Omaha Skutt strikes quick, often to sink Discoverers 49-10.

Columbus QB Michael Koch looks over the Skutt defense. *(photo by Bobby Mills)

Omaha Skutt strikes quick, often to sink Discoverers 49-10.

By Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

Overhearing a pre-game comment of "Columbus may be overmatched here" proved to be an ominous forecast to say the least.

It took Skutt Catholic only 5 plays and 2 minutes 57 seconds to set the tone of this Thursday night matchup after receiving the opening kick-off. An NFL-type one handed 18 yard touchdown grab by All-State candidate Christian Banker didn't help matters either for Columbus.

But the Discovers immediately rebounded on the following possession when tall, speedy quarterback Michael Koch skirted down the Columbus sideline for a nifty 57 yard gain.

The vaunted Skutt defense put the clamps on though, and the maroon clad Discoverers had to settle for a 32 yard Jesus Adame FG to make it 7-3.

Things went south in a hurry for Columbus as the Pawnee Park floodgates opened up, unleashing a host of SkyHawk runners with Mack truck sized openings to run through.

Before the first half ended, Skutt had put up 35 points. The real Columbus crippler came when the Omaha invaders scored twice in a matter of 18 seconds early in the 2nd quarter.

As it has been the past half a dozen years in the past, the opportunistic Skutt defense made things miserable for yet another Class B opponent.

The first turnover came on a special teams play for the Skyhawks. Junior defensive back JD Daro flew through the Columbus punt team wall to block Nathan Slusarski punt, promptly returning the loose ball 32 yards for a touchdown. Quinn Mendlik booted the 3rd of his seven PAT kicks to make it 21-3 Skutt, after one.

Skutts "18 second killer" unfolded at the 9:20 mark of the 2nd quarter. The SkyHawks actually began the drive with 43 ticks remaining in the first with the ball sitting on their own 24.

QB Ryan Moritz mixed the run and the pass well on the drive, advancing to the Columbus 38 yard line where another gigantic hole appeared for RB Curt Randall. The 185 senior, who had already ripped off a 47 yard dash on the opening drive, easily sprinted 38 yards for score, giving Skutt a 28-3 lead.

Eighteen seconds later, senior Trevor Gibson (#21) picked off a Michael Koch aerial and raced 34 yards untouched for a touchdown. Fleet-footed Quinn Mendlik boots it through and in the blink of a Columbus eye, it's 35-3 SkyHawks with most of the 2nd quarter remaining.

To make things even worse, Matt Turman's offense comes out on their 1st drive of the second half, sends FB Connor Fenton up the gut for 3 yards, then All-State lineman Trent Hixon and company open another gaping hole for Curt Randall...........Bang! 60 yard TD, running clock.

The proud 4-1 Discoverers did not give up though, later moving the ball 65 yards downfield before hard-running state wrestling champion, Colton Wolfe banged in for a score from the 7 yard line. That temporarily shut down the running clock, but Skutt Catholic kicked it right back in when Ryan Moritz walked in from a yard out, making it 49-10 with 8:51 left in the game.

The key play in the drive came when Moritz nailed senior WR senior Jack Chambers for a 47 yard gain.

Skutt assistant coach Matt Vrzal, the former Grand Island and Husker standout, told me prior to the game how many SkyHawk football players could run a sub-4.7 forty......a ton. The speed showed tonight and killed.

Curt Randall led the brutal Skutt ground attack with 192 yards on 10 carries plus the two long distance TDs. Randall was just part of the SkyHawks 291 rushing yards for the night.

QB Ryan Moritz completed all but one of his 8 passes, good for 136 yards and a TD.

Discoverer quarterback Michael Koch led his team with 74 yards on 15 carries, 57 of those coming on the early sideline dash. Colton Wolfe was held to 57 yards on 15 totes but ran extremely tough inside.

Columbus did rush for over 200 yards in the game but could manage only 44 through the air with that Pick-6.

Do not feel too bad for this Columbus football team. Coach Craig Williams will have his forces enter District play with very winnable games against Schuyler and South Sioux City and a winnable home closer with Blair.

There is a good chance these Discoverers could end the regular season at 7-2. When you think back to last year's 0-9 record.......remarkable.

Omaha Skutt has home games remaining with a couple of 3-2 squads in Omaha Roncalli and Bennington, then a road clash with 2-3 Ralston. A 7-2 finish looks very possible of these guys too.

It appears that Matt Turman's Skutt team has hit full stride with impressive wins against Gretna and Columbus. This football team will be a big player in the Class B title race.

......................................1........2........3........4..........F

(4-2) Omaha Skutt.....21.....14.......7........7.........49

(4-2) Columbus............3.......0........0........7.........10

1st QTR:

Skutt - Christian Banker 18 pass from Ryan Moritz - (Quinn Mendlik Kick).....10:03

Columbus - Jesus Adame 32 FG..........................................3-7.....7:29

Skutt - Moritz 8 Run...................................(Mendlik kick).....3-14.....5:52

Skutt - JD Daro 34 Blocked Punt Return..(Mendlik kick).....3-21.....2:19

2nd QTR:

Skutt - Curt Randall 38 Run.......................(Mendlik kick).....9:20

Skutt - Trevor Gibson 34 INT. Return.......(Mendlik kick).....9:02

3rd QTR:

Skutt - Randall 60 Run................................(Mendlik kick).....8:06

4th QTR:

Columbus - Colton Wolfe 7 Run...............(Adame kick).....11:48

Skutt - Moritz 1 Run...................................(Mendlik kick).....8:51