The third time was the charm for Sandhills/Thedford as they claimed the Class D2 state football championship Monday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. The Knights were playing in their 3rd D2 championship game in the last 4 years. After finishing as the state runner-up in both 2020 and 2021, S/T collected the big trophy in 2023 with a dominant 50-12 win over previously unbeaten Wynot. It was a record setting day for Sandhills/Thedford quarterback Kyle Cox who put together one of the most amazing stat lines ever seen in a state playoff game, let alone a championship game. The Knights ran 70 offensive plays in the game and 65 of those were rushing attempts by Cox. Sandhills/Thedford finished with 493 total yards of offense (all on the ground) and 486 of those were gained by Cox which set a new Class D2 record for most rushing yards in a state playoff game. Cox’s 486 rushing yards in a playoff game ranks second among all classes just behind Jaylin Bradley’s 496 yards which he gained for Bellevue West in a Class A playoff game in 2016. According to the Omaha World Herald, the 65 carries and 486 rushing yards are both all class records for a state final. As if that wasn’t enough, it was also announced that Cox set a new Class D2 state record for most rushing yards combined in the playoffs. Cox had plenty of help as his offensive line and running backs paved the way all afternoon long.
Wynot had some success early as they took the opening drive of the game 65 yards and scored to take a 6-0 lead but it was all Sandhills/Thedford after that. The S/T defense would settle in and held the Blue Devils to 194 total yards for the game. Sandhills/Thedford was 11 of 13 in the game on third down conversions while Wynot was just 2 of 14.
Kyle Cox finished with six touchdown runs and Coby Higgins had a touchdown run for the victorious Knights who conclude the season at 12-1 overall and collect their first state football championship.
