Take this for what it’s worth. The Heartland Huskies know who they are.
In our Game-of-the-Week in Central City against Nebraska Christian, the fifth-ranked team in Class D-1 ran the ball 52 times in a 60-28 win over the Eagles.
They passed it three. So much for all that “multiple” garbage we hear about all the time. And, those 52 carries netted — wait for it — 568 yards. I’m not too smart, but the math says that’s a first down every carry. Yes, the Huskies, with all eight starters back from last year’s state playoff team are clicking.
“I thought we came out early and were hitting on all cylinders,” Heartland coach Erik Wetjen said of his team’s 38-0 halftime lead. “Offensively I thought we did a lot of good things tonight. I thought our backs did a good job and I thought our line did a great job.”
The tests will continue for Heartland as they face Blue Hill next week. The Bobcats, in their first year of 8-man, were ranked second in the preseason, but have lost a pair of close games to BDS (30-23 last week) and High Plains (43-40, last night).
We also took a trip to Shickley to see Class D-1, No. 6 BDS play Class D-2, No. 3 Giltner. After a first half that was played at a dizzying pace saw a 36-36 tie the third quarter hit us all in the face.
“It was a just a sweep,” BDS quarterback Grant Norder told me. “Sweep left and sweep right. That’s it.”
The Eagles scored 38 unanswered points in the third quarter — four touchdowns from Riley Tegtmeier on “the sweep” on runs of 43, 8, 45 and 22 yards — and got a 52-yard interception return from Norder as part of his six touchdown effort in an 82-36 win.
Coming off his excellent performance against Blue Hill last week, Norder was even better on Friday. He ran for 179 yards and threw for 183 (on a 10-for-12 effort) and accounted all five of the BDS touchdowns in the first half; two passing and three rushing.
It’s more Crossroads Conference fun for the Eagles this week. They’ll travel to Clarks to play High Plains next Friday. Told of the Storm’s win over Blue Hill last night, BDs co-coach Mark Rotter was not surprised.
“That’s just the CRC,” Rotter said. “A bunch of couldn’t athletes.”
Will you be watching with us?
Let’s Rewind
Last year’s Class A runner-up Omaha Westside finally wins; upsets Millard South.
Norfolk is 3-0 after topping Lincoln Southeast.
After tough start, Millard West gets in win column — sinks Lincoln East.
Islanders stay unbeaten, top Burke 28-6.
Omaha Skutt continues to play like a Class A team; dominating Crete.
McCook comes back; beats Scottsbluff 24-14.
Norfolk Catholic turns back Wahoo Neumann in top-five battle in C-1.
St. Pat’s dominates Southern Valley in battle of C-2 unbeatens.
Parting shot
They were running, too: Oakland-Craig’s Nick Arlt ran for 244 yards last night against Tekemah-Herman to set the school rushing record and Randolph’s Dylan Roberg 283 yards and four touchdowns in the Cards 60-22 win over Bancroft-Rosalie.
