CALLAWAY, Neb. -- Enjoy the moment.
It’s a simple phrase, but it’s one that Medicine Valley head coach Scott Johnsen used to describe his team leading up to today’s Class D1 semifinal game with South Loup.
The Raiders (11-0) and Bobcats (11-0) will battle in Callaway at 6 p.m. for a trip to the Class D1 state championship game set for next Monday at Memorial Stadium.
Leading up to today’s final-four bout, Johnsen expressed excitement and a “buzz” surrounding the team and school.
“There’s definitely a buzz in the air. The kids are feeling confident in what they’ve done and they’re excited. It’s a new adventure for them and it’s a new adventure for me too.”
All that stands between Medicine Valley and the Raiders’ first-ever state championship appearance is an unbeaten South Loup squad that’s also on a historic run.
For South Loup, today’s game will be the first-ever semifinal appearance, both for the co-op and for the schools -- Arnold and Callaway -- that comprise it.
That has led to plenty of excitement in Bobcat country, according to head coach Andy Schwarz.
“The towns and kids, everybody really, is buzzing right now. The kids are focused, they want to do things and see film. They’re excited about this opportunity.”
South Loup’s closest games this season have come against Elm Creek. The Bobcats beat the Buffaloes 47-26 in Week 9 before repeating the feat with a 36-22 win in the second round of the playoffs.
The Bobcats may have the most dynamic playmaker in eight-man football with quarterback Jack Rush.
This season, Rush has accounted for a Class D1-leading 2,934 yards (1,411 passing, 1,523 rushing) and 61 touchdowns. He’s completing 61-percent of his passes for 22 touchdowns and has only thrown two interceptions. He also averages 9.5 yards per carry.
“They are a really good ball club and (Rush) is a really good quarterback. He does it both ways. He throws the ball if you give him the opportunity and he’ll run it too. He throws it right where it needs to be and puts the kids in successful positions.”
Against an offense that’s based around read options and RPOs (run-pass option plays), Johnsen said it’s vital that the Raiders play assignment football.
“We’re gonna have to play really, really well defensively,” he said. “(Rush) will pull a little RPO action, so our defensive backs can’t get caught looking in the backfield going ‘oh he’s going to run the ball.’ Our kids have gotta be disciplined.”
On offense, Medicine Valley’s focal point all season has been Landon Lenz.
Lenz is the leading rusher in Class D1 with 1,824 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. This postseason, he’s averaging 214 yards and four touchdowns per game.
“The Lenz kid is extremely talented and extremely quick,” Schwarz said. “He runs behind his pads and he’s tough to bring down. He’s a difference maker.”
Schwarz said he sees similarities between offensive lines.
“Looking at them is the same way you’d look at us. They’re not the most intimidating kids but they don’t make mistakes. They’re just solid. Their offense has great potential and they’ve done a fantastic job this season.”
Stylistically, Medicine Valley reminds Schwarz of another RPAC school.
“They look like Dundy County just because they had the Phalen Sanford kid, who’s so explosive. I feel the Lenz kid is very comparable to that. They do a lot of similar things offensively.
Not to get lost in the shuffle is Medicine Valley’s passing game. Backup quarterback Sam Heapy has stepped in for injured starter Ryan Klintworth and thrown six touchdowns and just one interception in the playoffs.
Johnsen indicated that lineman Austin Wolfe should return to action for today’s game.
Medicine Valley will be on the road for the first time since Sept. 29, when the Raiders traveled to take on Southwest. Since then, the Raiders have hosted Cambridge and Bertrand in the regular season and Cambridge, Hemingford and Perkins County in the playoffs.
What began as a co-op to save two schools with declining enrollments has turned into a formidable force in the Nebraska Sandhills.
Separated 20 miles by a highway that runs parallel to the South Loup River, Arnold and Callaway joined athletic programs in 2010 and have had plenty of success in the eight-man ranks. In the eight years of co-oping, the Bobcats have had two regular seasons finish 8-0 and two more that went 7-1.
Despite being long-time rivals, Schwarz said the co-op has “gone amazingly well.”
“We’ve heard horror stories, but that has not been the case here. Fans and parents on both sides get along real well. They realize that if we didn’t do this what would be the option so they understand we both need each other.”
This year’s 11-0 team has been a long-term project, according to Schwarz. Most of the seniors took their lumps as freshmen and sophomores to help set up strong campaigns as upperclassmen.
“A lot of it is our senior leadership. We’ve got a lot of seniors who have started for three or four years. They got thrown to the wolves as freshmen and have seen what it’s like to get beat and face good teams. Our kids understand that you’re not good unless you show up. They understand the work it takes in the offseason and in the weight room. They’re also a great group of kids and like hanging out with each other, which is another nice thing.”
Last year, the Bobcats went 7-1 in the regular season before losing in the first round of the playoffs to eventual state champion Burwell.
This year’s Bobcat squad is averaging 338 yards per game, with 218 coming on the ground and another 120 through the air. In last week’s 54-15 quarterfinal win over Chambers/Wheeler Central/Ewing, South Loup had 466 yards of offense (226 passing and 240 rushing).
For Medicine Valley, it will be important for the Raiders to play opportunistic football. That’s been a staple of their defense this season and, against a big-play offense like South Loup’s, they will have their chances.
“If we can get a few stops, maybe get some turnovers that give us a short field, that could give us the advantage,” Johnsen noted.
Medicine Valley will look to continue its string of strong second half performances. The Raiders have outscored their three playoff opponents 78-18 in the final two quarters, including 63-6 in fourth quarters.
Schwarz said South Loup has a gameplan in place and hopes the result of today’s game comes down to his team’s ability to take care of business on their side of the ball.
“If we can take care of what we’re supposed to then that’s all you can do. If you take care of it, the better team’s gonna win and hopefully that continues to be us.”
It goes without saying that a lot rides on today’s game.
Both teams are going for their first state championship appearance in school history.
For Medicine Valley, today’s game is the first time the Raiders have reached the semifinals since 1999, when the Raiders lost to Lawrence-Nelson.
Johnsen said his team acknowledges what’s at stake, but there’s also a sense of mindfulness for what the Raiders have already accomplished.
“They’re living in the moment, understanding and enjoying what they’ve done,” he said. “But we don't want to be done. We have the opportunity to do something that’s never been done at Medicine Valley. And we understand that we gotta rise to the challenge to do that.”
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