McCook's starters don't see much playing time
Don’t expect to see McCook football players among the statistical leaders in Class B this year.
After scoring 118 points and allowing just six in two games, coach Jeff Gross said the Bison will have impressive team totals but circumstances might make the individual stats a little misleading.
“Our games have been pretty much decided halfway through the first quarter,” Gross said. “We had a running clock in both games the whole second half. In both games, the varsity played just five plays in the second half.”
A new rule calls for a running clock in the second half if a team leads by 35 or more points.
“I wish I knew more. Do I like what I’ve seen? Definitely,” he said. “But I won’t have a 1,000-yard rusher this year. That rule change really affects a lot of things statistically. My guys haven’t played a lot of football. Against Sidney, the varsity starters were out in the second quarter. We led 28-0 both weeks at the end of the first quarter.”
All-stater Matt Berry had three rushes for 40 yards and three touchdowns against Sidney. He was 5-for-8 passing for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter against Alliance.
The top-ranked Bison are not without other talented players. Joining Berry on the all-state team last year were offensive lineman J.D. Stone, defensive lineman Tyrone Sellers and linebacker Chris Schleeman.
“A healthy Dylan Goltl makes a difference as well,” Gross said of the wide receiver who missed last season with a knee injury. “The other night, he had three catches for 83 yards. Tyrone has just two catches for 89 yards, both for touchdowns.”
McCook has relied on a strong running game, but Gross said the Bison will look to the air more with Berry and the strong receiving corps.
“We’re going to throw the ball. Against Alliance, they had eight (defenders) in the box, so we continued to throw the ball until the game was out of hand,” he said. “We still rushed for more than 200 yards.”
The defense has been just as impressive.
“The varsity starting defense gave up 15 yards against Sidney and we allowed 40 for the game,” Gross said. “Against Alliance, we gave up 140-some yards, but when the starters were in, we didn’t give up a first down until the second half.”
The Bison will have a much tougher test this week, playing on the road against No. 6 Aurora, which defeated defending champion Crete in double-overtime the first week, then shut out York 38-0 this past weekend.
“We’ll find out more about our team. Aurora witnessed a full game with the game on the line,” Gross said. “We’re excited to play these guys. Later in the season, we play what I call our West Coast schedule — three weeks in a row, against Gering, Lexington and Holdrege, who all play one-back sets.”
There is more than Nebraska pride on the line for the Bison. McCook is rated No. 10 in the Midwest Region by USA Today.
“It’s kind of cool to be ranked in the region. I’ve been in touch with their rater and he said we’re being considered for their Super 25. But we still have to get it done.”
Berry may not rack up big stats this season, but Fairbury quarterback Lee Horky served notice that he is picking up right where he left off last year.
The senior threw for 278 yards and five touchdowns in the Jeffs’ 35-0 season-opening win against Fillmore Central.
“I don’t care where you’re playing, that’s good,” said Fairbury coach Rod Edson. “It was a good opening game. Lee held up pretty well and we have some pretty good receivers.”
Senior Devin Schmidt had 89 yards receiving, including touchdown catches of 42 and 47 yards, and he also had 70 yards rushing. The other touchdown passes went to Jake Sands (60 yards), Trent Polman (6 yards) and Mitchell Husa (14 yards).
“Schmidt and Horky had experience and our offensive line had some experience back and they did a good job,” Edson said. “We did have a bunch of guys with experience, but we will have to build from there.”
Fairbury moved from Class B to Class C-1 this year and Edson said he thinks the change will be good for the team.
“In Class B, most of the time we’d be outnumbered, and this year we’ll have as many (players) as our opponent,” he said. “We had 21 guys play defense for us and it wasn’t all late in the game. We’re trying to build some depth that will make us good in the playoffs. We’ll play some younger guys and hopefully, they get some experience.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
After scoring 118 points and allowing just six in two games, coach Jeff Gross said the Bison will have impressive team totals but circumstances might make the individual stats a little misleading.
“Our games have been pretty much decided halfway through the first quarter,” Gross said. “We had a running clock in both games the whole second half. In both games, the varsity played just five plays in the second half.”
A new rule calls for a running clock in the second half if a team leads by 35 or more points.
“I wish I knew more. Do I like what I’ve seen? Definitely,” he said. “But I won’t have a 1,000-yard rusher this year. That rule change really affects a lot of things statistically. My guys haven’t played a lot of football. Against Sidney, the varsity starters were out in the second quarter. We led 28-0 both weeks at the end of the first quarter.”
All-stater Matt Berry had three rushes for 40 yards and three touchdowns against Sidney. He was 5-for-8 passing for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter against Alliance.
The top-ranked Bison are not without other talented players. Joining Berry on the all-state team last year were offensive lineman J.D. Stone, defensive lineman Tyrone Sellers and linebacker Chris Schleeman.
“A healthy Dylan Goltl makes a difference as well,” Gross said of the wide receiver who missed last season with a knee injury. “The other night, he had three catches for 83 yards. Tyrone has just two catches for 89 yards, both for touchdowns.”
McCook has relied on a strong running game, but Gross said the Bison will look to the air more with Berry and the strong receiving corps.
“We’re going to throw the ball. Against Alliance, they had eight (defenders) in the box, so we continued to throw the ball until the game was out of hand,” he said. “We still rushed for more than 200 yards.”
The defense has been just as impressive.
“The varsity starting defense gave up 15 yards against Sidney and we allowed 40 for the game,” Gross said. “Against Alliance, we gave up 140-some yards, but when the starters were in, we didn’t give up a first down until the second half.”
The Bison will have a much tougher test this week, playing on the road against No. 6 Aurora, which defeated defending champion Crete in double-overtime the first week, then shut out York 38-0 this past weekend.
“We’ll find out more about our team. Aurora witnessed a full game with the game on the line,” Gross said. “We’re excited to play these guys. Later in the season, we play what I call our West Coast schedule — three weeks in a row, against Gering, Lexington and Holdrege, who all play one-back sets.”
There is more than Nebraska pride on the line for the Bison. McCook is rated No. 10 in the Midwest Region by USA Today.
“It’s kind of cool to be ranked in the region. I’ve been in touch with their rater and he said we’re being considered for their Super 25. But we still have to get it done.”
Berry may not rack up big stats this season, but Fairbury quarterback Lee Horky served notice that he is picking up right where he left off last year.
The senior threw for 278 yards and five touchdowns in the Jeffs’ 35-0 season-opening win against Fillmore Central.
“I don’t care where you’re playing, that’s good,” said Fairbury coach Rod Edson. “It was a good opening game. Lee held up pretty well and we have some pretty good receivers.”
Senior Devin Schmidt had 89 yards receiving, including touchdown catches of 42 and 47 yards, and he also had 70 yards rushing. The other touchdown passes went to Jake Sands (60 yards), Trent Polman (6 yards) and Mitchell Husa (14 yards).
“Schmidt and Horky had experience and our offensive line had some experience back and they did a good job,” Edson said. “We did have a bunch of guys with experience, but we will have to build from there.”
Fairbury moved from Class B to Class C-1 this year and Edson said he thinks the change will be good for the team.
“In Class B, most of the time we’d be outnumbered, and this year we’ll have as many (players) as our opponent,” he said. “We had 21 guys play defense for us and it wasn’t all late in the game. We’re trying to build some depth that will make us good in the playoffs. We’ll play some younger guys and hopefully, they get some experience.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
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