2025 NEMFCA 8-Man Hall of Fame Inductee Salutes - Larry Riessland, Pleasanton High School

LARRY RIESSLAND – PLEASANTON HIGH SCHOOL

“Mr. Touchdown’s” record breaking senior season was cemented when he became the first 2,000-yard rusher in state history and Nebraska Eight-Man’s Player of the Year. In a 4-year span from 1963 to 1966, Larry was responsible for 9 touchdowns in a single game, 47 touchdowns and 2,217 rushing yards in a season, and 80 total touchdowns in his career (all state and national records at the time). In 1966, Larry not only starred for the Bulldog’s on offense, but also excelled as a ball-hawking corner on defense- where he added 19 tackles per game and 10 interceptions on the year. As Larry rewrote the history books, he was honored as a 1st Team All-Area and 1st Team All-State selection in both 1965 and 1966, respectively. He was also selected to play in the 1967 Nebraska Shrine Bowl Game (an extremely rare honor for eight-man players at the time). After high school, Larry went on to play at Kearney State College, where he held the record for longest punt return in program history for decades. Larry is already a member of the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame and the NEMFCA is honored to induct him into the Eight-Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

1000 Yard Guy sez;

Staggering statistics for back in that day. Larry Riessland was a man among boys during his high school sports days at Pleasanton. Anybody that sets a national record is a flat out STUD. I spoke with one opposing coach whose team played against Larry and he said Riessland’s running style reminded him of the legendary Bobby Reynolds from Grand Island, who was “Mr. Touchdown USA” in 1950. That’s rare air, friends.