list compiled will never be complete because it is humanly impossible, for me anyway, to search until the ultimate "complete" list is online.

Sure is fun trying though.

*Joe Dolincheck-Bellevue West - Thunderbird quarterback directed the winning drive which began with 1:13 left in the Omaha Burke battle. Dolincheck also made certain the 6th lead change in the game was the last in the T-Bird's 45-41 heart pounding win over the Bulldogs.

The 6-1, 200 pound junior ended the game with 18 of 32 completed passes for 353 yards and a touchdown. The last drive was a thing of beauty for Michael Huffman and Bellevue West. The World-Herald's Nick Rubek had a great description of that final drive.

The possession started after a Burke 21 yard FG by who else, the great Cole Frahm.

Beginning at their own 20, Dolincheck popped a shovel pass to the state's best running back. Jaylin Bradley advance that 38 yards to the Burke 42 yard line.

Dolincheck then completed a couple of passes, rushed for 6 yards himself, then put the game in the hands of Jaylin Bradley.

With 22 seconds remaining and his team trailing, Michael Huffman called an inside zone play (trap) that was stuffed by the Burke defense. Without even calling a timeout, Huffman then called an outside zone left play with Bradley carrying and big Tyler Ciurej leading the way. BANG! Game over.

Joe Dolincheck has now completed 65% of his 167 passes for 1,807 yards, 17 TDs with only 4 INTS. Makes you wonder how potent this Thunderbird offense will be throughout the playoffs with Dolincheck's passing and Bradley's legs.

Bellevue West is on the deepest south end of the 16 team Class A bracket. The T-Birds are also on the brutal side of the bracket with Millard North, Millard West and Creighton Prep.

*Treyson Bigler, Reid Houchin-Lincoln Christian - This pair certainly made believers out of Southern last week in their 72-33 spanking of the Raiders. In fact, Bigler set TWO State records in the game. Houchin also set a state record as well by being on the receiving end of Bigler's passes.

Bigler completed 17 of 25 passes for a Class C-1 Single Game Passing Yards record 439 yards and C-1 State Record 7 touchdowns (passing)

Houchin had 9 receptions for a State Single Game Receiving Yards record of 249 big ones. That breaks a 17 year old record (210) set by Matt Herian of Pierce back in 1999.

Unfortunately the Crusaders did not make the playoffs, but Treyson Bigler ended his junior season by completing 123 of his 207 passing attempts (60%) for a sparkling 2,030 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Reid Houchin, Bigler's junior classmate ended up with 62 receptions, 944 yards and 7 TDs.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Brody Zabel-Norris - Mr. Zabel, if you would please, had 135 yards on 16 carries and scoring runs of 17 and 41 yards in the Titans huge 26-22 win over Beatrice.

Fullback Brody Zabel now joins is RB backfield mate Austin Schultz as a 1000 yard back.

Zabel, a thousand yard rusher a year ago, ended the regular season with 1,015 yards and will move forward to the Class B playoffs this coming Friday.

Norris will raise the curtain at Elkhorn Stadium in the gorgeous 4:30 sunlight to meet the Elkhorn Antlers. Both teams go in at 7-2.

*Dylan Kautz-Norfolk Catholic - Didn't get many carries in Catholic's 56-20 win over West Point-Beemer. Can't do it, man.

Dylan did run for 108 yards on only 6 touches, scoring on runs of 68 and 17 yards. That raises the sophomore's rushing total to 1,149 yards and sets up the best matchup of the opening round of the playoffs, regardless of class.

The Knights travel to David City to meet Aquinas in a game that features two of the most successful football programs in State football history, headed up by two future Hall of Fame coaches.

Coach Ron Mimick and his Aquinas Monarchs have made the playoffs 24 times, won 8 State Titles and grabbed 4 runner-up trophies.

Jeff Bellar's Norfolk Catholic Knights have qualified for the postseason 32 times, won 9 Championships and finished 2nd another 6 times.

These two gentlemen have 617 coaching wins between the two of them.

*Justin Peterson-Fairbury - 5-11, 175 pound senior booted a 27 yard field goal as time expired to give the Jeffs a 24-21 win over Milford-Dorchester. Peterson's foot guaranteed Fairbury a higher seed in the upcoming Class C-1 playoffs.

Well, of course there was more to it than that. The one and only Jacob Johnson rambled for 197 yards on 27 touches and scored a 7 yard TD run in the win. That gives Johnson 987 yards and a chance to nail down his 2nd thousand yard rushing season in the playoffs.

Yes, the Jeffs are seeded #10 in the C-1 playoffs and must hit the road to meet Boys Town at The Corral, but Fairbury hasn't been to the postseason since 2010, have only made it 5 times in history, and are still looking for their first playoff win.

Yeah, this crew is more than happy to play an extra game(s) no matter who the opponent may be.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert*** *2nd Time Around*

*AJ Jenkins - Wilcox-Hildreth - Good gravy, this sophomore runner had to get his 2nd straight 1000 yard season the hard way. In the Will-Hill's thrilling 32-26 win over Deshler, AJ toted the football a tiring 48 times for an incredible 407 yards and 3 touchdowns.

That raised his final season total to 1,359 yards and his 2 year rushing total to 2,656 yards and 36 TDs. And that has come in only 15 games. AJ Jenkins is a good football player, friends.

*Jaden Johnson-Columbus Lakeview - Quarterback rushed for 130 yards on 24 carries, scored on a 12 yard run, and threw for 80 yards in the Vikings playoff clinching 30-18 win over a tough Ord football squad.

The win elevates Kurt Frenzen's Lakeview men into the C-1 playoffs. The Vikings draw the No. 14 seed and will travel to O'Neill to meet the undefeated and #3 seeded O'Neill Eagles.

Nothing like all three Columbus schools in the Playoffs, right? Outstanding! I still love that town.

***2000 Yards Passing Alert***

*Carter Terry-GI Northwest - Despite losing 42-28 to York, the sophomore rifleman managed to throw for 350 yards (25 of 42) and 4 touchdowns. Terry's scoring passes ended up in the hands of Riley Schliep (19, 35 yards), Jayden Rodenbaugh (65 yards) and Brady Glause (20 yards).

Terry has unofficially thrown for 2,127 yards (53%) and 22 TDs. Carter's average pass completion is worth 22.8 yards a throw.

Northwest will be in those Class B playoffs and face a trip to McCook this Friday to meet the Bison. The #13 seeded, 5-4 Vikings have not played McCook this season.

*Coltin Rezabek-Wilber-Clatonia - 6-0, 155 pound sophomore did a little bit of everything in the Wolverines 56-0 thumping of Freeman. Rezabek scored on a 29 yard run, took a punt back for a 55 yard touchdown and had a Pick-6 from 35 yards out to complete his great evening.

Brice Broz also got in on the Pick-6 action with a 31 yarder and added a 45 yard scoring dash.

Wilber-Clatonia enters the C-2 playoff field as the #4 seed and will face a very potent #13 seeded Stanton ballclub that just knocked off powerful Battle Creek.

Nooobody came close to knocking off this Wilber-Clatonia football team in 2016 excepting Yutan, who ended up losing to the Wolverines 35-15 after leading early. Only three teams have even put points on the board against Wilber-Clatonia, who outscored opponents by a count of 434 to 53.

Holy defense, Batman.

*Gentry Anderson-Arapahoe - Sophomore QB ran wild in Arapahoe's 76-66 win over Eustis-Farnam. Anderson zipped for 263 yards on 28 carries and scored 5 touchdowns in the scoring fest.

Entering the Class D-2 playoffs, Gentry has compiled 1,509 rushing yards and 21 TDs. He has also passed for 732 yards and 16 touchdowns with only 2 INTS.

Arapahoe is seeded #6 in the West bracket and host #11 Ansley-Litchfield Thursday.

*Braeden Hartwig-Lincoln SW - The dude simply wouldn't quit in the Silverhawks 42-35 win over Lincoln Northstar. Hartwig willed his team into the playoffs with his 226 yards on 25 carries.

Lincoln Southwest (4-5) will draw No. 1 seeded Omaha North to begin the Class A playoffs. Bad deal? Not to this group, who has worked hard all season to get there.

The Silverhawks have not been in the postseason since 2012. Beats staying home.

*Quentin Moles-Bloomfield - 294 yards on 27 carries and 4 TDs in the 62-32 win over Stuart, lifted the junior RB's season rushing total to 1,966 yards. Bloomfield entertains tough Exeter-Milligan in the opening round of the D-1 playoffs Thursday and will feature a classic Running Back battle between Moles and Exeter-Milligan's Trevor Luzum.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert times Two***

*Cameron Downey and Keenan Stupka-Anselmo-Merna - Senior Keenan Stupka ran for 142 yards on only 9 carries, while junior Cameron Downey took rushing honors with his 161 yards on 15 touches in the Coyotes 62-32 win over Maxwell.

Stupka notches his second 1000 yard rushing season by ending up with 1,066 yards. Downey, who returns next season, closed 2016 with 1,017 yards.

It will seem strange not to see A-M in the playoffs after 16 straight seasons. Yep, the string began in the year 2000. Pretty incredible for a D-2 program, who by the way has produced more 1000 yard rushers than I can take time to count right now.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Matt Hoffman-Plainview - 5-8, 165 pound junior bolted for 164 yards and 5 TDs in Plainview's 50-44 win over playoff bound Hartington/Newcastle.

That puts Hoffman's season rushing count at 1,039 yards. Plainsview is not eligible of the playoffs this season.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert*** *2nd Time Around*

*Colby Ensz-Tri-County - His 294 yards on 26 carries in a 62-26 win over Diller-Odell, lifted him over the 1000 yard mark for the 2nd year in a row. Ensz scored 6 times in the romp and raised his season running count to 1,214 yards and his career rushing total to 3,951 yards and 51 TDs.

Last year's 1,829 yards came against 11-Man competition too. No. 7 seeded (East Bracket) Tri-County meets Hartington/Newcastle (#10) Thursday in the 1st Round of the D-1 playoffs. Kick-off is set for a sunny 2:30 PM. I'll be there.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Easton Clark-Hershey - 85 yards on 12 carries and 4 TDs lifted Easton over the 1000 yard rushing mark with 1,019 yards (15 TDs)

#8 seed Hershey hosts #9 seeded St. Paul in the C-2 playoffs which begin Friday. Pretty solid matchup here. Overtime?

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Jose Guzman-Centura - Fantastic QB bolted for 269 yards on 30 carries (3 TDs) in Centura's 65-0 over Twin River. Guzman now joins teammate/classmate Kaleb Johnson as a 1000 yard rusher.

Johnson finished the 2016 season with 1,106 yards, while the fleet Guzman ends with 1,104. Centura finished at 5-4 and enjoyed their first winning season in 13 years. High props to Head Coach Larry Baker, who absolutely loves the game of football and knows how to coach it.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Carson Walters-Lincoln East - 195 pound senior ran for 124 yards on 12 carries (2 TDs) in the Spartans 49-14 bashing of Bellevue East. That puts Walters at 1,043 yards for the season as East prepares to meet Lincoln SE in the opening round of the Class playoffs.

Southeast nipped the Spartans 17-14 at Seacrest back on September 9th.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Dylan Gentrup-Boone Central/Newman Grove - Junior dazzler punished GICC with 12-17 passing for 244 yards and 3 TDs, but his 112 rushing yards on 23 totes put him over the thousand yard rushing mark for the 2016 season.

Dylan finishes the year with 1,060 yards and was always outstanding no matter if Boone won or lost. Great player who will return in 2017.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert*** *2nd Time Around*

*Jerad Fedorchik-Bridgeport - Big, punishing back rushed for 153 yards on 16 carries and scored the lone touchdown for his team in a 47-7 loss to North Platte St. Pats.

Fedorchik finishes the year for 3-6 Bridgeport with 1,074 yards and 16 TDs. He ran for 1,114 big ones a year ago.