Bison power through first round of playoffs

McCook senior quarterback Zach Schlager (1) makes a move to elude this Waverly defender during Saturday's Class B state playoff victory at Weiland Field. Schlager scored three touchdowns in the 34-23 Bison victory.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Fresh legs and four scores in McCook's first four series had senior Zach Schlager feeling good about the 34-23 Bison Class B state victory over Waverly at Weiland Friday night.

"This was the greatest feeling ever, it's unexplainable really," the all-state quarterback and linebacker remarked about his first game since taking on York Sept. 22. "I felt like myself tonight. I felt the best I have since week one."

Schlagerer's three rushing touchdowns power the No. 5 Bison (9-1) into next Friday's Class B quarterfinal at No. 4 Omaha Skutt Catholic (8-2).

McCook led 14-0 through one quarter and 20-0 until Waverly (6-4 record) returned a Bison fumble for one touchdown just before halftime.

The Bison promptly rebuilt a 34-7 lead until those Vikings tallied two far-too-little-too-late TDs.

Schlager had missed McCook's five previous games due to a broken pelvic bone. He missed almost three earlier games because of a hip pointer suffered in the season opener at Aurora on Aug. 25.

McCook's Kaleb Taylor sacks Waverly quarterback Rhett Jordon during the first quarter of Friday's game at Weiland Field.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

Sophomore quarterback Cameryn Berry — who started seven games this season — played plenty and lofted a touchdown pass to senior Kaleb Taylor in the third quarter.

Taylor was filling in for injured junior DJ Gross, who took a helmet-to-helmet just before halftime.

Coach Jeff Gross said he hopes his son and starting linebacker/tight end will be ready for next week's Skutt game.

"It's in the doctor's hands now though," coach Gross said.

Look for more details, photos and full game coverage in Monday's Gazette.