Bison suffer bad break with all-stater

McCook senior quarterback Zach Schlager ran for 59 yards and completed all three of his passes in just more than one quarter against York last weekend.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Ouch, the “never flinch” theme used in Thursday’s McCook Gazette story about Bison football took a tough hit with news confirmed today.

“(Senior) Zach Schlager has suffered a broken pubic bone,” Bison coach Jeff Gross announced as this latest injury was discovered Thursday afternoon.

The returning all-state quarterback and linebacker has been struggling since injuring a hip against Aurora on Aug. 25.

He returned against Alliance two weeks ago and appeared to beregaining his stride vs. York at Weiland Field last Friday.

Now the Colorado State University verbal commit will be out likely four to six weeks.

A four-week absence brings Schlager back for McCook’s Class B state playoff opener on Oct. 27.

The six-week estimate would lead to a state semifinal game which McCook has reached four consecutive seasons.

“It’s possible. We have to get there,” Gross said.

Class B No. 4 McCook (4-1 record) moves on to tonight’s contest at undefeated No. 6 Scottsbluff (5-0).

The Bison have three more regular-season games against Hastings (2-3), Holdrege (2-3) and Lexington (1-4).

Sophomore Cameryn Berry returns to the starting quarterback position. He’s thrown three touchdown passes and ran for two while helping the Bison win their first four games.