Bison going for 3-peat

McCook takes on

Lincoln Pius X

in Class B state

championship game

d. "Their tackles are 275 and 260 and ours are 210. They have 40-45 pounds per man across the front on us. Not a lot can be made of that.

"We're a finesse team and we try to run by people. We're both running teams on offense and use eight-man fronts on defense. I can't see either team doing anything different than what they've done all season."

Gross said special teams could play a factor in the final outcome Saturday.

"Everyone says that Pius' special teams are just special. We're going to have to challenge our special teams."

The two tailbacks will be highlighted during the game.

The Bison, who have scored 482 points and average 443 yards of total offense a game, are led by junior tailback Brendan Liess, who has rushed for 1,812 yards and scored 25 rushing TDs (27 overall).

Pius counters with senior Dan Bargen, who has 1,735 yards rushing and is tied with Liess for the Class B touchdown lead with 27.

McCook senior fullback Alex Beam has 1,096 yards rushing and 12 TDs.

Junior quarterback Tony Purvis has passed for 800 yards and rushed for 663. Purvis has scored nine TDs and thrown five TD passes.

Liess has 10 catches for 145 yards and Brian Winder nine for 172.

The McCook defense has allowed just 49 points this season and 164.5 total yards a game.

McCOOK BISON (12-0)

vs. LINCOLN PIUS X

THUNDERBOLTS (12-0)

Class B state

championship game

Date: Saturday, Nov. 20

Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT

Semifinals, Saturday, Nov. 13: Lincoln Pius X 40, Waverly 14; McCook 17, Holdrege 14.

Radio pre-game show: 4 p.m. CT.

Radio: KICX (96.1-FM McCook)

Play-by-play: Rich Barnett.

Analysis: Ken Wellman, Bob Gaulke

STARTING LINEUPS

McCOOK OFFENSE

WR 31 Brian Winder, 6-3, 165, sr.

WR 6 Derek Ruppert, 6-1, 170, sr.

TE 1 Zach Volquardsen, 6-5, 215, sr.

TE 87 Jeremy Young, 6-3, 210, sr.

T 64 Jayce Dueland 6-0, 210, sr.

G 56 Ryan Saalfeld 6-1, 195, sr.

C 62 Karl Shaddock, 6-2, 215, sr.

G 63 Jeff Lyster, 6-1, 195, sr.

T 55 Tony Aguilar, 5-10, 220, sr.

FB 32 Alex Beam, 5-10, 180, sr.

TB 44 Brendan Liess, 6-1, 175, jr.

QB 5 Tony Purvis, 6-1, 160, jr.

DEFENSE

DE 62 Karl Shaddock, 6-2, 215, sr.

DT 55 Tony Aguilar, 5-10, 220, sr.

DT 64 Jayce Dueland 6-0, 210, sr.

DE 87 Jeremy Young, 6-3, 210, sr.

ILB 63 Jeff Lyster, 6-1, 195, sr.

ILB 32 Alex Beam, 5-10, 180, sr.

OLB 44 Brendan Liess, 6-1, 175, jr.

OLB 10 Drew Wilson, 5-9, 180, sr.

CB 19 Paul Kenny, 5-10, 155, sr.

CB 12 Rico Quezada, 5-7, 145, sr.

DB 6 Derek Ruppert, 6-1, 170, sr.

NB 3 Jeff Klug, 5-10, 165, jr.

FS 5 Tony Purvis, 6-1, 160, jr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K 2 Josh Cherry, 6-1, 150. so.

P 31 Brian Winder, 6-3, 165, sr.

H 7 Joel Arterburn, 6-0, 155, jr.

LS 62 Jayce Dueland, 6-0, 210, sr.

KR 44 Brendan Liess, 6-1, 175, jr.

KR 3 Jeff Klug, 5-10, 165, jr.

KR 19 Paul Kenny, 5-10, 155, sr.