Bison will be hunting Tigers as Class B playoffs begin

HASTINGS, Neb. — Yes, it’s Hastings vs. McCook again though no Tiger will be able to pose in celebration around the Weiland Field historic scoreboard Friday evening.

The teams meet at Hastings College this week with both bringing solid 6-3 records.

Of course, no Bison fan should forget how Hastings scored a 38-23 win over the host Bison just four weeks ago.

The good news? Senior top lineman Quentin Terry and junior top receiver Miles Pollmann are both healthily back in McCook’s starting lineup.

M.P. still caught a touchdown pass with his one hand bandaged during that Oct. 4 matchup.

Sophomore fullback Lee Davidson adds another dimension not seen much one month ago. He just rumbled for 152 yards on only eight carries in the regular-season finale against Lexington — a 52-0 Bison victory.

The bad news?

Hastings quarterback Tucker Synek and the Tigers are just as good — if not better — than that previous showdown.

The Tigers fell 41-6 at Scottsbluff one week later but have recovered for two more strong wins capping their regular season.

Bison coach Joe Vetrovsky offered these remarks about the Class B “Sweet 16” first-round state contest: “Hastings is a solid team and their record shows that. We are very familiar with them given we played them Week 6.

Their QB Tucker Synek is the real deal. We are going to have to do a much better job this time around in not letting him settle in and find rhythm in the passing game.

Easier said than done. Our offense must take advantage of every time we get the football.

We also have to clean up some things in the special teams department that hindered us in our first meeting.”

Some McCook fans might not remember two special-teams pivotal plays led to Tiger touchdowns.

Hastings pulled a super first-half fake punt, then “shanked” the next kickoff a Bison blocker.

The Tigers pounced on that loose football and soon drove to another score.

Of course, don’t forget Hastings totaled 452 offensive yards with Synek throwing for more than 300.

“This game will be all about matchups, execution, and taking care of the football,” Vetrovsky concluded.

Friday’s winner will meet whoever triumphs between No. 1 Bennington and No. 16 Grand Island Northwest.

The Class B quarterfinal takes place on Friday, Nov. 8 at highest remaining seed.

Editor’s note: Tuesday’s Gazette a McCook road win would earn next week’s home playoff game at Weiland Field against Bennington.

That information was incorrect as Vetrovsky confirmed Wednesday morning.

McCook would travel to No. 1 Bennington just like the previous Bison Class B playoff experience in 2021.

“The higher seed always hosts,” Vetrovsky said.