Class C-2 thoughts

[sakhusker]

I won't comment on the game I'm the closest, too. It's just not worth it. (Others feel free if you can be civil and not personal) Here are my thoughts on the rest of the bracket:

I see Sutton/Hartington CC and as the most intriguing first round matchup. HCC is probably a lot better than a typical 11 seed. And it's a SE vs NE matchup with no common opponents to help handicap. Sutton has been unstoppable but is HCC the best defense they will have faced?

Malcolm/Bergen should be a great game, too. But then they get to face Battle Creek in round two. Not a pleasant reward. I will lean toward Malcolm in this one. Lots of team speed... their best player doesn't even play defense and they still swarm to the ball very, very well. This should be a low scoring game likely decided by turnovers. A FG might win it...

I think the other top seeds will win fairly easily in first round. Aquinas and HSC would be a great 2nd round matchup and the winner gets a shot at Battle Creek in round 3.

NPSP has not really played anyone but I am sure they have a very good team. There only close game was a 8 point win against D-T who could not make it out of a very tough district to defend their title this year. So, that tells me NPSP may not be a dominant force as a 2 seed. I think this side of the bracket is anybody's to win and will be some great football games leading up to the title game between these teams.

Other thoughts?

 

[Warrior10]

I have question marks with NPSP as well. If Lutheran High Northeast would have got the #15 seed instead of the #16, I would have been tempted to call the upset. Southern Valley on the other hand already got whipped by them, but it'll be interesting to see if NPSP gets out of the second round.

On a side note, I really like the 16 team playoff.

 

[Football2002]

Replying to the 16 team playoff - i don't like it. 6-3 should get in - there were 4 of those teams.

However, with a 32 team playoff, there would have been five 3-6 teams that would have gotten in. I don't like that either.

4@6-3
4@5-4
3@4-5
5@3-6

This year, the 24 team playoff format would have been ok with the top 8 seeds all getting 1st round byes. Kind of a yearly thing I guess - don't know the best system for everybody.

 

[spike17]

Batlle Creek vs Lutheran High
I think this game will be closer then most people think! I think size of Battle Creek and just to much talent for Lutheran High
to handle. I think Battle Creek wins 35 to 21!

Malcom vs. Bergan -Bergan wins [/B]
This will be a game that will probably come down who doesn't turnover the football. I think both these teams matchup pretty evenly. I am going to say Bergan pulls out the win late in the 4th quarter Began wins 17 to 10

Aquinas vs Gibbon
I think this might be the biggest blowout in the 1st round of games. Aquinas physical line on offense and defense and Gibbon will not be able to defend Aquinas double wing offense. Aquinas 42 -7


HSC vs Southern
Coach Carl Tesmer will have HSC ready to roll in the playoffs. This will probably not be much of a game either I think HSC is just to good for Soutern. HSC rolls 35 to 0

Freeman vs Stanton
This will be a game to watch I think we could see the Mustangs pull the upset over Freeman. Stanton also runs a double wing offense that very hard to defend. The Mustang offensive line is very physical and will be ready to play. I will admit don't know much about Freeman but I am going to go with the upset Stanton over Freeman 21 to 14


HCC vs Sutton
This will probably be one of the best games in the 1st of C-2. HCC has only lost to Battle Creek and Aquinas. The question will be can HCC contain Sutton running he is horse and hard physical runner probably one of the best in C-2 I am going to say Sutton win 14-7 in physical defensive battle football game


Fillmore Centrai vs Oakland Craig
I don't know much about either of these two teams. From I understand Fillmore has some very talented skill positions players. Oakland Craig has only one loss on the year to Battle Creek, I know they have a stud RB in Arlt but they have been hit with injury bug with the QB WR and players on the line who are out for the season I believe. I am gonna say Fillmore Central wins 24 to 14

NPSP vs Southern Valley
I don't know anything about either of these teams I am going to say NPSP rolls 42 to 14!

 

[bigredhoops]

Second round
BC v. Bergan BC will roll into semis.
St. Cecilia v. DCA Great second round matchup. St. Cecilia will host, but does that really mean much in football. Too much late season experience. Aquanis. Tight one.

Stanton v Sutton/HCC Toughest foursome to pick in the first round. Stanton is a guess. Seen both Sutton and Cedar play and they both are excellent teams. Sutton in a squeaker.

OC vs. NPSP These games will be close in the first round too but see these two coming out on top. NPSP likes this time of the year.

Semis
BC at DCA
Sutton and NPSP


Final
BC over Sutton

 

[sakhusker]

Glad to have 2 different perspectives which appear to be from other parts of the state. Just curious Spike... why do you think that the BC LNE game will be closer than people think? They just played Friday and Battle Creek won 35-0 and I heard from several different people that BC sat several of their starters much of the game. Was this report inaccurate? What about that game is not accurately reflected in the score? I know it was only 7-0 at half. How did the second half get away from LNE?

 

[sakhusker]

Also need to know what I'm missing about Stanton. Stanton 21-Tekamah 20, Yutan 33-Tekamah 6, Freeman 32- Yutan 15. To me, that adds up to a win for Freeman, but score comparison doesn't always tell the story....

 

[spike17]

The Stanton football team has had alot of football tradition the last years years making some noise in the Playoffs. They haven't made much noise lately but I have feeling this could be the year they advanced to the Quarterfinals. I don't know if Freeman has had to go up against a double wing offense this year. If you are not use to defending it, it can be very hard to defend as Stanton has about three to four different backs that get the football and they are very physical. I could be totally wrong maybe Freeman will blow them out we will wait and see.

The BC vs LH game I just think is hard to beat a team two weeks in row. Lutheran High had high expectations coming into this season and have underachieved. Lutheran has a lot of talent on this team they just have to find a way to put it all together. I also think Battle Creek might overlook them a little bit since they just beat them last week. We will wait see what happens that's what is fun about Fball Playoffs you never know what might happen.

Sakhusker why wont you give your thoughts on the FC vs OC game? Would like to get your opinion?

 

[LooseCannon]

Battle Creek over LHNE: They beat them last week by 35, they will beat them this week again by 21.

Bergan over Malcolm: Bergan comes out of this one, too much firepower on offense.

Aquinas over Gibbon: Will not be close. Aquinas rolls to an easy first round win.

St. Cecilia over Southern: Can't be against Tesmer very often. They are ready to roll and will be ready for Aquinas.

Freeman over Stanton: Freeman at home, Stanton struggled against bad teams like Wisner-Pilger and Tekamah-Herman, Freeman wins by 14.

Sutton over HCC: This game will be closer than expected, but Sutton and their RB get the job done. Cedar is a hell of a team, only losing to Aquinas on the road 0-7.

Oakland-Craig over Fillmore Central: OC has been here before, they know what it takes to make playoff runs and they are at home. OC wins by 10.

North Platte St. Pat's over Southern Valley: SV had to play the game of their life against D-T, I just think they are going to be emotionally drained after their big win last week. NPSP wins at home, and goes to 10-0.

 

[BigBlue70]

Battle Creek wins big for the second week in a row.

Bergan wins and I don't think it will be close.

Aquanis and HSC both win easily.

Freeman might be tested early but will pull away late and win by 14 or more.

Sutton wins in a defensive, grind it out game by 10 or less.

Against my better judgement, I am picking FC pull the upset over Oakland-Craig.

St. Pats cruises by Southern Valley again.

 

[sakhusker]

Spike... I'm too close to the situation in that game to make a prediction without it coming back to bite me. I also don't really know much about OC. I've watched them on film and they have a really good running back but it's just hard to tell what type of competition they've faced other than BC (lopsided outcome much like FC vs HSC) and Bergen which was a great win for them but came in week one on (allegedly) a sloppy field which slowed both offenses down. I feel like I could make a better judgment on them if I had seen film of one of those two games. FC's 3 toughest games were a tough loss in week one to Freeman with a top player sidelined, a blow out loss to HSC (horrible performance) and an emotional, hard fought win against Malcolm. I feel like both teams may have depth problems and late in the season lots of teams are dealing with injuries. So, that is likely a factor. I think FC might be better balanced on offense, but also less experienced with playoff situations. I think it will be a close game. I do think that the winner will be in great position to possibly upset NPSP, but I'll save that discussion for the round two forum next week.

 

[LooseCannon]

Originally posted by sakhusker:
Spike... I'm too close to the situation in that game to make a prediction without it coming back to bite me. I also don't really know much about OC. I've watched them on film and they have a really good running back but it's just hard to tell what type of competition they've faced other than BC (lopsided outcome much like FC vs HSC) and Bergen which was a great win for them but came in week one on (allegedly) a sloppy field which slowed both offenses down. I feel like I could make a better judgment on them if I had seen film of one of those two games. FC's 3 toughest games were a tough loss in week one to Freeman with a top player sidelined, a blow out loss to HSC (horrible performance) and an emotional, hard fought win against Malcolm. I feel like both teams may have depth problems and late in the season lots of teams are dealing with injuries. So, that is likely a factor. I think FC might be better balanced on offense, but also less experienced with playoff situations. I think it will be a close game. I do think that the winner will be in great position to possibly upset NPSP, but I'll save that discussion for the round two forum next week.

Fillmore and Oakland-Craig have similar schedules.


Fillmore Central big games:
Loss against St. Cecilia
Loss against Freeman
Win against Malcolm

Oakland-Craig big games:
Loss to Battle Creek (Comparable, but in my opinion not as good as Battle Creek)
Win against Stanton (Comparable to Freeman, but Freeman is just a pinch better)
Win against Bergan (Comparable to Malcolm, but I think Bergan beats Malcolm)

Both teams beat the bad teams on their schedules pretty significantly, I think this a pretty even matchup. Also to note, O-C has not lost since week 2, Fillmore has not lost since week 3.

I think this game is close, but with Oakland being at home, being the playoffs before, their coach has a state title, and the players understanding how to win in big time games, they win this game by 10.

 

[RuhRohRaggy2]

Battle Creek over LHNE: blowout 42-6

Malcolm over Bergan: I think Malcolm's loss to FC was a wake up call and will win a close one 21-20.

Aquinas over Gibbon: blowout 50-12

St Cecilia over Southern: 35-14

Freeman over Stanton: 18-16

Sutton over HCC: 30-20

O-C over FC: 27-20

NPSP over SV: blowout 49-6


Round 2

Battle Creek over Malcolm

Aquinas over St Cecilia

Sutton over Freeman

NPSP over O-C

Round 3

Battle Creek over Aquinas

Sutton over NPSP

Finals

Battle Creek over Sutton

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

I did hear that OC has some injuries ??

 

[hailvictors2]

Some of these comments are pretty ridiculous. Comparing scores to make a guess at how another game will go is insane.... GICC beat Kearney Catholic a few weeks back, but GICC lost to Broken Bow and Broken Bow lost to Valentine....so Valentine would beat Kearney Catholic? Get real. I'm excited for the first round to get under way. I feel like there are some teams that earned their way it and are now being disrespected.

 

[huskrz_rivals292227]

Originally posted by spike17:
Batlle Creek vs Lutheran High
I think this game will be closer then most people think! I think size of Battle Creek and just to much talent for Lutheran High
to handle. I think Battle Creek wins 35 to 21!

Highly doubt LH can drop 3 TD's on BC after having been shut out last week.

 

[Hskr23]

Lutheran High Northeast 14 at Battle Creek 52 To big and physical for LHNE
Malcolm 17 at Fremont Bergan 21 This looks to be one of the closest games in the first round
Gibbon 7 at David City Aquinas 66 Viewing will begin around 6:00pm with services to follow at 7:00pm at DCA High School
Southern 0 at Hastings St. Cecilia 55 STC has the D that will provide this class with a shutout

Stanton 21 at Freeman 24 Another North v South matchup in this class this time North falls short
Hartington Cedar Catholic 14 at Sutton .35-Noah Johnson
Fillmore Central 12 at Oakland-Craig 38 I don't think FC cant match OC's physicallity. FC skill players will keep em in it early but to much strength up front for OC
Southern Valley 14 at North Platte St. Patrick's 31 Southern Valley will try to get revenge in a game they were shutout earlier in the season Southern Valley is getting better but unfortunatley so is NPSP

 

[4norsemen]

Enjoy the knowledge and passion of the Class C-1,C-2, and Class D , Eight man fans come Oct. & Nov. Tough, but fun to read comments for a Class A follower.
We were in Ft Calhoun Sunday and it was fun talking with folks about their game at Cozad.

 

[sakhusker]

Northeast... I definitely tend to agree with you and was going to paint the similarity between FC's and OC's schedules but just really don't know that much about those teams in the NE. I also agree as stated that the OC coaching staff has a lot of playoff experience, but the FC coaching staff has transformed FC into a playoff team, just 2 years after winning 3 games in two years. What they lack in championship game experience, they more than make up for with motivation and hard work. They lost their QB and RB in the Tri-County and the offense was left with kids playing out of position and learning on the fly. That 2nd half was maybe more impressive than winning the Malcolm game, which was also some great 4th quarter coaching. On film, OC appears to be somewhat one dimensional but I've only seen two of their games, so can't tell for sure. I think we will match up OK with them. It's just a matter of who can make plays and who creates turnovers... like most close games... which I think this will be.

Nut... I've heard a few rumors about injuries, too... but they appeared to have everybody healthy against Wisner last week from what I could tell.

Both teams got beat up against the top 5 team that they played, won close ones against the teams next in line on their schedule and handled the lesser teams on their schedule fairly easily. The exception being FC lost to Freeman and OC handled Stanton, although I think Freeman is more than just a pinch better than Stanton, maybe 10-14 points. So now it's time to see who can do it when it counts. Should be one of the better first round games.

This post was edited on 10/29 9:12 AM by sakhusker

This post was edited on 10/29 11:18 AM by sakhusker

 

[sakhusker]

Hskr23... I don't see any physicality mismatch watching OC on film. They are athletic and have a really good back. But they won't over power FC. I see it as more a matter of containing his tendency to bounce out to the perimeter and either make it to the edge or break a tackle. They scored almost all their points against Wisner on big plays by Arlt. No really long drives. I really doubt that either team is going to score in the 30s in this game, unless of course there are turnovers. FC has had one lost fumble (muffed punt actually) all year and thrown one INT since week one.

I tend to agree with all your other picks, although I think injuries may hurt Bergen and I lean toward Malcolm in that game. I think Sutton-HCC will be closer and Freeman-Stanton a little larger margin.
This post was edited on 10/28 7:53 PM by sakhusker

 

[sakhusker]

Hailvictors... I agree that score comparisons can be misleading. Injuries, weather conditions... matchup problems... running up the score vs letting the younger players play 2nd half... or just plain having a bad night... all of these things can cause a score to be misleading. But I don't think comparing scores is ridiculous. How else can you try to analyze teams that have never played before that you've never seen play? If there's things that scores don't reveal, that's what I see as the purpose of message boards. To share information and opinions. Who do you feel is being disrespected? Others (including me) would likely be interested in your opinion but don't just slam others for something and then not elaborate on why you disagree.

 

[Hskr23]

That is a pretty amazing stat on turn overs 2 giveaways in a 9 game season is efficiency!! Agree to disagree on the picks as I have no horse in the race but still a follower of NE HS football! Should be a fun playoff!

 

[sakhusker]

Only 2 turnovers after week one... unfortunately FC threw 4 INTs against Freeman in week one on a wet field with receivers having footing issues and 2 were pick 6s... basically the difference in that game.

 

[spike17]

I am just excited for Friday it is gonna be fun to watch how these games play out. I am most likely going to go and watch Bergan vs Malcom or FC vs. OC. I am trying to decide which one to go to.

 

[sakhusker]

just average... can't argue with those teams. And no doubt Arlt is a talented, physical runner with above average speed, as well. He will be difficult to contain. I guess I took "physicality" to mean a bigger, stronger team in the trenches that would dominate the other team. We have good skilled players but we also have a couple beasts in the middle that both bench right at 400 lbs. It will be a great game. I'm getting excited for Friday just typing this.

 

[spike17]

Here are Stu picks from the Omaha World Herald for each class

http://www.neprepzone.com/sports/pospisil-familiar-faces-headline-class-a-playoffs/article_8d86f7a0-3820-5a6d-9b04-aab807ca903f.html

 

[bridgeson]

i will agree with SAK on assesment of Fillmore Strengths having experienced it on the losing end from Malcolm perspective. Their skill players are nice with contibutors all around, QB, TB, FB, Z, WB, but the STRENGTH of their team is OL & DL. Possibly AS physical up front as Malcolm has seen in past 3 seasons which includes 3 Aquinas Games and 2 Sutton games. I expect, (but do not KNOW) that OC has similar strength which makes this game intriguing. If game is played between tackles from both sides i would expect a CLOSE affair.

 

[sakhusker]

Well put bridgeson.... FC's QB has been sacked 4 times all season and sacked the opponents 30 times... those #s pretty much stand for themselves.

This post was edited on 10/29 1:09 PM by sakhusker

 

[BigRedBacker]

Last year D-T was the 'class of the class' and just plain better than everyone else.

This year...Battle Creek is that team. All the rest of this chatter is just window dressing, post title should read, Who's going to get the silver medal in C-2 this year?

The title is theirs to have. If they are to lose, the only team that beats BC is going to be....BC.

Don't see it happening.

 

[BigBlue70]

Big Red you are probably right, but the game is played on the field not on paper. If you make the playoffs then you have an equal shot to win it all.

 

[Maps]

Originally posted by BigRedBacker:

Last year D-T was the 'class of the class' and just plain better than everyone else.

This year...Battle Creek is that team. All the rest of this chatter is just window dressing, post title should read, Who's going to get the silver medal in C-2 this year?

The title is theirs to have. If they are to lose, the only team that beats BC is going to be....BC.

Don't see it happening.

That's an odd way to spell Aquinas

 

[Lucky76]

No reason to boast or brag seriously.

Congrats to Battle Creek on a great season and good luck to Aquinas next weekend

 

[fairmontnation]

Aquinas over BC. That my friends is why they play the games. Congrats to BC on a fine season. The Aquinas seniors have not missed a final in their career. Also congrats to HCC the most underrated 11 seed in the history of NSAA playoffs.

 

[SPbObRT]

this will be a hellva matchup a run first no throw squad, via a pass /run team with good athletes. should be a very interesting final . lookin forward to it.