The Nebraska High School All-State Football Project - Saluting 1977

As previously mentioned, the NSAA decided to increase the playoff qualifiers from four teams, used the previous two seasons, to eight in 1977, and I think it worked out well.

Once again, I’m going to indicate my 1000 yard rushers, whether it be an all-state selection or honorable mention.

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1977

The third state football play-offs were held in November, 1977. Quarterfinal games were played November 1, semi-finals November 5, and finals November 11. The play-offs were conducted in six classes. Six district winners were determined in each of the six classes A, B, C-1, C-2, D-11, and D-8. The two remaining teams with the best point average also qualified in each class.

Class A: 32 largest schools

Class B: Next 64 largest schools

Class C-1: Next 64 largest schools

Class C-2: Next 64 largest schools

Class D-11: The remainder of the schools playing 11-man football – 50

Class D-8: All Class D Schools playing 8-man football – 89

Total Attendance: 73,241

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1977 Football Playoff Results

*Class A* (at UNO’s Al Caniglia Field) (Att: 6,800)

Quarterfinals:

(7-1) Lincoln Southeast 15-14 Omaha Westside (7-2)

(7-2) Lincoln Northeast 41-0 Grand Island (7-2)

(8-1) Papillion 18-12 Fremont (6-3)

(8-1) Creighton Prep 32-0 Ralston (7-2)

Semifinals:

(8-1) Lincoln Southeast 21-6 Lincoln Northeast (8-2)

(7-2) Creighton Prep 35-14 Papillion (9-1)

Final: (at UNO’s Al Caniglia Field) (Att: 6,800)

(9-1) Lincoln Southeast 23-6 Creighton Prep (8-2)

Champion: Lincoln Southeast (10-1), Head Coach-Frank Solich

***Lincoln Southeast followed up last year’s 20-10 Class A title victory over Creighton Prep with an even more impressive 23-6 win over the Junior Jays in the ‘77 championship game. Indianola, Iowa transfer Vernon Fisher led the Knights of Frank Solich by doing a little of everything in the Southeast win.

The Knights cashed in on two Creighton Prep punting errors, plus Fisher’s “Renaissance Man” type performance for the win. The senior Fisher rushed for 34 yards, threw for 39 more, punted 7 times for a 38 yard average and pirated a couple of Tim O’Brien passes in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

One of quarterback Vernon Fisher’s aerials went for a 16 yard score to John Morrow, who had caught only 3 passes all season before the sneaky TD reception.

*Class B*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Schuyler 21-18 Blair (6-1-2)

(9-0) Pierce 33-14 McCook (8-1)

(9-0) Hastings Adams Central 29-15 Chadron (8-0)

(7-2) Minden 28-0 Arlington (9-0)

Semifinals:

(10-0) Pierce 51-15 Schuyler (10-0)

(8-2) Minden 31-6 Hastings Adams Central (10-0)

Final: (at Minden)

(9-2) Minden 16-15 Pierce (11-0)

Champion: Minden (10-2), Head Coach- Jim Nolan

***The Whippets overcame regular season setbacks to Southwest Conference foes Broken Bow (0-23) and Holdrege (20-21) to earn themselves a Class B State Championship. Led by hard running Kris Van Norman, Minden put the clamps on Pierce’s 1,500 yard rusher Kevin Bretschneider, and rode Van Norman’s 141 yard rushing performance to post the 21-7 upset over previously the previously undefeated Bluejays.

Whippet quarterback Brad Extrom set the tone with a shocking 66 yard scoring dash on Minden’s second play from scrimmage. Pierce squared the game at 7 apiece in the second stanza, but Minden immediately answered on their next drive with Extrom’s second touchdown of the game, a one yard plunge.

Pierce was without a doubt, was decidedly hampered by the loss of Kevin Bretschneider, who departed with 2:57 left in the first quarter. The junior star had already rushed for 43 yards before suffering a leg injury that knocked him out for the remainder of the contest.

*Class C1*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Centennial 23-20 Battle Creek (6-2-1)

(8-1) Wahoo Neumann 40-14 Bayard (9-0)

(9-0) Gibbon 25-14 Elkhorn Mt. Michael (9-0)

(8-1) Tekamah-Herman 10-0 Hebron (9-0)

Semifinals:

(9-1) Wahoo Neumann 18-6 Centennial (10-0)

(10-0) Gibbon 14-13 Tekamah-Herman (9-1)

Final: (at Boys Town)

(10-1) Wahoo Neumann 29-0 Gibbon (11-0)

Champion: Wahoo Neumann (11-1), Head Coach - Bob Brandt

***A slippery, snow covered Boys Town football field seemed to make Wahoo Neumann feel right at home after playing seven regular season games in the mud and slop. The Cavaliers, who to this day, are not known for their size, averaged only 166 pounds per player in 1977 but made up for their lack of size with heart and great football skills. Neumann scored on their first possession and never looked back, as senior Mike Carroll ran for 119 yards for the game, including a 33 yard scoring jaunt.

Carroll also intercepted a Jeff Nickel pass, setting up another Cavalier touchdown. The small but stingy Bishop Neumann defense limited Gibbon’s rushing game to just 69 yards and pressured Buffalo All-State QB Nickel into a dismal 6 of 20 passing night with only 65 yards to show and three interceptions.

*Class C2*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Nebraska City Lourdes 27-0 Orchard (7-1-1)

(8-1) Republican Valley 32-13 Humphrey St. Francis (8-1)

(8-1) Grant 30-7 Henderson (7-2)

(8-0) Ansley 50-14 Hemingford (8-1)

Semifinals:

(9-1) Republican Valley 25-24 Nebraska City Lourdes (10-0)

(9-0) Ansley 44-13 Grant (9-1)

Final: (at McCook )

(10-0) Ansley 28-6 Republican Valley (10-1)

Champion: Ansley (11-0-), Head Coach - Dan Moore

***It was all Ansley and the Rohde brothers, as the Spartans completely dominated Republican Valley 28-6 in the C-2 championship game. Shane Rohde scored two touchdowns, one of which was a 62 yard gallop on the first play of the game. He added 13 yard TD later in the quarter, while brother Phil caught a 40 yard scoring pass to stake Ansley to a 20-0 first quarter lead.

So brutal was the Ansley defense, that Republican Valley, a pass first team, only managed 50 yards through the air and was held to a minus 11 yards rushing and two total first downs for the entire contest.

*Class D-11*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Nelson 34-2 Axtell (8-1)

(8-1) Coleridge 21-14 Cedar Bluffs (8-1)

(9-0) Bancroft 21-7 Greeley (8-0)

(9-0) St. Edward 41-20 Medicine Valley (6-2-1)

Semifinals:

(9-1) Coleridge 20-13 Nelson (10-0)

(10-0) Bancroft 30-13 St. Edward (10-0)

Final: (at Bancroft)

(10-1) Coleridge 6-0 Bancroft (11-0)

Champion: Coleridge (11-1), Head Coach - Marvin Cherry

***Coleridge and Bancroft, winners of the two Lewis and Clark Conference divisions, met for the all the marbles in the Class D 11-Man championship game in Bancroft. Coleridge All-State running back Dave Felber’s 9 yard run in the 3rd quarter proved to be the difference, as the visiting Bulldogs captured the Class D title by scoring only once.

Felber, the Bulldog’s go-to-guy all season long, racked up 64 yards on that 80 yard scoring drive. Bancroft failed to capitalize on two Coleridge first half fumbles and had it’s best chance to score after Jeff Larson pounced on a Coleridge fumble at the ‘Dogs 21 yard line. An ensuing Bancroft 32 yard field goal sailed wide with 6:30 left in the half.

*Eight-Man*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Wheatland 30-24 Elgin (6-2)

(9-0) Hampton 22-16 Trumbull (9-0)

(9-0) Adams 30-6 Eustis (8-0)

(8-0) Beemer 28-24 Potter (8-0)

Semifinals:

(10-0) Hampton 30-14 Wheatland (10-0)

(10-0) Adams 40-20 Beemer (9-0)

Final: (at Hampton)

(11-0) Adams 22-0 Hampton (11-0)

Champion: Adams (12-0), Head Coach- Ken Cook

***The legendary Ken Cook and his Adams Hornets stretched their win streak to an incredible 43 games with their 22-0 win over Hampton in the 8-Man championship game. One year after a Cookie’s unbeaten Adams team was jilted from advancing to the playoffs by the wild card point system, the Hornets came prepared to meet Hampton and the Hahn boys head on.

Adams defensive end Dan Buss looked like an All-American that afternoon, helping his forces in limiting Hampton to a paltry four first downs the entire game. On offense, Adams 5-10, 160 pound QB Dan Harms scored all three Hornet touchdowns and threw for both two point conversions.

Buss and his defensive partners in crime, Eugene Busboom, Larry Hibbert, Jerry Holdsworth, Gary Adams and Kevin Parde, made life miserable for Hampton QB Mark Klute, causing the Hawks star to throw three interceptions in the opening stanza. All in all, Adams came up with 4 interceptions and 4 recovered fumbles on the wet, muddy, sand-filled Hampton football surface that afternoon.

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*1977 Super-State Offense*

End-----Bob Lackovic-Omaha Ryan, 5-8, 160, Senior

End-----Rusty Poppe-Hastings*, 6-0, 175, Senior

Tackle--Dave Mayhan-Omaha Gross, 6-3, 224, Senior

Tackle--Kurt Glathar-Lincoln High, 6-2, 215, Senior

Guard--Mike Mandelko-Lexington, 5-11, 188, Senior

Guard--Mike Bergholz-Grand Island, 6-1, 215, Senior

Center-Dave Remington-Omaha South, 6-3, 220, Senior

QB------Randee Johnson-Lincoln Northeast, 6-2, 180, Junior

Back----Duke Vair-Papillion, 6-2, 202, Senior…..(1,327 yards)

Back----Kris Van Norman-Minden, 6-2, 190, Senior…..(1,207 yards)

Back----Tim Rogers-Creighton Prep, 5-11, 172, Senior…..(1,245)

Kicker---Joe Goedert-Hastings St. Cecilia, 6-2, 190, Senior

*1977 Super-State Defense*

End-----Jim Waterbury-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 190, Senior

End-----Bret Baxter-Grand Island, 6-2, 185, Senior

Tackle--Tom Gdowski-Fullerton, 6-4, 215, Senior

Tackle--Robin Derr-Lincoln Southeast, 6-1, 210, Senior

NG------Felix White-Lincoln Northeast, 6-3, 220, Senior

LB-------Steve Damkroger*-Lincoln Northeast, 6-2, 205, Senior

LB-------Tata Machado-Creighton Prep, 5-11, 191, Senior

LB-------Vernon Fisher-Lincoln Southeast, 6-3, 175, Senior

LB-------Scott Poppe-Hebron, 6-2, 210, Senior

DB------Doug Spellman-Creighton Prep, 5-11, 179, Senior

DB------Todd Brown-Holdrege, 6-0, 155, Senior

*1977 Class A Offense:*

End-----Rusty Poppe*-Hastings, 6-0, 175, Senior

End-----Dana Childs-Lincoln East, 6-3, 180, Senior

Tackle--Mitch Mullins-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 200, Senior

Tackle--Bob O’Rourke-North Platte, 6-5, 220, Senior

Guard--Jeff Desmond-Lincoln East, 6-3, 215, Senior

Guard--Mike Bergholz-Grand Island, 6-1, 215, Senior

Center-Dave Remington-Omaha South, 6-3, 220, Senior

QB------Randee Johnson-Lincoln Northeast, 6-2, 180, Junior

Back----Duke Vair-Papillion, 6-2, 202, Senior (1,362 yards)

Back----Steve Friedman-Omaha Westside, 5-10, 170, Senior (1,142 yards)

Back----Tim Rogers-Creighton Prep, 5-11, 172, Senior

Kicker---Sung Kim-Papillion, 6-3, 220, Senior

*1977 Class A Defense:*

End-----Jim Waterbury-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 190, Senior

End-----Bret Baxter-Grand Island, 6-2, 185, Senior

Tackle--Steve Vaughan-Omaha Tech, 6-5, 265, Senior

Tackle--Robin Derr-Lincoln Southeast, 6-1, 210, Senior

NG------Felix White-Lincoln Northeast, 6-3, 220, Senior

LB-------Steve Damkroger*-Lincoln Northeast, 6-2, 205, Senior

LB-------Tata Machado-Creighton Prep, 5-11, 191, Senior

LB-------Vernon Fisher-Lincoln Southeast, 6-3, 175, Senior

LB-------Jeff Geier-Lincoln East, 5-11, 185, Senior

DB------Doug Spellman-Creighton Prep, 5-11, 179, Senior

DB------Jeff Stallworth-Omaha Northwest, 5-11, 165, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Greg Perry, Layne Nelson, Dave Frankforter-Lincoln SE; Wade Colvin, Greg Willett, Tad Burch-Papillion; Dan Goodwin-Omaha Central; Dan Sweetwood, Larry Roark-Omaha Westside; Gene Coulter, Scott Berg-Fremont; Dan Reiners-Kearney; Mike Meier, Deacon Nauslar-Creighton Prep; Rick Chandler, Randy Jostes, Ed Storm (1,162)-Ralston; Paul Wild-Omaha Bryan; Lonnie Westling, Larry Clark, Jim Slosson-Lincoln NE; Pat Sweeney, Tom Miller, Dennis Wees-Omaha South; Scott Holtmeyer-Bellevue East; Al Otten-Bellevue West; Rhett Stephenson-Lincoln East; Greg Wilcox-Omaha Tech; Jim Jeffries-Grand Island and Steve Carlson-Beatrice.

*1977 Class B Offense*

End-----Greg Furrow-Hastings Adams Central, 6-4, 190, Senior

End-----Bob Lackovic-Omaha Ryan, 5-8, 160, Senior

Tackle-Jay Fink-Pierce, 6-0, 2000, Senior

Tackle-Steve Schmid-Schuyler-, 6-3, 222, Senior

Guard--Mike Mandelko-Lexington, 5-11, 188, Senior

Guard--Kirk Sholes-O’Neill, 6-0, 205, Senior

Center-Tim Cook-Hastings Adams Central, 6-3, 210, Senior

QB------Brad Extrom-Minden, 6-1, 178, Senior

Back----Kevin Bretschneider-Pierce, 5-9, 160, Junior…..(1.543 yards)

Back----Kris Van Norman-Minden, 6-2, 190, Senior…..(1,207 yards)

Back----Dean Zoerb-Broken Bow, 5-1, 185, Senior…..(1,696 yards)

Kicker---Roe Martin-Fairbury, 6-5, 240, Senior

*1977 Class B Defense*

End----Mike Falloon-Fairbury, 6-6, 205, Senior

End----Tom Shanahan-Ogallala, 6-0, 185, Senior

Tackle-Dan Hansen-Broken Bow, 6-1, 233, Senior

Tackle-Phil Haberman-Imperial, 6-0, 195, Senior

NG-----Rocky Nelson-Arlington, 5-9, 20, Senior

LB------Dennis Dolliver-Schuyler, 6-1, 205, Senior

LB------Randy Mason-McCook, 5-10, 170, Senior

LB------Dave Soto-Kimball, 5-9, 185, Senior

DB------Todd Brown-Holdrege, 6-0, 155, Senior

DB------Dennis Walker-Alliance, 6-0, 160, Senior

DB------Wade Heyer-Pierce, 5-10, 160, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Randy Bienhoff-Minden; Craig Wehrle-Madison; Mitch Krenk, Scott Porter-Nebraska City; Mike Morin (1,041), Jon Ruby-Lincoln Pius X; Tim Cech-Schuyler; Pat Novicki, Tim Hroza (1,335); Jim Richard-Waverly; Mike Rogers,Paul Knight-Ogallala (1,079); Dwayne Marvin, Steve Lytle (1,029)-McCook; Gary Schleppenbach, Rick Warneke, Doug Vyhlidal-Pierce; Rex Meier, Bill Wehler-Arlington; Ken Colwell-Alliance; Mike Wyskowski-Omaha Ryan; Tim Holbrook-Lexington; Dave Berreckman-Cozad; Gregg Davidson-Crete; Jeff Shea-Broken Bow; Jeff Sheppard-York; Steve Ayres-Superior; Terry Holz-O’Neill; Les Post-Syracuse; Tim Hansen-GICC; Mike Matthews-St. Paul: L.J. Komenda-Raymond Central; Mike Felix-Seward; Bart Voycheske-Chadron; Jim Schuller-Central City; Steve Willis-Aurora; Dave Mroczek-Loup City; Benny Rogers (1,080)-Fairbury and Jeff Beckman-Wisner-Pilger.

*1977 Class C-1 Offense*

End----Mark Svoboda-Fremont Bergan, 5-11, 175, Senior

End----John Anderson-Plainview, 5-11, 170, Senior

Tackle--John Anderson-Osceola, 5-11, 170, Senior

Tackle--Kyle Hemmerling-Gibbon, 5-9, 185, Senior

Guard--Ken Palmer-Battle Creek, 5-8, 215, Senior

Guard--Scott Lindstrom*-Oakland-Craig, 5-11, 205, Senior

Center-Ken Santin-Fullerton, 6-0, 200, Senior

QB------Jerry Nickel-Gibbon, 5-11, 170, Senior

Back----Mitch Gerdes-Hebron, -5-11, 180, Junior…..(1,269 yards)

Back----Barry Lief-Centennial, 6-3, 205, Senior…...(1,113 yards)

Back----Rich Fox-Bennington, 6-0, 175, Senior…….(1,093 yards)

Kicker---Joe Goedert-Hastings St. Cecilia, 6-2, 190, Senior

*1977 Class C-1 Defense*

End----Randy Saxton-Tekamah-Herman, 6-2, 195, Senior

End----Ron Hergott-Hebron, 6-0, 175, Senior

Tackle--Tom Gdowski*-Fullerton, 6-4, 215, Senior

Tackle-Van Wurst-Milford, 6-0, 210, Senior

NG-----Tim Maly-Wahoo Neumann, 5-10, 140, Senior

LB------Scott Poppe-Hebron, 6-2, 210, Senior

LB------Pat Maxwell-Tekamah-Herman, 5-11, 190, Senior

LB------Al Meduna-Wahoo Neumann, 6-2, 190, Senior

DB------Mike Mejstrik-Norfolk Catholic, 5-10, 155, Senior

DB------Kevin Sullivan-Centennial, 6-2, 180, Senior

DB------Mike Carroll-Wahoo Neumann, 5-10, 155, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Brad Schwab-Bayard; Floyd Stinson-Tecumseh; Dave Ridder-West Point CC; Jim Ashburn-Hastings St. Cecilia; Jay Grancer, Mark Lydick, Phil Tobin-Tekamah-Herman; Kelly Kinion-Milford; Kevin Yoachim-Hebron; Kurt Pearson, Dan Enstrom-Oakland-Craig; Bruce Meister, Jim Blowers-Fremont Bergan; Dave Wetovick-Fullerton (1,307); Pat Martin, Rick Ahrens-Wahoo Neumann; Luke Van Metre-Gibbon (1,056); Dan Gaunt-Battle Creek; Russ Fushser-Emerson-Hubbard (1,168); Dan Bazada-Howells; Allan Hollman-Pender; Roger Eggerling-Creighton; Terry Boshart-Wood River; Steve Schindler-Neligh; Jeff Poland-Pawnee City; Jim Baumann-Sutton; Kim Grubaugh-David City; Gale Hamilton-Plainview; Everett Schneider-Bridgeport (1,240); Mark Schellen-Waterloo (1,018) and Jim DeLong-Elkhorn Mt. Michael.

*1977 Class C-2 Offense*

End------Jim Jackman-Grant, 6-6, 193, Senior

End------Dennis Liess*-Republican Valley, 6-3, 205, Senior

Tackle--Jerry Scott*-Ansley, 6-2, 215, Senior

Tackle--Paul Vinzant-Bertrand, 6-2, 210, Senior

Guard---Brian Wacker-Hemingford, 6-0, 200, Senior

Guard---Earl Dahlkoetter-Grant, 5-11, 177, Senior

Center--Ron Kahl-Dorchester, 5-7, 145, Senior

QB-------Tyke Arnold-Anselmo-Merna, 6-1, 185, Senior

Back-----Jeff Pribnow-Scribner, 6-1, 180, Senior…..(1,361 yards)

Back-----Joe Derr-Nebraska City Lourdes, 6-1, 200, Senior…..(1,391 yards)

Back-----Shane Rohde-Ansley, 6-1, 175, Senior…..(1,364 yards)

Kicker---Ron Johnson-Red Cloud, 5-10, 170, Senior

*1977 Class C-2 Defense*

End----Chester Taylor-Weeping Water, 6-0, 200, Senior

End----Dennis Hengen-Hershey, 6-2, 185, Junior

Tackle-Jerry Catlett-Ansley, 5-10, 285, Senior

Tackle-Steve Bryant-Republican Valley, 6-3, 190, Senior

MG-----Mike Tranmer-Lyons, 6-2, 180, Junior

LB------Mark Riege*-Nebraska City Lourdes, 6-3, 200, Senior

LB------Kevin Williamson-Orchard, 6-2, 183, Senior

LB------John Jacobson-Orchard, 5-10, 190, Senior

DB------Jim Blaha-Kearney Catholic, 5-10, 163, Senior….(1,263 yards)

DB------Dave McCue*-Alma, 5-11, 170, Senior

DB------Randy Heesacker-Humphrey St. Francis, 5-10, 170, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Chris Hergert-Hartington; Steve Mason-Weeping Water; Craig Nelson-Wakefield; Mark Sunderman-Lyons; Bob Cady-Benkelman; Randy Huebert-Henderson; Morgan Meier-Elm Creek; Phil Rohde-Ansley; Steve Loeffler-Grant; Karl Feeken, Randy Slepicka-Dorchester; Dean Liess-Republican Valley; Joe Leick-Humphrey St. Francis; Ken Dubas-Genoa; Kris Kreifels, Dave Schreiter-Nebraska City Lourdes (1,211); Keith McKim-Humboldt; Terry Sullivan-Palmer; Bill Thomas-Winside; Lyman Hamm-Meridian; Sheldon Koeppe-Ponca; Meril Fredrich-Wausa; Craig Bollwitt-Ewing; Brad Johnson-Harvard; Pat Hoffman-Osmond (1,041); Aaron Koch-Wynot; Mike Kelly-Scribner and Jim Swerczek-Cedar Rapids.

*1977 Class D Offense (11-Man)*

End----Brad Williams-St. Edward, 6-3, 175, Senior

End----Tim Wegner-Bancroft, 5-8, 155, Senior

Tackle-Pat Messersmith-Medicine Valley, 6-2, 175, Senior

Tackle-Joe Carman-Pleasanton, 6-2, 206, Senior

Guard--Mike Furman-Clay Center, 6-0, 180, Senior

Guard--Mark Schnitker-Nelson, 5-11, 190, Senior

Center--John Tietz-Bancroft, 6-1, 195, Senior

QB------Terry Bagmann-Bancroft, 6-0, 175, Senior

Back----Dave Felber-Coleridge, 5-11, 152, Senior…..(1,459 yards)

Back----Tom Manning*-Alliance St. Agnes, 6-2, 190, Senior…..(1,347 yards)

Back----Dennis Holsteen-Nelson, 6-0, 180, Senior….(1,415 yards)

Kicker--Dirk Hansen-Medicine Valley, 6-0, 170, Senior

*1977 Class D Defense (11-Man)*

End----Tom Swedburg-Axtell, 6-0, 170, Senior

End----Brian Smith-Coleridge, 5-11, 175, Senior

Tackle-Dan Hill-Falls City Sacred Heart*, 6-4, 215, Senior

Tackle-Roger Brockevelt-Polk, 6-3, 240, Senior

MG-----Dave Kalin-Coleridge, 5-8, 160, Senior

LB------John Kmiecik-St. Edward, 5-10, 175, Senior…..(1,114 yards)

LB------Steve Plambeck-Bancroft, 5-10, 165, Senior

LB------Greg Stevens-St. Edward, 6-1, 175, Senior

DB------Gerald Foltz-Greeley, 6-0, 174, Senior…..(1,337 yards)

DB------Ron Valasek-Silver Creek, 6-0, 150, Senior

DB------Hank Schollmeyer*-Cedar Bluffs, 5-11, 170, Senior…..()

*Honorable Mention:

Don Willnerd, Maury Costello-Wolbach; Russ Rimovsky, Ted Jensen-St. Edward; Jim Russman-Bancroft; Ray Hoffman-Stuart; Kevin Kopecky-Spencer; Dale Blank-Wilcox; Denny Carraher-Spalding Academy: Jerry Donovan-Greeley; Alan McClure-Nelson; Scott Brewster-Butte; Dean Steinkuhler-Sterling; Kym Rush-Axtell, Mike Thorell, Dan Nelson, Alan Quinn-Loomis: Kip Greenstreet (1,099)-Clay Center; Dave Covey-Medicine Valley; Ken Rieken-Clarks; Jerry Harms-Minatare; Mike Smith-Fairmont; Bill Lund-Newcastle; Greg Siegel-Litchfield; Paul Kenny-Amherst (1,018); Randy Branting-Polk; Jim Cyza-Alliance St. Agnes; Kirk Rowland-Overton and Perry Larson-Verdigre.

*1977 Eight Man Offense*

End----Eugene Busboom-Adams, 6-3, 170, Senior

End----John Riese-Bladen, 5-8, 146, Senior

Guard-Larry Hibbert-Adams, 6-2, 200, Senior

Guard-Greg Clancy-Dawson-Verdon, 6-3, 195, Senior

Center-Randy Sabata-Hampton, 6-2, 195, Senior -

QB------Bryan McCormick-Wheatland, 6-5,200, Senior

Back----Craig Hass-Beemer, 5-8, 160, Sophomore…..(1,569 yards)

Back----Larry Wieser-Potter, 5-11,165, Junior…..(1,178 yards)

Kicker---Robin Meter-Melbeta, 6-1,210, Senior

*1977 Eight Man Defense*

End----Mike Hahn-Hampton, 5-11, 170, Senior

End----Lane Walker-Eustis, 6-1, 190, Junior

Guard-Larry Adams-Adams, 5-10, 200, Senior

Guard-Howard Dondlinger-Shickley, 6-2, 200, Senior

LB-----Rod Smallfoot-Farnum, 5-11, 185, Senior

LB-----Dennis Peters-Dalton, 6-2, 185, Senior

DB-----Sterling Walker-Decatur, 6-2, 160, Senior

DB-----Brian Van Diest-Sandhills, 6-2, 185, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Al Grossnicklaus-Shelby; John Alves, Mark Fry-Potter; Brian Hahn-Hampton (1,269); Jerald Buss, Dan Harms, Kevin Parde-Adams; David Burton-Bartley; Bill Erb-Shickley; Barry Perlinger, Doug Babbitt-Paxton; Tom Perlinger, Doug Glunz-Wheatland; Mark Zogg-Eustis; Mark Johnson-Decatur; Mic Coffman-Sandhills (1,004); Randy Kaufman-Bladen; Bill Anderson-Hordville (1,035); Brad Burke, Tim Callahan-Brady; Matt Gaunt-Trenton; Kirk Wilson-Maywood (1,276); Jeff TePoel-Prague; Jeff Ross, Kent Schlager -Culbertson; Randy Rabstejnek-Table Rock; Jeff Rouse-Nebraska Christian; Mike Danhauer-Marquette; Jim Swett, Doug Nichols (1,004)-Wheeler Central; Jeff Liberty-Dawson-Verdon; Rick McDowell, Dan Ott-Trumbull (1,119); Dave Seybold-Wilsonville; Doug Schenk-Mullen; Ken Shaw-Bradshaw; Mark Phillips-Arthur; Mark Fletcher-Maxwell; Perry Phelan-Big Springs; Mark Schoenholz-Bruning and Gary Novak-Rising City.

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Top 10 Rushers in 1977

Lee Novak-Rosalie...…………………..1,668 Sr.

Craig Hass-Beemer…………….……...1,569 Soph.

Kevin Bretschneider-Pierce……….…..1,543 Jr.

Dave Felber-Coleridge……..……….....1,459 Sr.

Dennis Holsteen-Nelson……..………..1,415 Sr

Joe Durr-Nebraska City Lourdes……..1,391 Sr.

Shane Rohde-Ansley…………………..1,364 Sr.

Jeff Pribnow-Scribner…………………..1,361 Sr.

Gerald Foltz-Greeley…………………...1,337 Jr.

Tim Hroza-Columbus Scotus………….1,335 Sr.