WAVERLY -- From the punt block turned into a touchdown to the rare touchdown pass, Blair could boast it had everything under control.

Blair rolled to a 24-6 victory against Waverly on Friday night before some 2,300 fans at Waverly High in the Class B state football playoffs.

"We had about eight turnovers all year and that's just not something we worried about going into this game," said Waverly coach Mike Johnson. "But they sure were big tonight. We get a punt blocked and have three turnovers deep in their territory, and that said a lot about what decided this game."

Waverly moved up and down the field, almost at will, but lost fumbles at the Blair 5-yard line, the Waverly 27 and the Blair 14, and had a pass intercepted in the end zone.

"We play a 3-5 front on defense and we worried about Waverly's ability to break a 50- or 60-yarder at any time," Blair coach Darren Harsin said. "And we knew they'd get yards. They're a tough offense. But we had to get aggressive, start bringing people and decided it was time to play when they got deep on us.

"We're a bend-but-don't-break defense all year."

Defense and special-teams play were the difference for the Bears, who usually end up talking about junior tailback Ryan Randall after each game. Randall, who has rushed 2,547 yards and 36 touchdowns this year (a 236.4-yard average), picked up 178 yards and a touchdown.

"Our defense played well but we just didn't hold onto the ball and Randall is the real deal, too," Johnson said.

Blair's Jake Schany blew through the middle of the line and blocked Waverly's first punt of the game and teammate Jerad Petersen scooped up the ball and raced 22 yards to score.

Waverly seemed to recover by marching to the Blair 5. But quarterback Tyler Evans lost a fumble to halt the drive. Waverly lost a fumble on its next possession and Randall scored on a 2-yard run.

Waverly missed a field goal and Blair survived a wild drive to the Waverly 19, where Sean Wade kicked a 35-yard field goal as time ran out in the first half to give the Bears a 17-0 lead.

Blair wasn't done. The Bears, who didn't complete a pass a week ago, connected on a 51-yard pass from quarterback Jordon Flynn to Joey Gentzler to give them a 24-0 lead with 4:34 left in the third quarter.

Waverly scored when Evans, a Nebraska recruit, hit Nick Maguire on a 30-yard pass with 3:36 left in the game.

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.