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Bison coaches, players hope that home field is an advantage
The McCook Bison football team played in front of a raucous crowd at York's homecoming game Oct. 10.
The Bison survived six turnovers on offense and came from behind to defeat the Dukes 16-13 in overtime.
Since then both teams have won four straight game en route to a second meeting. McCook is 10-0 and York 8-2.
Monday, it's McCook's turn to host York. Kickoff at Weiland Field for the Nebraska Class B state second-round playoff game is 2 p.m.
Bison coach Jeff Gross said his players would like to play in front of a packed house. McCook, the defending Class B state champion, will try to extend its 23-game winning streak.
McCook advanced to the second round with a 42-14 win over Grand Island Northwest Wednesday. York defeated Chadron 40-17.
"One of the reasons we were successful last year at state was from the following from our fans -- our fans have been there for us," Gross said. "We're just trying to make that extra push. It's important for the kids.
"When we played at York, it was a tough environment. It was standing room only -- they packed their house. We would like to pack our house."
In the first meeting between McCook and York, the Bison outgained the Dukes 298-203. The Bison tied the score on an 11-yard screen pass from Trent Lyons to Brendan Liess in the final seconds of regulation and won the game on a Lyons field goal.
Since that game, York has changed quarterbacks. Because of an injury to Zac Holoch, junior Derek Harlow has started at quarterback.
The Dukes' offense relies on tailback Miles Berg, who has rushed for 665 yards.
The key player to stop for the Bison is Z-back Derek McKenzie, described by Gross as the best receiver in Class B. McKenzie has 22 catches for 553 yards and seven touchdowns.
Another threat is tight end Danny Dutmer, who has 13 catches for 194 yards.
The Dukes' defense is led by inside linebacker Levi Rath, who has 148 tackles and four interceptions.
The Bison have rolled up 5,244 total yards (3,596 rushing, 913 passing and 692 in kick returns).
Sophomore tailback Liess unofficially leads Class B in rushing with 1,394 yards. Senior fullback Kyle Bedore has 961 yards.
Senior quarterback Lyons has 789 yards rushing to go with his 913 passing.
Allan Shiers has caught 13 passes for 279 yards, followed by his tight end counterpart Brooks Snyder, who has 12 catches for 202. Liess has 10 catches for 194.
Lyons has scored 130 points (14 touchdowns, 28 extra points and six field goals). Liess has scored 18 TDs (15 rush, 2 pass and 1 interception) plays one PAT for 110 points.
The Bison have scored 302 points and the defense has allowed 93.
Lyons, who has four interceptions in the last three games, leads McCook in defensive points with 180. Rico Quezada has 166, Trevor Bourg 137, Jeremy Young 136, Shiers 130, Snyder 127, Jayce Dueland 110 and Bedore 106.
"We have more speed and they have more size," Gross said. "When we had the ball at York, we were ineffective. We have to play good playoff football -- play good defense, take care of the ball on offense and play well on special teams. We've used the same formula for the past 3-4 years.
"We can't fumble the ball in the middle of the field and give them half a field. As disciplined as we need to be on offense, we need to be ballhawks on defense. We have been creating a lot of turnovers the last quarter of the season. You have to like the progress we have made."
YORK DUKES (8-2)
AT McCOOK BISON (10-0)
Date: Monday, Nov. 10, 2003
Kickoff: 2 p.m. CST
Location: Weiland Field, McCook.
Radio: KICX 96.1-FM
Pre-game show: 1 p.m. CST
STARTING LINEUPS
McCOOK OFFENSE
WR -- Sean Cappel (84), 6-1, 165, sr.
WR -- Cade Lines (24), 5-7, 150, sr.
WR -- Matt Beckenhauer, 5-9, 130, sr.
TE -- Allan Shiers (8), 6-2, 185, sr.
TE -- Brooks Snyder (40) 6-2, 200, sr.
RT -- Talon Darling (77), 6-4, 270, sr.
RG -- Kip Bradley (58), 6-2, 220, sr.
or Jeff Lyster (63), 6-1, 185, jr.
C -- Karl Shaddock (62), 6-2, 220, jr.
RG -- Richard Smock (68), 6-1, 235, sr.
RT -- Trevor Bourg (65), 6-3, 225, sr.
FB -- Kyle Bedore (34), 6-3, 185, sr.
TB -- Brendan Liess (44), 6-0, 170, so.
QB -- Trent Lyons (21), 6-0, 155, sr.
McCOOK DEFENSE
RE -- Trevor Bourg (65), 6-3, 225, sr.
RDT -- Richard Smock (68), 6-1, 235, sr.
LDT -- Jayce Dueland (64), 5-11, 215, jr.
LE -- Jeremy Young (87), 6-3, 205, jr.
ILB -- Allan Shiers (8), 6-2, 185, sr.
ILB -- Brooks Snyder (40), 6-2, 200, sr.
OLB -- Kyle Bedore (34), 6-3, 185, sr.
OLB -- Brendan Liess (44), 6-0, 170. so.
or Drew Wilson (10), 5-9, 180, jr.
RCB -- Derek Ruppert (6), 6-0, 170, jr.
LCB -- Rico Quezada (12), 5-7, 155, jr.
Nickel -- Tony Purvis (5), 6-1, 155, so.
FS -- Trent Lyons (21), 6-0, 155, sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- Trent Lyons (21), 6-0, 155, sr.
P -- Trent Lyons (21), 6-0, 155, sr.
H -- Matt Beckenhauer (2), 5-9, 130, sr.
LS -- Jayce Dueland (64), 5-11, 215, jr.
KR -- Brendan Liess (44), 6-0, 170, so.
David McCorkle (23), 5-9, 145, so.
Tony Purvis (5), 6-1, 155, so.
YORK OFFENSE
X -- Jess Graver (16), 165, jr.
Z -- Derek McKenzie (26), 170, sr.
TE -- Danny Dutmer (86), 200, jr.
T -- Ryan Neinhueser (77), 285, sr.
G -- Brian Hying (53), 210, jr.
C -- Brian Heath (50), 240, sr.
G -- Levi Rath (55), 230, sr.
T -- Nick Crosnoe (79), 270, sr.
QB -- Derek Harlow (14), 165, jr.
FB -- Trevor Mclain (44), 180, sr.
TB -- Miles Berg (12), 190, jr.
and Sheldon Budler (25), 165, sr.
YORK DEFENSE
E -- Nolan Rathe (29), 205, sr.
T -- Ryan Neinhueser (77), 285, sr.
NG -- Cody Bellows (70), 265, jr.
T -- Nick Crosnoe (79), 270, sr.
E -- Danny Dutmer (86), 200, jr.
OLB -- Bryant Meadows (45), 170, so.
MLB -- Levi Rath (55), 230, sr.
OLB -- Trevor Mclain (44), 180, sr.
CB -- Miles Berg (12), 190, jr.
CB -- Derek McKenzie (26), 170, sr.
FS -- Sheldon Budler (25), 165, sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK -- Nolan Rathe (29), 205, sr.
P -- Danny Dutmer (86), 200, jr.
KR -- Derek McKenzie (26), 170, sr.