Week 10 Friday Night Lights High School Football Heroes

The Norris Offensive Line, pictured in the top row, was as efficient as it gets, opening gaps for 1000 yard ruher Blake Macklin (#20, front row). The Titans defeated GI Northwest 50-14.

*11-Man Section*

*Blake Macklin, Eli Holt, Austen Holt, Titan O-Line-Norris - The Houdini-like Blake Macklin zigged and zagged his way to 234 yards and 4 TDs on 17 touches in the Titans huge 50-14 victory over GI Northwest in the Class B playoffs last Friday. Macklin, who is faster than a sneeze through a screen door, had scoring jaunts of 35, 2, 8 and 36 yards PLUS a 40 yard Pick 6. Macklin’s O-Line of #56 Jack Reifert (195, Sr), #57 Thomas Hansmeyer (220, Jr), Garret Dorn (190, Sr), Manuel Garduno-Mendez (260, Sr) and Braeden Smoyer (230, Sr) pulled off the greatest blocking performances I have witnessed this season, opening gaping holes big enough for even Mitch Holt to run for a hundred yards. Speaking of Holts, Norris FB/LB Eli Holt added two scores on runs of 1 and 9 yards out and was remarkable on defense, making 8 tackles and harassing Viking QB Camden Jensen all night. Eli is the REAL DEAL.

Junior Austen Holt was also a big standout on defense, recording 12 tackles.

*Santi Castillo, Dez Smith, Cael Peters-Mitchell - Sensational ball-toting trio blew the roof off the Mitchell stat sheet in the Tigers smashing 58-20 victory over Wahoo Neumann. The three Mitchell backs combined for an unimaginable 511 yards on the ground and six touchdowns in the rout. Castillo, also considered the hardest hitting Tigers defensive player, exploded for 225 yards on just 9 carries, paralyzing the Neumann defense with scoring runs of 85 and 70 yards to begin the 2nd half.

Castillo also made 11 stops on defense, had two interceptions, caused two fumbles, averaged 47 yards on his kickoffs, was 7 of 8 with his PAT kicks and booted a 22 yard field goal to give Mitchell a 3-0 lead after one stanza.

Dez Smith added 157 yards and two TDs on 12 carries and had a fumble recovery while QB Cael Peters ran 27 times for 127 yards with 3 touchdowns, was 2 of 3 passing for 22 yards which included a 15 yard TD toss to Ace Hobbs. Peters also made 14 tackles and recorded a 29 yard Pick 6 in the game.

Entering the Ord quarterfinal game, Dez Smith has 1,314 yards with 19 TDs. Castillo is up to 1,162 yards with 13 TDs, while QB Cael Peters is sitting at 812 yards rushing with 14 scores.

*Anthony Rezac, Jahmez Ross, Caleb Benning, Teddy Rezac O-Line-Omaha Westside - It was business as usual in the Warriors 54-6 win over Creighton Prep in the Class A Round of 16. Sensational QB Anthony Rezac completed 16 of 28 passes for 228 yards and 4 TDs, a pair of those hauled in by junior Christian Jones. Rezac also rushed for 86 yards on only 8 carries. RB Jahmez Ross ran for 149 yards on just 14 totes with scoring runs covering 17, 14 and 15 yards.

Caleb Benning caught a 42 yard scoring pass and pirated a Prep aerial on defense, while Teddy Rezac made 8 tackles, had an interception and caught 4 passes for 19 yards.

And that Omaha Westside Offensive Line? Dare I say they are the gold standard in Class A? Yessir.

*1000 Yard Rusher Alert*

*Bobby Joseph-Millard West - The Wildcat quarterback’s 178 yards rushing in the 49-14 win over Millard North raised his 2023 rushing total to 1,123 yards and places him in The Bobby Mills 1000 Yard Club forever. Joseph also darted for long scoring runs of 68 and 41 yards in the ‘Cats victory.

**2000 Yard Passing Alert**

*Danny Kaelin, CJ Gauff, Isaiah McMorris-Bellevue West - Nebraska QB pledge Danny Kaelin surpassed the 2000 yard passing yardage mark in the Thunderbirds 49-28 win over Papillion LaVista South. Kaelin completed 18 of 29 throws for 276 yards and a pair of TDs. RB CJ Gauff exploded for 182 yards and 4 TDs on 32 touches, while wide receiver Isaiah McMorris caught 9 Kaelin aerials for 138 yards which included a sparkling 75 yards scoring grab. Isaiah also had a 73 yard Pick 6 in the game.

*Jeter Worthley-Lincoln East - The Spartan quarterback picked a good time to break out. Worthley ran for 163 yards on 23 carries with scoring runs of 30 and 25 yards in East’s huge 24-17 playoff win over Lincoln Southeast. Jeter was also 12 of 16 through the air for 131 yards and a touchdown. That gives the Lincoln East senior 1,527 yards passing with 18 touchdowns thus far in 2023. The Dual-Threat QB has also rushed for 661 yards with an additional 11 scores entering the Spartans quarterfinal tilt with Elkhorn South.

**2000 Yard Passing Alert**

*Tucker Synek, Kooper Kuhl, Tigers Defense-Hastings - Tigers quarterback Tucker Synek set the tone early in Hastings 35-6 win over Seward. Synek’s 57 yard scoring strike to Chance Vertin on the third play of the game paved the way to a 14 of 18 passing for 198 yard opening half statline for the Hastings junior. Synek would end the night completing 17 of 22 passes for 228 yards and a pair of TD tosses.

Junior RB Kooper Kohl, who had rushed for just 197 yards on 32 carries during the regular season, exploded for 138 yards on 21 carries and three touchdown runs covering 1, 6 and 3 yards. The Tigers outstanding “D” held Seward 148 total yards (46 in the 2nd half, 26 in the 4th quarter. The raging Tigers also forced 5 fumbles and an interception in the game. Meanwhile the Hastings offense was racking up a big time 411 yards in the win.

*1000 Yard Rusher Alert*

*Mavrick Binder-Auburn - This is the 5th straight week basketball phenom Mavrick Binder has ripped up the gridiron. In the Bulldogs 36-32 C1 playoff win over Ogallala, Binder zipped for 192 yards and 4 TDs on 26 carries. What a turnaround for Mav, who had 200 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on 36 totes through Auburn’s first 5 games. The last 5, he has carried 11 times for a spectacular 907 yards and 19 scores.

That vaults Binder into the Bobby Mills 1000 Yard Club with a current 1,107 yards. Welcome aboard my friend!

*Nolan Feller, Jett Thomalla-Millard South - Senior RB Noah Feller had a big night in the Patriots 38-0 whitewashing of Lincoln North Star, rambling for 152 big ones on 24 touches and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Class A’s leading gunslinger sophomore Jett Thomalla was getting it done through the air, completing 13 of 21 passes for 165 yards.) The Super Soph now has a Class A best 2,265 passing yards through 10 games.

*Conor Booth-Bishop Neumann - Despite Conor Booth’s Neumann team losing to Mitchell, the Nebraska bound junior made his presence known by bolting for 194 yards on 25 carries. That gives Booth 2,159 and 31 TDs for 2023 and 3,137 career rushing on 279 carries (11.2) and 49 TDs, setting him up for a big year in 2024 where he will chase and catch that 5000 Yard career Rushing mark barring injury.

*Dylan Hurlburt, Blake Hinrichs, Trent McCain-Ord - This Chanticleer trio was busy in Ord’s hard-earned 18-13 C2 playoff win over a fine Hartington Cedar Catholic squad. Hurlburt hit 10 of 17 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. The Dual-Threat Hurlburt also ran for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 totes, giving him 907 yards for the season. The mobile Blake Hinrichs caught three of Dylan Hurlburt's passes, good for 125 yards and that 34 yard touchdown. The great Trent McCain added 124 rushing yards (1,164 for the year) while also being a menace on defense, recording 12 tackles with 6 solos.

*Kevin Mendez-Oakland-Craig - The 5-6, 165 pound senior RB broke loose for 168 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in Oakland-Craig’s 37-8 triumph over Amherst.

*8-Man Section*

*Ethan Latta-Dundy County/Stratton - Outstanding Sophomore running back bolted for 211 yards on 29 carries and SIX touchdowns in the Tigers 48-14 win over Twin Loup. Latta also caught 2 passes for 69 yards and made 7 tackles on defense. Quarterback Lane Brown also completed 6 of 9 aerials for 156 yards and made 6 tackles in the game.

Make no mistake about it, this Sophomore Ethan Latta is Special. He has already broken the school record for TDs in a single season (He has 30), and points in a season (he has 258). Latta is also two TDs away from Quade Myers record of 32 rushing touchdowns in a season, is two receiving TDs away from Corbin Horner’s single season mark of 11, and is 20 yards away from Horner’s single season receiving yards record (Ethan has 473).

And, if you recall, Ethan Latta was an All-State selection at defensive back a year ago as a Freshman. BALLER!

*Hunter Luther-Howells-Dodge - The 6-2, 180 pound sophomore was the key figure in the Jaguars 32-12 win over previously undefeated Ainsworth. Luther carried the ball a staggering 51 times for 298 yards and had three touchdowns covering 28, 16 and 22 yards. Hunter was also 1 for 1 passing with a 19 yard TD strike to Colton Klosen. That raises Luther’s season rushing total to 1,444 with 24 touchdowns entering Howells-Dodge quarterfinal home matchup with Dundy County/Stratton this Friday.

*Brecklin Schluter-EMF - The incomparable Brecklin Schluter rushed for 234 yards and 4 touchdowns on a grueling 39 carries in EMF’s 26-0 win over a very good Shelby/Rising City football team. Schluter also made 9 stops on defense. The extraordinary Schluter is now up to 2,119 yards on the ground with 41 TDs and an amazing 6,517 Career rushing yards, placing him 11th best ALL-TIME.

*Hayden Sich-Arapahoe - Thwarted Ravenna’s last two drives with tackles for losses to help secure a 12-6 Arapahoe win. The first, an 11 yard QB sack with Ravenna threatening on the Arapahoe 29 yard line with 3 minutes remaining in the game. The final came on a tackle for loss inside the Ravenna 7 yard line with under a minute left in regulation.

*Barrett Wilke, Becker Pohlman, Mitchell Hupp-Stanton - The yard gobbling, bone crushing Terrific Trio was at their best in Stanton’s 60-30 win over a fine Summerland team. QB Barrett Wilke was 2-4 passing for 48 yards with a pair of scoring tosses, both to Mitchell Hupp. The Dual-Threat Wilke also tore things up on the ground, jetting for 147 yards and two scores on 25 touches. Wilke’s season-to-date stats; (Passing; 37 of 59 for 1,058 with 12 TDs and just 2 picks, 1,382 yards rushing on 124 carries (11.1/per) with 26 TDs and 37 tackles with an INT defensively)

Becker Pohlman was also golden in the Summerland victory, busting loose for 251 big ones and 4 TDs on 21 carries. Pohlman’s current 2023 stats are: (1,414 rushing on 116 carries (12.2/carry) with 24 TDs, Receiving-11 catches for 198 yards with 5 TDs, Defense- 71 tackles.

Mitchell Hupp of course had those two receptions in the Summerland game, good for 48 yards and both for TDs. BIG Mitch’s year-to-date statistics; Receiving-21 catches for 743 yards with 14 TDs (34.4/catch!) Defense-44 tackles 30 solos-14 assists/6 sacks.

Can anyone stop this Stanton team? It’s looking more doubtful every week. This is a brutal football team that will bowl over you offensively and crush you defensively, taking no prisoners.

*Kyle Cox, Coby Higgens, Knights “D” - Sandhills-Thedford - Here we go again with the awesome Kyle Cox and friends from Sandhills-Thedford, Football Mecca of the Sandhills.

In the Knights 52-12 win over a fine Nebraska City Lourdes squad, junior quarterback Kyle Cox rushed for 231 yards and FIVE TDs on 35 carries, made 12 tackles on defense with 9 solo stops and punted twice for an 39.o average, good enough for All-State consideration there alone.

(Oh, by the way here are Cox’s 2023 stats thus far; Passing-50 of 72 for 752 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs, Rushing-1,991 yards-204 carries (9.8/carry) 43 touchdowns, Defense-85 tackles (54 solos/5 INTs.)

Colby Higgens was also active on both sides of the ball, running for 110 yards and a TD on offense and making 10 tackles on defense (8 solos)

AND that brilliant Knights defense! Let me tell you about this crew. These guys can TACKLE. 70% of S-T’s tackles are solo stops. Not saying they don’t flow to the ball, I just saying technique wise, I haven’t seen tackling like this in quite a while in the 8-Man Two ranks. These kids work their tails off on the farms and ranches around Halsey, Dunning and Thedford year round and know what hard work and dedication means.

*Grady Kelly, Taesian Soto-Central Valley - The powerful, yet shifty Kelly ran for 156 yards and three TDs on just 12 totes in the Cougs 46-6 trouncing of BDS. He also made 12 tackles on defense, only to be bested by classmate Taesian Soto, who had 13. It’s alright, they’re buddies.

*Trey Connell-South Loup - Bobcats quarterback ran for 158 yards and 4 TDs in South Loup’s 62-12 win over a strong Lawrence-Nelson team. Connell also was bullseye on 4 of 5 passes for 83 yards and a TD. The fine field general also picked off two L-N passes, made 4 tackles and had one booming punt of 41 yards in the 40 point win.

*Nate Decker. Maverick Hagemann, Mason Nitz-Elkhorn Valley - Threesome helped gain revenge for Plainview’s 27-12 win two weeks ago. In Elkhorn Vally’s 36-8 reversal win over Plainview in the D1 playoffs, Nate Decker picked off THREE Pirate passes, giving him 8 for the year, Maverick Hagemann ran for 134 yards and a score on 34 carries after being held to 43 yards two weeks ago by Plainview, and QB Mason Nitz, despite only completing 4 of 14 passes for 62 yards BUT two of those went for touchdowns, one a 10 yarder to Trevis Halsey, the other to Dawson Hansen.

*Tyler Shoup, -Cross County - Senior Return Specialist took another kickoff to the house, this time the game opener in the Cougars 58-6 win over Parkins County. That is Shoup’s FOURTH kick return to the house this season.

*Sloan Pelican, Chase Van Winkle, Casen Dalinghaus, Hayden Gravatt-Johnson-Brock - Rugged QB Sloan Pelican was 8 of 10 passing for 100 yards even and two touchdowns in Johnson-Brocks 36-14 win over Anselmo-Merna. Chase Van Winkle was on the receiving end of 6 of those aerial targets, good for 85 yards and both touchdowns. The incredible Van Winkle now has 43 receptions for a robust 995 yards this season.

Sloan Pelican also got it done on the ground, rushing 18 times for 116 yards and two more scores, while sophomore Hayden Gravatt added 63 yards on 11 totes with a touchdown and 8 stops defensively.

Casen Dalinghaus made 6 tackles and had a pair of interceptions in the game, but the guy has sneaky good offensively this season, catching 10 passes for 297 yards, SIX of which were TOUCHDOWNS.

*Dylan Heine, Chase Schroeder, Zack Foxhoven, Kason Koch- Wynot - The outstanding Dylan Heine completed 5 of 6 throws for 141 yards and three touchdowns in Wynot’s 50-20 win over Mullen. Chase Schroeder caught three of those passes from Heine, ALL going for scores and with it came 116 yards of gridiron real estate on the Blue Devils stat sheet.

Senior Zack Foxhoven led the ground attack with 101 yards on 5 carries, but it was sophomore Kason Koch who scored the TDs, getting a pair on his 5 carries/37 yards night. Koch was also a standout on defense, making 12 tackles.

*Carson Wessel, Ethan Wieseler-Humphrey St. Francis - Wessel, the 6-2, 185 pound sophomore QB, ran for 88 yards on 15 carries and 3 touchdowns, completed 4 of 6 passes for 59 yards and an additional touchdown, had 12 tackles and intercepted a pass in the Flyers 42-8 win over Axtell. Freshman Ethan Wieseler added 112 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries and made 10 tackles on defense.

*6-Man Section*

*Dane Pilakowski-Arthur County - The dude COULD NOT be stopped early in the Wolves 60-14 win over Shelton. Pilakowski carried the ball just EIGHT times in the game, yet scooted for an unbelievable FIVE touchdowns and 243 yards, averaging a video game-like 30.4 yards a tote!

*Maddox Jones, Jordan Scoville-SEM - Jones ran for 142 yards and 4 touchdowns on 23 carries in SEM’s 52-0 win over Paxton. He also made 6 stops on defense and picked off two passes. Freshman Jordan Scoville wasn’t far off with his 130 yards and two scores on 10 touches.

Maddox Jones now has 1,130 yards rushing on the year with 20 TDs while young Scoville has racked up 579 big ones with 10 TDs.

*Braeden Kasten- Potter-Dix- Ho-Hum, just the usual game for the great Braeden Kasten in the Potter-Dix 58-14 win over a very potent Red Cloud team. Kasten’s numbers; 117 yards rushing and 2 TDs on 12 carries, 1 reception for 26 yards, 8 tackles and two interceptions on “D”, one of which was a Pick 6.

Just another day at the office for Kasten.

*Kayde Ramm, Benjamin Paxton-Stuart - Bronco sophomore quarterback Kayde Ramm completed 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns, with all three scoring tosses ending up in the capable hands of junior Benjamin Paxton. Ramm also rushed twice for 37 yards and an additional score while Paxton was busy logging 10 tackles on defense.

*Gage Mintkin-Hay Springs - Ran for 156 yards and FIVE touchdowns on 12 carries in the Hawks 66-26 win over the other Hawks from Hampton. Mintkin, who has played in just 6 games this season, has run for 707 yards and 16 touchdowns including 387 yards on just 31 carries and 10 TDs the past two games.