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Bison 'road graters' warm up for Waverly
McCOOK, Neb. — Power up the road graters and see why a “Mr. Incredible” Halloween costume could fit McCook’s entire offensive line again Friday night.
“They (the linemen) have gotten so much better as the season’s gone on,” coach Jeff Gross said following 571 total yards in the Bison’s 35-7 playoff-opening win over visiting Hastings. “Tonight was all about road grating and giving Cam (Berry) time to throw the big pass.”
Senior Hunter “Ham” Cunningham happily owns that superhero holiday outfit, though he was more interested in pancake blocks and enjoying half-pound cheeseburger baskets with his linemates.
“We fight to see who gets there first,” Cunningham and senior Zach Latimer proclaimed about the traditional post-game Bison feed at Fuller’s Restaurant.
“We really enjoy pancake-blocking the defensive tackles,” they also agreed. “We don’t keep count (for the season). We just want to keep getting better every game.”
Mission accomplished as McCook (9-1 record) delivered its first game all season with more than 200 yards passing (204) and far more than 200 rushing (367).
The Bison were admittedly still “a little tired” following their long trip to Scottsbluff one week earlier and tough battle with those 10-0 Bearcats.
“We had a little bit of a hangover,” Gross said. “We were fresh, but you’re never 100 percent after a trip to the Panhandle like that.”
Yet no Bison looked tired when senior Paxton Terry ripped past defenders and dashed better than 60 yards on Friday’s first offensive series.
Moments later, quarterback Cam Berry was rolling right to throw the first of his three touchdown passes.
Senior DJ Gross took that throw into the end zone, classmate Trae Koetter started a five-for-five PAT kicking night and McCook was on its way to play No. 5 Waverly in this week’s Class B quarterfinals.
Hastings (4-6 final record) found more big-play success than the first meeting with McCook two months ago (41-0 Bison win).
Yet the Tigers didn’t score a point until just more than four minutes remained and most Bison starters on that Weiland Field sideline.
“We played a real good football game,” coach Gross confirmed. “Yeah, we got our eyes in the backfield and gave up a couple of big plays. But they (Hastings) didn’t score.”
Junior Joel Carter ended one Tiger threat by making a third-down tackle for loss.
Senior Morgan Fawver later through to block a Hastings field-goal try.
Fawver also went flying (in photo above) for one memorable diving pass catch that covered better than 40 yards.
“I actually didn’t see that one. I got hit,” Berry said. “We have receivers who go get it (the ball) so it makes me confident about making the throws.”
Berry later unleashed a perfect 44-yard scoring strike to Fawver, who split through two final Tiger defenders for McCook’s third TD.
Not too many moments earlier, Berry turned on both speed and some “wiggle” to run 55 yards into six-point pigskin paradise.
Overall, Berry covered 88 yards on only six carries Friday night. He joined Terry in averaging better than 15 yards a rush attempt (16 for 241).
Terry’s next blast past blocks went 19 yards to another touchdown.
The Bison took a commanding 28-0 lead into McCook High’s dance team halftime show.
“That’s the best thing, to see Paxton go by and keep running,” Mr. Incredibles Cunningham and Latimer agreed.
Have either actually gotten to play Terry or Berry’s carry-the-ball role?
“I did once...in MFL (McCook Football League),” Ham Cunningham said. “Not very far.”
Seniors Colin Giron, Nick Baker and junior center Drew Daum are the other Incredibles completing McCook’s offensive line.
The Bison ‘D’ line continued halting Hastings drives even though Giron often drew two or even three Tiger blockers.
McCook added one more second-half score on strong blocking and Berry’s run-pass skills.
Just one play after a rare Tiger sack, Berry stepped up to find DJ Gross wide-open in front of McCook’s sideline.
Gross took that pass 31s to make the Bison season-long pass totals:
14 touchdowns-ZERO interceptions!
“I just try to make the smart decisions,” Berry said. “And when I’m having a bad game, just keep working at it.”
The Bison know beating Waverly (8-2) again will be a lot of work field this week.
Those Vikings eliminated Lexington, 56-0, in another first-round playoff game Friday night. They’ll bring two 1,100-yard rushers to Weiland Field in Kaleb Canoyer and Rhett Jordon.
Kickoff has been set for 6 p.m.