2024 NEMFCA 8-Man Hall of Fame Inductee Salutes - Travis Mlady, Bloomfield High School

TRAVIS MLADY – BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

(Here is our 11th of twelve 2024 NEMFCA Hall of Fame inductees. Today we feature Travis Mlady, one of the finest running backs ever in 8-Man football, despite playing that style the game just one season)

From 1998 to 2001, Travis starred as a “lightning-in-a-bottle” running back for legendary Coach Gary Walling. In his electrifying senior campaign, he led the Bees to 12 straight victories and a Class D-1 State Runner-Up finish. While averaging almost 11 yards per carry,

Travis raced for 2,353 yards and 52 touchdowns during that campaign. His efforts were recognized and honored by multiple media outlets including: 1st Team All-Conference and All-District, 1st Team All-State, Class D-1 Offensive Player of the Year, and he was selected to the All-Class/All-Nebraska Football Team.

In the summer of 2002, Travis was chosen to play in the 8-Man All Star Game, where he was honored as that game’s Most Valuable Offensive Player (scoring 3 touchdowns in the game- a record at the time).

He later continued his career at The University of South Dakota where he played a major role for the Coyotes 2005 NCC Conference Championship team. Travis finished his prolific college career with 1,765 yards, 29 touchdowns, and averaged over 6 yards per carry.

He is most proud of the part he played in the Bloomfield Football tradition and working alongside outstanding teammates and coaches.

The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

1000 Yard Guy observations…..I only saw Travis Mlady play football twice. The first time was in Bloomfield’s 34-20 loss to a powerful Howells team in the 2001 D-1 Championship.

The first time Mlady touched the pigskin he took it to the house on a sparkling 49 yard touchdown run.

The second time was in the Sertoma 8-Man All-Star Game in 2002 when he scored THREE touchdowns which is extremely difficult to do in an All-Star football game when the defense has a tremendous advantage.

AND, here is the Hall of Fame clincher in my mind since I’m a voting member of this HOF nominating committee.

Travis Mlady played 8-Man football for ONE year and turned so many heads, he was an easy choice for this elite honor with his 2,352 yards rushing.

Also remember, he handled the 11-Man version of the game rather well too, running for 1,472 yards his junior season.

Simply put, Travis Mlady was a one heck of a football talent (3rd most rushing yards in school history) for a Bloomfield team that has produced more thousand yard rushers than any high school in Nebraska (40).