Fascinating matchups across the bracket here. Class B is, probably, a little more open than the last three seasons when Bennington cruised through the playoffs to three straight titles. The Badgers are right there again, but plenty of worthy challengers remain.
Game of the week
(Note: Journal Star rankings are used instead of playoff seeds. All times CST.)
No. 3 Elkhorn North (8-2) at No. 5 Scottsbluff (9-1), 8 p.m.
Scottsbluff once again has a squad, and the Bearcats get to play at home against a state title contender. Scottsbluff should probably be put in the same category as Elkhorn North, Bennington, Omaha Skutt, and Seward, after punishing Gretna for 495 rushing yards last week in a 55-27 win that was never close. The Wolves, though, are a different animal with losses only to Elkhorn (avenged in the playoffs), and Bennington. The winner of this one likely gets the Badgers in the semifinals. Either one would be a worthy foe.
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Quarterfinal matchups
* McCook (7-3) at No. 2 Bennington (9-1), 6 p.m.
* No. 3 Elkhorn North (8-2) at No. 5 Scottsbluff (9-1), 8 p.m.
* No. 6 Waverly (8-2) at No. 1 Omaha Skutt (9-1), 7 p.m.
* No. 8 Gretna East (6-4) at No. 4 Seward (10-0), 7 p.m.
Players to watch
Nate Kelley, Scottsbluff:Â One of the state's best basketball players is a pretty good quarterback, too. Kelley has run for 1,186 yards and 23 touchdowns in a smashmouth Scottsbluff offense that averages 328 rushing yards per game. When the Bearcats do throw it, Kelley is completing 68% of his passes for 691 yards and 10 scores with two interceptions.Â
Tristan Campbell, McCook:Â Class B's second leading rusher was at his best last week, toting the rock 31 times for 245 yards and four touchdowns as the Bison avenged a regular-season loss to knock Hastings out of the playoffs. Campbell has run for 1,339 yards and 15 scores in 2024, scoring 15 touchdowns. And he seems to get better the more carries he gets. In the three games he's gotten 25 or more touches, Campbell has 254, 259 and 245 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Nathan Axmann, Waverly:Â Axmann's carries the last three games: 37, 30, 42. Axmann's yards the last three games: 202, 244, 208. Those numbers are against good competition too, with two games against Norris and another against Lincoln Pius X. Now it's old friend Omaha Skutt, which has ended Waverly's season in the state semifinals three times in the last six years. With Friday's forecast calling for cool, rainy weather, Axmann figures to carry the load again.
Tresten Hass, Seward:Â In a deep group of Class B quarterbacks, Hass is among the best. The junior has thrown for 2,077 yards for the unbeaten Bluejays, completing 68% of his passes for 21 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He's good with his legs too, running for 448 yards and four more scores. You want to win in the playoffs? You need a good QB. Seward has one in Hass.
Photos: Norris, Waverly meet in Class B playoffs showdown — Nov. 1
Waverly's Keaton Bowker (14) celebrates after Norris fumble the ball while attempting to score a field goal of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
The Waverly sideline reacts after regaining possesion of the ball in the final minute of their Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Nathan Axmann (27) runs in the ball for a touchdown in the second half of a Class B football playoff game on Friday at Waverly High School.
After the field clears, Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) kicks his helmet after the Titans fell to Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) is embraced by Crew Moeller (4) after falling wo Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris' Gavin Crogg (44) and Anden Papik (9) celebrates after Crogg scores two extra points in the second quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Brayden Canoyer (0) forces a safety after Norris' Markus Nelson (1) loses the ball in the second quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris' Chris Garner (6) celebrates a first quarter touchdown with Jarrett Behrends (17) of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Zach McElhose (1) is upended by Norris' Noah Waddel (left) on a punt return in the first quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris head coach Ty Twarling speaks with a game officical in the second quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Cooper Wittler (44) runs the ball but is tackled by Norris' Chris Garner (6) in the first quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris' Chris Garner (6) catches a throw ahead of Waverly's Zach McElhose (1) as he runs the ball in for a touchdown in the first quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Carter McMillan (10) makes a pass in the first quarter of a Class B football playoff game against Norris last week in Waverly.
Norris' Markus Nelson (1) slips past Waverly's Harrison Smith (22) on a run in the first quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Trev Greve (2) is fended off by Norris' Crew Moeller (4) as he runs the ball in the first quarter of a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly's Chase Koehler (71) runs out with his team ahead of the game against Norris during a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris' Griffin Huls (32) is reflected in a locker room mirror as he prepares before a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris' Dallas Washington (21) readies himself before a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Waverly head coach Reed Manstedt watches as his team warms up before a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
The visor of Norris' Nolan Reinboth (54) reflects the sun before a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
The visor of Norris' Nolan Reinboth (54) reflects the sun before a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
Norris players warm up on the field before a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School.
