Vikings run smack into Bison 'storm' front

Sophomore Cameryn Berry completed all four of his passes for McCook in the state playoff win over Waverly Friday night. He also rushed for a game-high 101 yards.

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 Field Friday.

“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.”

Schlager’s two rushing touchdowns helped power the No. 5 Bison (9-1) into this week’s Class B quarterfinal at No. 4 Omaha Skutt Catholic (8-2).

McCook led 14-0 through one quarter and 20-0 before Waverly (6-4 record) got even close to scoring a point.

In fact, the Vikings’ only first-half score came on a Bison fumble which popped perfectly into linebacker Jack Sharp’s arms for his 21-yard touchdown return.

The Bison promptly rebuilt a 34-7 lead after halftime on senior Kaleb Taylor’s first touchdown reception this season and Schlager’s second three-yard blast through that Viking defense.

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.

“What was the highlight? I’d say just getting into the end zone,” he said. “It was a long five weeks. I give a lot of credit to Ethan, our trainer, because it (rehab) can wear you down after awhile. But he made sure I got the most out of it.”

Schlager also had to marvel at the other part of McCook’s 1-2 quarterback punch which helped knock out this first playoff foe.

Sophomore quarterback Cameryn Berry — who started seven games this season — rushed for a Bison-best 101 yards and completed all four of his pass attempts.

The most memorable was a first-quarter play where Berry backpedaled, darted and dashed around defenders before finding open teammate Gabe Sehnert along one sideline.

“Watching Cam reminds me of 07-09 and watching (now assistant coach) Matt Berry,” Schlager recalled. “Cam’s a shifty kid.”

Sehnert turned the catch into 20 yards and set up McCook’s second touchdown.

Schlager soon scored from three yards away.

Junior Paxton Terry added an earlier eight-yard TD run, and both Trae Koetter PAT kicks put McCook in command quickly at 14-0.

Koetter later kicked 36 and 24-yard field goals to create the 20-0 advantage. A formidable edge considering the Bison had allowed only 20 points once in nine regular-season games.

“I thought we played fantastically. Leading 20-0 after four series has got to be pretty good,” coach Jeff Gross confirmed. “We got a couple of more scores in the second half and cruised from there.”

Defensive lineman Kaleb Taylor and junior linebacker DJ Gross led the Bison (9-1 record) with six tackles each.

Taylor replaced Gross at tight end, slipped behind Viking defenders and made a jumping catch of Berry’s nine-yard pass to start the second half.

Sadly though, Gross remained seated behind McCook’s bench throughout the second half.

Coach Gross reported DJ took a “helmet to helmet” hit when Waverly made one pass interception just before intermission.

A question will likely continue about whether D.J. will play Friday’s state quarterfinal at Class B No. 4 Omaha Skutt Catholic.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Friday in Omaha.

“It was a little tough calling plays and wondering if he was okay. DJ’s never really been hurt before,” coach Gross admitted during his post-game radio interview. “He’ll start protocol and hopefully be cleared for Friday. It’s in the doctor’s hands now.”

Trailing 34-7, Waverly never quit and did tally two late touchdowns to reach the highest point total vs. McCook this season.

The first score was set up on a fumbled punt snap. Waverly’s second score came against Bison reserves.

There were still some late highlights including senior Jake Roberts making one tackle and assisting on another.

The Bison must go through Skutt to record their fifth straight season of reaching state semifinals. McCook likely won’t play at Weiland Field again this season since No. 9 Grand Island Northwest will host No. 1 Gretna Friday night.

Gretna would now have home field for a semifinal with McCook.

“Yup, that’s probably it for the friendly confines,” coach Gross concluded.