Week Five Friday Night Lights Football Heroes

Howells-Dodge All-State junior RB Hunter Luther (#22) and his Offensive Line are something Special in Nebraska 8-Man football circles.

11-Man

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert*** - Third Time Around

*Quinn Bailey-Chadron - The incomparable Cardinals senior notched his THIRD 300 yard rushing game in Chadron’s 34-14 win over Ogallala. Bailey sprinted for 301 yards and FIVE touchdowns on 31 carries, lifting him over the 1000 yard rushing mark for third season.

Quinn Bailey is now at 1,420 yards rushing through 5 games, ranking him SECOND in the nation in that category. Bailey’s Career rushing mark now stands at 4,910 yards, just NINETY short of the coveted 5000 Yard Career Rushing plateau. And keep this in mind, the dude weighs just 165 pounds.

1,420 yards on 170 totes and 16 TDs leaves me speechless.

*Conor Booth, Jake Rezak, Jared Cernik, Neumann “D”-Wahoo Neumann - Husker commit Conor Booth ran for 219 yards and 3 TDs on just 11 carries in the Cavaliers 74-0 win over Palmyra. That raises his season rushing total to 1,192 yards and his career rushing mark to 4,329 yards.

QB Jake Rezac completed 5 of 6 passes for 61 yards and FOUR TDs. Jared Cernik made 4 tackles and returned a fumble 31 yards for a score while the Neumann defense was holding Palmyra for a MINUS 14 yards of total offense for the game.

Would anybody besides me like to see a football game between Bishop Neumann and Wahoo this season? We can dream, can’t we?

*Madden Riggs, Storm Defense-Elkhorn South - During the Storms 70-0 win over Omaha South, quarterback Madden Riggs completed 8 of 11 passes for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Riggs touchdown passes were caught by Landon Tate (35 yards), Keenan Schroeder (19 yards), Devon Meyer (11 yards) and Braylon DePerno (52 yards).

The stout Elkhorn South defense held Omaha South to 90 yards of total offense in the win.

*Tristan Campbell, Gunner Kaps-McCook - Junior Tristian Campbell roared for 259 yards on 26 totes and a pair of touchdowns in McCooks nail biting 24-23 victory over pretty darn good Gering football team. Sophomore kicker Gunner Caps was also huge in the Bison win, going 3 for 3 on PAT attempts and nailing a late-in-the-game 36 yard field goal.

*Beau Rohrich-Wood River - If you think Grandpa Larry Vlasin was smiling up above a few weeks back, he had to be tickled pink about Beau’s performance in the Eagles 37-20 win over Hastings St. Cecilia last Friday. Rohrich bolted through that Bluehawk defense for 329 yards on 29 carries and FIVE touchdowns in that Wood River triumph.. Beau is on his way to a thousand yards rushing, currently sitting at 913 right after just 5 games..

*Tresten Hass, Peyton Else, Jack Vyhnalek-Seward - Trio of Bluejays juniors were standouts in Sewards 41-6 victory over Lincoln Northwest. QB Tresten Hass completed 14 of 17 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Payton Else rushed for 102 yards on 7 carries and a 5 yard touchdown, while wide receiver Jack Vyhnhalek caught 4 aerials from Hass for 116 yards and touchdown receptions covering 42 and 13 yards.

*Michael Knudsen, Bryce Lakers, Drew Boltz-Gretna High - This trio of Gretna High juniors must be wondering what you have to do to get a win after their 56-35 loss to powerhouse Bennington. QB Michael Knudsen completed 24 of 40 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns. His favorite receivers were Bryce Lakers, who caught 10 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns and Drew Bolts, who grabbed 9 receptions for 186 yards and a pair of scores.

Those are pretty impressive offensive pass/catch numbers, but I guess that defense comes into play at some point, eh?

*Orrin Kuehn-Minden - The remarkable Kuehn finally had the breakout game he deserved in the Whippets 20-14 win over rival Holdrege The lightning fast Kuehn gained 242 yards on 29 carries with three touchdowns, caught 2 passes, and made 11 tackles on defense with two sacks. This kid is SPECIAL!.

*Derek Jones-Papillion LaVista South - 5-8, 185 pound Junior has been on a tear the last two weeks for Papio South. After rambling for 223 yards and four touchdowns a week ago against Omaha Westview, Jones duplicated his feat plus one by rushing for 224 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns in a 47-0 victory over Norfolk last Friday. Jones, who has run for 616 yards this season, has already surpassed his entire 2023 season total of 614 yards in just FIVE games this go-around.

*Jett Tinglehoff-Elkhorn North - Jetted for 157 yards on 27 carries and all three touchdowns in Elkhorn North’s 21-7 win over Blair.

*Jordan Williams, Beau Wells, Colton Thompson, Colt Meyer-Ord - Sophomore QB Jordan Williams and Freshman RB Beau Wells led a young Chanticleers squad to their first victory of the 2024 season, a 49-13 win over St. Paul. Williams hit 9 of 16 passes for 218 yards and FIVE TDs. Landon Critel (2 TD catches), Beau Wells, Easton Ryschon and Haydin Nelson all had scoring catches in the game.

Wells led Ord's ground attack with 138 yards and a touchdown on 17 touches, while Colton Thompson picked off THREE passes for the Chants, who are at GICC this Friday.

And lest we forget, Jordan Williams is the younger brother of Jase Williams, who was a three time 1000 yard rusher for Burwell and one of the greatest running backs in that storied program’s history. He’s also on the Chants coaching staff.

*Alec Pochup, Jaxon Mettler-Battle Creek - It was the ground game versus the passing game in the Classic battle between Battle Creek and Oakland-Craig last Friday. Battle Creek had the last word in the back and forth 45-38 win over the Knights and Braves QB Jaxon Mettler was one of the main reasons why.

Mettler was lethal in this one, rushing for 180 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. He also completed 6 of 10 passes for 94 yards and yet another score. Alec Pochup was also a force late in the action, gaining 145 yards on 12 carries with 2 touchdowns. Alec also caught 4 passes for 68 yards.

*Braylon Anderson, Corbin Guill, Jeremiah Druckenmiller, Isaak Maxwell-Oakland-Craig - The remarkable Braylon Anderson was fantastic in the 45-38 loss to Battle Creek. Anderson completed 25 of 34 passes for a staggering 381 yards and five touchdowns in the setback. Corbin Guill caught 6 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown, Jeremiah Druckenmiller had 9 grabs for 110 yards and two touchdowns and Isaac Maxwell had 6 receptions for 81 yards with a touchdown in the heartbreaking loss.

8-Man/6-Man

*Gage Hedstrom-O’Neill St. Marys - Junior QB amassed a gigantic 634 yards in a 70-68 loss to Ainsworth. Check out these video game-like statistics: 18 of 28 passing for 268 yards and 4 TDs, 144 yards rushing and 3 TDs on 17 carries and 222 kick return yards with TWO kick return touchdowns.

That's 634 yards and 9 TDs. He also had 15 tackles and punted 3 times for a 39 yard average…..and still lost. What does a guy have to do?

*Hunter Luther, Jaguars O-Line, Jags “D” - Howells-Dodge - Luther, the Howells-Dodge RB sensation, followed his top notch offensive line for 124 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns despite playing in only the 1st half.. The Jaguars defense was also sensational in the game, holding a fine 4-0 Fullerton squad to a total of 97 yards of total offense.

*Quinn Oberg-Elm Creek - Escaped for 252 yards and 5 touchdowns on just 15 carries in the Buffaloes 63-14 win over Franklin. Oberg also returned a punt 40 yards for an additional score. The 5-10, 170 pound junior has been lights out the past two games, rushing for 498 yards and 10 touchdowns, raising his season rushing total to 763 yards.

*Alec Schnitzler-Nebraska City Lourdes - The 5-9, 160 pound Freshman did it all in Lourdes Central Catholic’s 78-22 victory over Omaha Christian Academy. Alec ran for an amazing 220 yards on just SIX carries with four touchdowns covering 40, 25, 69 and 41 yards. Schnitzler also threw a 41 yard TD strike to Callen Schnitzler and returned a fumble for yet another TD. HE'S A FRESHMAN clap-clap clap clap clap..

*Morgan Kinney-Ainsworth - 5-8, 150 pound senior team leader had a spectacular outing in Ainsworth’s 70-68 win over St. Marys. The RB accounted for 433 yards of total offense and here's how he did it. Kinny rushed for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries, returned a punt 70 yards for a score, went 4 for 5 passing for 22 yards and 2 more TDs, and had three receptions for six yards and another TD.

Oh yes, Kinney also made six solo stops on defense.

*Kreyton Wiese-Wauneta-Palisade - The 6-2, 205 pound sophomore was a shining star in Wa-Pa’s 35-27 loss to Paxton. Young Wiese roared for 185 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown, caught 2 passes for 12 yards, completed three of four passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, and returned a kick 74 yards for yet another score. On defense Kreyton made 8 tackles, and recovered 2 fumbles.

Good grief, what does a guy have to do to get a “W” these days in the world of 6-Man football?

*Kyle Cox, Carson Cooksley-Sandhills-Thedford - Just another day at the office for Sandhills-Thedford’s QB Kyle Cox and tackling machine Carson Cooksley. Cox compiled 101 yards passing with two touchdowns and 201 yards rushing with another three touchdowns. On defense Kyle Cox made 8 tackles, intercepted a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown. The senior star was also five of six on PAT attempts. Carson Cooksley made 10 tackles in the game, swelling his career total to 200 stops.

*William Cacy, Grayson Koller-Arapahoe - Senior duo helped 8-Man One #4 Arapahoe take down 8-Man One #5 Dundy County-Stratton 26-20. Cacy rambled for 241 yards and 2 TDs on 31 carries, scoring on runs of 58 and 68 yards. Grayson Koller scored on a 27 yard touchdown pass from Trenton Roskup and made 15 tackles on defense in the big Western Nebraska 8-Man showdown.

*Tucker Matthies, Wyatt Crosley-Clarkson-Leigh - Junior running backs ran roughshod through hMadison's defense in Clarkson-Leighs 84-26 win. Matthies gained 226 yards on just 10 carries, scoring on runs of 42, 69, 29 and 24 yards. Crosley zipped for 89 yards on just 9 carries, scoring 3 touchdowns on runs covering 7, 10 and 15 yards for a suddenly surging Clarkson-Leigh squad.

*Fletcher Dubas, Fullerton Offense - Dubas, Fullerton’s 4 year starter at quarterback, did something I haven't seen in all my years of watching high school football. It took place in a 46 to 8 loss to powerhouse Howells Dodge.

Trailing 40-0 at halftime, Fullerton faced a running clock when they received the 3rd quarter kickoff from the Jags. The masterful Fletcher Dubas fashioned a long 15 play, 50 yard scoring drive that ate up the ENTIRE THIRD QUARTER. Fullerton scored with 3.3 seconds left then kicked off to Howells-Dodge as the quarter expired.

I realize this could only happen with a running clock, but what a rare feat for Dubas and the Warriors to pull off despite being beaten 46-8.

*Luke Bailey-Ansley-Litchfield - Quarterback rushed for 210 yards and 4 TDs covering 11, 33, 1 and 9 yards on 32 carries in the Spartans 46-40 Six- Man overtime victory over Shelton. Bailey also completed 6 of 10 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, made 11 tackles on defense, intercepted a pass and also scored on a 63 yard kickoff return in the big win.

*Jackson Wykert-Perkins County - Ran for 160 yards and 3 TDs on 28 carries in Perkins County’s 26-20 win over Sutherland.

*Dagan Ortigiesen, Graiden Ritner, Thomas Donley-Wilcox-Hildreth - In a 70-22 win over Blue Hill: QB Dagan Ortigiesen hit 12-23 passes for 306 yards and 3 TDs. Ritner caught 7 passes for 176 yards and 2 scores while Patterson had 4 receptions for 97yards and 3 touchdowns.

*Houston Billiter, Trenton Williams, Deric Kelly-Southwest (Bartley) - Here's another one of those “What do I have to do to win a football game” stories. Junior quarterback Houston Billiter, who transferred to Southwest from Loomis after freshman season, completed 29 of 40 passes for a gigantic 406 yards and SIX TDs, but still lost to Wallace 67-45. He also made 14 tackles in the 22 point loss.

Williams caught 16 of Billiter’s 29 throws for a gigantic 243 yards and FOUR TDs, while the sophomore Kelly hauled in 6 receptions for 128 yards and 2 TDs.

So goes the wild and crazy game of 6-Man football where everybody has to know how to cover lots of ground, block and open field tackle.

*Colt Franklin, Ashton Johns, Masen Messersmith-Wallace - Well, Colt Franklin didn't throw for 406 yards like Houston Billiter, but he did complete six of nine passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns in Wallace's 67-45 win over Southwest. Another sophomore, Ashton Johns, rambled for 178 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries, while versatile senior Masen Messersmith gained 64 yards on just 6 carries (with a TD) and caught 3 passes, ALL touchdowns, for 150 yards.

*Michael Koenig, Mathias Wagner, Sam Cheatum-Summerland - All three were stars in Summerland's big 60-42 win over Plainview. Gunslinger Michael Koenig completed 11 of 17 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns, rushed 17 times for 123 yards and a touchdown, and made 9 tackles on defense. Sophomore Mathias Wagner was the ground gaining leader, rolling for 151 yards on 22 carries with four touchdowns, while the multi-talented Sam Cheatum was the leading receiver, catching 7 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. Cheatum also had an interception on defense.

*Trevor Trimble, Owen Kneifl-Pender - In the Pendragons 60--36 triumph over Homer: Junior Trevor Trimble nearly did it all in this Pender victory. He gained 63 yards on 9 carries and a touchdown, caught 4 passes for 68 yards which included a 46 yard touchdown catch, returned a punt 63 yards for a score, took a kickoff 75 yards to the house, made six tackles on defense and intercepted a pass. Owen Kneifl also came up big, rushing for 179 yards on 23 carries and five touchdowns. On defense Kneifl made 10 tackles.