2018 was the year of the quarterback in Nebraska high school football.
The 2019 Shrine Bowl slated for 2 p.m. Saturday at Nebraska-Kearney’s Cope Stadium is now reaping the dividends of the deep, talented field. Particularly the North team, which has undergone some major roster shifts since the teams were announced in February.
Originally, the North quarterbacks were going to be Lincoln High’s two-time first-team Super-Stater Cedric Case and second-team Super-Stater Tyler Chadwick, who engineered Omaha Burke’s 13-0 season and run to the Class A state title last fall.
Case withdrew because he had to be at Texas State soon after his high school graduation this past weekend. Chadwick came down with mononucleosis last week and was forced to drop out.
In early April, the North added Northwest all-stater Carter Terry, who is the Class B career passing yardage, passing touchdowns and completions record holder, to replace Case. Terry, a Chadron State signee, is paired with Mount Michael’s Sid deMayo, who had 2,084 yards passing and 24 touchdowns to go with another 641 yards rushing and 12 TDs.
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“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play, it should be a lot of fun,†Terry said at media day Tuesday at Nebraska Wesleyan. “We’re big and fast, so I’m really looking forward to playing with these guys. We’re doing a lot of what we did in high school — a quick run game and throwing it around to a variety of receivers.â€
And the North has other signal caller options if head coach Paul Limongi of Omaha Burke chooses to go that direction, but all of them appear headed to wide receiver/defensive back duty on Saturday. Waverly’s Rhett Jordon was a Class B all-stater, Jesse Ulrich of Ord earned similar honors in Class C-1, and Broken Bow’s Grayson Garey threw for more than 3,000 yards in his career.
For Jordon, that’s just fine. He was recruited as an athlete for Northwest Missouri State’s football program.
“It’s different not playing quarterback, but I like it and it’s something I’m looking forward to,†said Jordon, who passed for 1,342 yards (17 touchdowns) and rushed for 1,506 more (18 TDs) in propelling the Vikings to the semifinals of the Class B playoffs last season.
“I knew we had some other quarterbacks they were bringing up. Both Carter and Sid can pass the ball a heck of a lot better than I can.
“We’re fortunate to have both of them,†Jordon added. “They can really sling it and it’s kind of cool to see because it’s something I can’t do. To see them throw the ball 50 yards on a dime is pretty special.â€
The North had two other late scratches from its roster — Class B all-state defensive back Quincy Nichols of Blair and Lincoln High second-team Super-Stater CJ Jones, who was pulled away by a family emergency. Creighton all-stater Bryce Zimmerer also dropped out after originally being announced in February.
Those spots were filled by Lincoln North Star’s Gavyn Leitschuck, Omaha Burke’s Hunter Jones and Creighton’s Travis Tyler.
The South wasn’t scrambling with late replacements at quarterback, but there’s a similar logjam of talent at the position. Seward all-stater Joseph Krause and Kearney’s Brayden Miller, a Nebraska walk-on, are the quarterbacks for South head coach Glen Snodgrass.
But the York coach could also call on his son, Nebraska linebacker recruit Garrett Snodgrass, Lincoln Pius X’s Austin Jablonski (Nebraska walk-on wide receiver prospect) or BDS’s John Christensen, all standout signalcallers in high school.
“Garrett was always tough to beat, so I’m glad he’s on my side,†said Krause, a Northwest Missouri State recruit who threw for a single-season Class B record 3,335 yards and 38 TDs last season. In two losses to York a year ago (the second in the Class B quarterfinals), Krause racked up 615 yards and six TDs.
“We’re doing a lot of different stuff offensively than we did at Seward,†Krause added. “Some of the pass patterns are similar, but it’s a lot more under center. We’re getting a better grasp of the plays and it should come together a little more by Saturday.â€
Krause had some kind words for Jablonski, who had 2,400 yards of total offense last season, 1,808 through the air.
“He’s very athletic, he makes some very impressive grabs,†Krause said. “I’m excited to have Austin on our side as well.â€
With so many quarterbacks, could a trick play or two be in the cards on Saturday?
“No comment,†Krause said, laughing.
The players and coaches spent the morning learning about the mission of the Shrine Hospitals for Children, which Saturday’s 61st annual game benefits. They met some of the boys and girls with serious health issues who have received medical care, which is provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Despite a few sprinkles of rain, the players ate lunch with the young patients outdoors, then played games with them on the field inside Abel Stadium.
“These kids have been through a lot, and to be a small part of their life is awesome,†Krause said. “After meeting them and hearing their stories, it puts football in perspective. It’s great to be able to play for these kids.â€