Don your colors, head to the game

Put on your school colors. Strike up the band and stand up and cheer. It's time to go all-out for 12 area football and volleyball teams who are seeking a shot at state glory.

Excitement is building because -- all of a sudden -- five area volleyball teams have reached the regional finals, with games tonight deciding which of the teams will advance to the Nebraska state tournament next weekend in Lincoln.

It is certain that at least one team from Southwest Nebraska will go to state, because two of tonight's foes -- Cambridge and Wauneta-Palisade -- will square off tonight in the Class D-1 6 finals in McCook, with the winner advancing to the state event.

The improving McCook Bison in Class B also have an opportunity to advance, with a game tonight in Cozad determining whether the Lady Bison or Grand Island Northwest will go to state. It should be a real barn-burner, as the teams split in games earlier this season.

Other area teams with crucial games tonight are the Chase County Longhorns, who face Kearney Catholic in a Class C-1 showdown at North Platte High School; and the Eustis-Farnam Knights, who will play Amherst in a Class D-1 match at Lexington.

On Saturday, the spotlight will shift to the Kansas side of the line, with two teams from the northwest area bidding to advance in the football playoffs. Carrying the area's hopes are two teams with Indian nicknames, St. Francis and Hoxie. Both teams have 2-1A matches, with St. Francis traveling to St. John and Hoxie going to Claflin for Saturday's playoff contests.

Prep fans will have Sunday to catch their breath, before an outburst of playoff action Monday on the Nebraska side of the line.

Representing the southwest section of the state are the McCook Bison in Class B, Chase County in Class C-1, Cambridge in Class C-2, Arapahoe in Class D-1 and Hayes Center in Class D-2.

In the Monday games, McCook will host Holdrege, Chase County will travel to Cozad, Cambridge goes to North Platte St. Patrick's, Arapahoe journeys to Crawford and Hayes Center hosts Stapleton.

Let's let all the area athletes know we are proud of them. They have advanced farther than hundreds of other teams in Nebraska and Kansas, and will have the area's full support in their quest to reach state.