In McCook, the stampede is on
Coaches never like to compare their teams, particularly at midseason. But at this point in the season, with McCook cruising at 6-0 and winning by an average score of 54.7-4.5, it raises the question of how this Bison team compares with McCook teams in recent years.
The bar is set pretty high. McCook won Class B state championships in 2002 and 2003, and was the runner-up in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Two coaches, who happily have McCook in their rear-view mirror, praised the Bison. Dick Scott’s Sidney team lost to the Bison in the season opener, 67-0, and Derek Deaver’s Scottsbluff squad fell to McCook 42-7 three weeks ago.
“Teamwise, this probably is one of the best McCook teams,” said Scott. “They may have had better kids in some positions some years. But they’re strong every place this year. Their kicking game is good, their special teams are good, the offense is efficient and the defense is solid.
“There’s not any place they’re weak at, and believe me, we looked.”
Deaver agreed.
“They’ve had so many really good teams. It’s hard to compare, but I think this is one of their best,” he said. “It’s because of their athleticism everywhere. I can hardly see their weakness, if it’s there at all.
“And, they are very well-coached. They don’t make many assignment mistakes, and doing the right things and going to the right spots makes up for a lot.”
There’s still plenty of season left, and McCook faces 5-1 Lexington this week and currently undefeated Ogallala in its final regular-season game.
But so far, none of the competition has provided much of a game.
“They come west to play most of their schedule. We’re not very strong out here the last few years,” said Scott. “They could put 40 points on any team they wanted out here by halftime. So his kids don’t get the experience of playing their caliber or tougher.
“The bottom line is, if you don’t play someone better than you every now and then, you don’t get any better.”
That is one worry for McCook coach Jeff Gross.
“We haven’t had much of a fight. But we haven’t played a bunch of bad opponents,” said Gross. “We beat Gering, which was 4-1, and Aurora is now 5-1.
“But we had a lot to do with those games getting out of control. We’re playing hard, with no letdown. The kids are executing and keeping their focus.”
The Bison are averaging 450 yards on offense, but individual statistics are a little harder to pad when the starters are playing barely more than two quarters.
“Matt Berry has 41 rushes and he’s averaging 11 yards a carry. We almost have to be careful when we call Matt’s number,” said Gross. “Last week, he ran five plays in the first quarter and had four touchdowns.
“I think Chris Schleeman is one of the best linebackers in the state and he has just 23 solo tackles because he hasn’t played in the second half. Tyrone Sellers has five catches and three are for touchdowns. Before you even get to use that weapon, the games are out of hand.”
Part of the reason for McCook’s dominance is the offensive line, which returned four starters. Back are tackles Tyler Brown and Seth Schaeffer, guard Jake Curl and center Joe Vetrovsky. Taylor Garcia, who is the other guard, was a defensive starter. And in the ground-oriented offense, tight ends Sellers and Aaron Ruppert are experienced as run blockers.
“They’re pretty solid. It’s probably the best offensive line, from left to right, that we’ve had,” said Gross. “I wouldn’t say we have a glaring weakness. The ’02 team, which some think was the best Class B team ever, you could maybe point to a spot where we weren’t as strong.
“But, they have to prove it.”
The 2002 team went undefeated and had first-team Super-State running back Stuart Frazier and kicker Trent Lyons, along with Class B all-state quarterback Krae Dutoit, defensive lineman Nate Reicks and defensive back Ben Klug.
“I don’t know if we have the team chemistry we had back then,” Gross said. “That’s tough to compare until the season is over.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
The bar is set pretty high. McCook won Class B state championships in 2002 and 2003, and was the runner-up in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Two coaches, who happily have McCook in their rear-view mirror, praised the Bison. Dick Scott’s Sidney team lost to the Bison in the season opener, 67-0, and Derek Deaver’s Scottsbluff squad fell to McCook 42-7 three weeks ago.
“Teamwise, this probably is one of the best McCook teams,” said Scott. “They may have had better kids in some positions some years. But they’re strong every place this year. Their kicking game is good, their special teams are good, the offense is efficient and the defense is solid.
“There’s not any place they’re weak at, and believe me, we looked.”
Deaver agreed.
“They’ve had so many really good teams. It’s hard to compare, but I think this is one of their best,” he said. “It’s because of their athleticism everywhere. I can hardly see their weakness, if it’s there at all.
“And, they are very well-coached. They don’t make many assignment mistakes, and doing the right things and going to the right spots makes up for a lot.”
There’s still plenty of season left, and McCook faces 5-1 Lexington this week and currently undefeated Ogallala in its final regular-season game.
But so far, none of the competition has provided much of a game.
“They come west to play most of their schedule. We’re not very strong out here the last few years,” said Scott. “They could put 40 points on any team they wanted out here by halftime. So his kids don’t get the experience of playing their caliber or tougher.
“The bottom line is, if you don’t play someone better than you every now and then, you don’t get any better.”
That is one worry for McCook coach Jeff Gross.
“We haven’t had much of a fight. But we haven’t played a bunch of bad opponents,” said Gross. “We beat Gering, which was 4-1, and Aurora is now 5-1.
“But we had a lot to do with those games getting out of control. We’re playing hard, with no letdown. The kids are executing and keeping their focus.”
The Bison are averaging 450 yards on offense, but individual statistics are a little harder to pad when the starters are playing barely more than two quarters.
“Matt Berry has 41 rushes and he’s averaging 11 yards a carry. We almost have to be careful when we call Matt’s number,” said Gross. “Last week, he ran five plays in the first quarter and had four touchdowns.
“I think Chris Schleeman is one of the best linebackers in the state and he has just 23 solo tackles because he hasn’t played in the second half. Tyrone Sellers has five catches and three are for touchdowns. Before you even get to use that weapon, the games are out of hand.”
Part of the reason for McCook’s dominance is the offensive line, which returned four starters. Back are tackles Tyler Brown and Seth Schaeffer, guard Jake Curl and center Joe Vetrovsky. Taylor Garcia, who is the other guard, was a defensive starter. And in the ground-oriented offense, tight ends Sellers and Aaron Ruppert are experienced as run blockers.
“They’re pretty solid. It’s probably the best offensive line, from left to right, that we’ve had,” said Gross. “I wouldn’t say we have a glaring weakness. The ’02 team, which some think was the best Class B team ever, you could maybe point to a spot where we weren’t as strong.
“But, they have to prove it.”
The 2002 team went undefeated and had first-team Super-State running back Stuart Frazier and kicker Trent Lyons, along with Class B all-state quarterback Krae Dutoit, defensive lineman Nate Reicks and defensive back Ben Klug.
“I don’t know if we have the team chemistry we had back then,” Gross said. “That’s tough to compare until the season is over.”
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.
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