The SEM Mustangs will look to complete an undefeated season tonight when they face Hay Springs for the NSAA Class D6 (Six Man) state football championship. SEM will be in search of their first state championship in the sport of football. This will mark the second time in program history that SEM will play in a state championship game. The Mustangs made it to the Class D2 state championship game in 1992 finishing as the state runner up to Falls City Sacred Heart. SEM was a state semifinalist last season but fell to eventual champion Parkview Christian. SEM head coach Shane Hrasky told KCNI/KBBN sports that making the semifinals last year showed the team what was needed to take the next step.
“I don’t know if it added motivation but it let these boys see what it was like to make it that far and what it takes to get to the state championship. So they knew kind of what to expect coming in to this year and I think it has helped us.”
SEM is averaging just over 48 points per game this season but their defensive numbers are perhaps even more impressive. The Mustangs have surrendered a total of 21 points in three playoff games and are allowing an average of 146 yards per game and 13 points per game. Those statistics grab one’s eye considering six man football can be known for its wide open high scoring games. Coach Hrasky said the key to their defense this season has been their front three.
“All season long it starts with our front three. We got three guys up front that play really good football. They’re big, they’re fast, they’re smart. Not very often in six man football do your front three lead the team in tackles but our guys play really good defense.”
SEM will face Hay Springs for the six man title. Hay Springs battled through some injuries early in the season losing their first 3 games but have now won eight in a row. One of the driving forces during their eight game winning streak is running back Gage Mintken who ran for 320 yards and six touchdowns in their semifinal win over defending state champion Parkview Christian. SEM coach Shane Hrasky said he sees a lot of similarities between the two teams.
They’ve got two really good running backs. They run the ball really well. They’re front three block well and on defense their front three set the tone. They are really similar to us. Play the same style of football. They’ve got a quarterback that can throw it and when they do throw it it’s really effective. On offense they’re very balanced when they need to be and defensively they’re pretty stout. I think we match up pretty good. It should be a good game.”
Tonight’s six man championship will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM and kbbn.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Listen to our full interview with SEM head coach Shane Hrasky.
