The NSAA state high school football playoffs continue today. Broken Bow opens play in the Class C1 playoff bracket as they travel to face #3 seed McCook. Broken Bow qualified for the playoffs as the C1-6 district champion and finished the regular season at 5-4. The Indians have battled through injuries in the latter part of the season but received some good news this week. Broken Bow head coach Carlie Wells told KCNI/KBBN sports Thursday that senior Connor Wells has been cleared to play in tonight’s game. The Broken Bow starting fullback and linebacker suffered a concussion during the first half of the Ord game on October 14th and did not play in Broken Bow’s final regular season game against Gothenburg last Friday. Coach Wells said that Connor has progressed through the concussion protocol and has been cleared to play but will be monitored closely during the game. This will mark the second meeting of the year between McCook and Broken Bow. The two teams met during week three of the season with McCook winning 34-20. Though Broken Bow suffered a loss, the Indians put together an impressive stat line during the game rushing for 389 yards and holding McCook to just 170 total yards of offense. Coach Wells talked to Central Nebraska’s Sports Source about preparing to play a team for the second time in the same season.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to kickoff at 7 and will be broadcast on KCNI 96.3 FM and kcni1280.com with coverage beginning at 6:30.
The South Loup Bobcats will travel to Howells/Dodge today for a second round game in the Class D2 state playoffs. South Loup opened the playoffs last week with an impressive 40-6 win on the road against defending Class D2 state champion Kenesaw. South Loup quarterback Trey Connell ran for 212 yards and five touchdowns in the first round victory. The Bobcats face another defending state champion today as Howells/Dodge won the D1 championship last year and dropped down to Class D2 this season. South Loup head coach Mat Jagelar told KCNI/KBBN sports that the key for his team today will be to match the physicality of Howells/Dodge.
Today’s game between South Loup and Howells/Dodge is scheduled to kickoff at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM and kbbn.com
Sandhills/Thedford will host Central Valley today in round two of the Class D2 state playoffs. The Knights rolled over Hyannis in round one 80-28 as quarterback Kyle Cox threw for four touchdowns and ran for two. Central Valley defeated St. Mary’s in the opening round 52-6. Both teams enter at 8-1 overall. A live video stream with play by play of tonight’s game will be available on the Sandhills Express Facebook page and the Sandhills Express You Tube channel. Kickoff from Thedford is scheduled for 6:30.
The Twin Loup Wolves go on the road today to face Wynot in round two of the Class D2 state playoffs. Twin Loup opened their playoff run with an impressive 66-26 win over Elgin Public Pope John to improve to 7-2 overall. Quarterback Rusty Oxford threw for three touchdowns and Quincey Ryker finished with 197 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the playoff victory. Wynot is 8-1 after defeating Winside in round one 56-20. Today’s game is scheduled to kickoff at 5 p.m.
SEM begins its playoff run today as they host Wallace in the opening round of the six man football playoffs. The Mustangs went through the regular season undefeated and are the #1 seed in the six man playoff bracket. Today’s game is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. in Sumner.
