It’s an all area state football semifinal in Class D2 today as Sandhills/Thedford hosts South Loup for the right to play in the D2 state championship game later this month in Lincoln at Memorial Stadium. The two have made impressive runs through the playoff bracket. S/T rolled over top seed and previously unbeaten Johnson Brock in the quarterfinals 60-28 and is averaging 62 points per game in their three playoff wins. South Loup outscored its first two playoff opponents 108-12. In the quarterfinals against undefeated Central Valley, South Loup fell behind in the 4th quarter but put together a 7 minute sustained drive scoring with 18 seconds left to collect a 28-22 win to advance to the semifinal round. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. South Loup won the regular season meeting 48-34. Central Nebraska’s Sports Source visited with both coaches this week. When asked what traits and strengths have been displayed by his team that have helped them reach the state semifinals, South Loup head coach Mat Jagelar said team togetherness.
“Playing as a team and sticking together. Believing in each other, just that team aspect of it. Always be there for each other and not matter what the odds are we’re going to get it done together. I think the group as a whole is what has got us here.”
When Sandhills/Thedford head coach Tyson Cox visited with KCNI/KBBN sports prior to the start of the fall sports season, he mentioned that the team’s focus stood out to him in fall camp. That focus has remained and increased during the season according to coach Cox.
“It’s probably one of the biggest things that the boys have done. We have talented football players but their mental game, like, they show up to practice and they are dialed in…They have big goals – it’s a state championship. That’s what their working for and they’re pretty well on track and focused to do that.”
Today’s game between Sandhills/Thedford and South Loup in Dunning will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM and kbbn.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
On the other side of the D2 bracket, Wynot will host Howells/Dodge in today’s other semifinal matchup. Kickoff for that game is also scheduled for 6 p.m. The D2 state championship game will be played on November 20th at 2:45 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
Listen to our full interview with South Loup head coach Mat Jagelar
Listen to our full interview with Sandhills/Thedford head coach Tyson Cox
The SEM Mustangs are in the six man football state semifinals for the second consecutive season. SEM remained unbeaten and improved to 10-0 with a 28-7 win over Stuart last week in the state quarterfinals. SEM will face Wilcox Hildreth in the semifinals tonight. Wilcox Hildreth defeated Pawnee City 33-14 last week to advance. This will be the second time this season that the two have met. SEM won the regular season meeting 28-22. The winner will advance to the six man championship game which is scheduled for November 17th at UNK’s Cope Stadium in Kearney. On the other side of the bracket, defending state champion Parkview Christian will host Hay Springs in Lincoln.
Other state football semifinal matchups today include:
Class A
Elkhorn South at Millard South
Millard West at Omaha Westside
Class B
Omaha Skutt at Waverly
Elkhorn North at Bennington
Class C1
Sidney at Wahoo
Ashland Greenwood at Boone Central
Class C2
Yutan at Ord
Fillmore Central at Norfolk Catholic
Class D1
EMF at Crofton
Stanton at Sandy Creek
