In McCook, the stampede is on
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By RYLY JANE HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star
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.
McCook has rolled to six straight wins, outscoring opponents by a combined 328-27. The Bison’s schedule:
Aug. 29 at Sidney (2-4) 67-0
Sept. 5 Alliance (1-5) 51-6
Sept. 12 at Aurora (5-1) 42-7
Sept. 19 Scottsbluff (2-4) 42-7
Sept. 26 Hastings (1-5) 64-0
Oct. 3 at Gering (4-2) 62-7
Friday Lexington (5-1)
Oct. 17 at Holdrege (5-1)
Oct. 24 at Ogallala (6-0)
Extra Credit
- Seth Houdersheldt, Shelby: rushed 35 times for 204 yards in a win over McCool Junction.
- Ryan Schroer, Lawrence-Nelson: was 15-for-24 passing for 222 yards and added 85 yards rushing.
- John Duis, Diller-Odell: rushed 18 times for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Cole Stoltenberg, Stuart: racked up 394 yards rushing and receiving while scoring 8 touchdowns.
- Brett Kaczor, Ewing: passed for 120 yards, rushed for 111 and had 15 tackles.
- Austin Pomajzl and Ethan Stutzman, Northwest: Pomajzl had 115 yards rushing, 207 yards passing and 10 return yards for more than 320 all-purpose yards; Stutzman caught 10 passes for 143 yards and on defense had 7 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
- Nathan Sousek, Prague: was 19-for-26 passing for 249 yards and 7 touchdowns, and also rushed for 45 yards and a score.
- Charlie Krueger, Omaha Creighton Prep: had 8 unassisted tackles, 4 assists and 1 interception in a win over Millard South.
- Jordan Jacupke, Hastings St. Cecilia: was 5-for-5 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown.
- Ryan Behmer, Adams Central: rushed for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns.
- Rylan Cotton, Lincoln Southwest: rushed for 148 yards and passed for 209 yards on just 6 completions.
- Curtis Danek, Lincoln Pius X: rushed 33 times for 164 yards and the winning touchdown.
- Michael Burrus, Papillion-La Vista South: rushed for 205 yards and 5 touchdowns.
- Trevor Florendo, Crete: rushed 19 times for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Barrett Shainholtz and Christian Dudzik, Omaha Skutt: Shainholtz kicked a 21-yard field goal to force overtime and then nailed a 24-yarder for the win; Dudzik rushed for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Adam Smith and Aaron Conner, Nebraska City: Smith caught a 34-yard pass from Travis Peterson as time expired and Conner ran in the two-point conversion to give the Pioneers their first win over the season, 21-20 over Mount Michael.
- Jon Luetchens, Elmwood-Murdock: rushed for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, and passed for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Clint Belina, Howells: had 156 yards rushing on 11 carries and scored 3 touchdowns.
- Jared Curry, Ponca: ran 31 times for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Pat Campbell, Stanton: rushed 15 times for 165 yards to help the Mustangs rush for 410 yards.
- Brady Cross, Banner County: rushed 12 times for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns, and had 21 tackles.
- Kayle Barnes, Elwood: Rushed 32 times for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“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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diddy-do wrote on October 9, 2008 9:26 am:
Darren wrote on October 9, 2008 9:50 am:
schedule wrote on October 9, 2008 10:39 am:
bison wrote on October 9, 2008 10:43 am:
big deal wrote on October 9, 2008 11:57 am:
movis wrote on October 9, 2008 9:13 pm:
"big deal" Unfortunatly you wont find any humility when you visit Weiland Field in McCook.I personally am embarrased by the pre-game Hype.The giant helmet and fog the players run through when they come on the field. The fireworks after every score. The Motorcycle escort the team gets for its 8 block trip from the school to the field.
But please just keep one thing in mind. The Players have nothing to do with "Hype" that I just descibed. The Players deserve respect,easy schedule or hard schedule, win or lose, no matter what team you play for. "
JB wrote on October 10, 2008 10:25 am:
Me wrote on October 10, 2008 11:18 am: