Bison plans depend on ‘W’ at Gering

Thursday, October 17, 2019
The McCook Bison get a boost with the return of senior Sterling Wright (6, right), who has missed the previous five-plus games after being injured at Northwest in Grand Island on Sept. 6.
R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The Wright way to Class B state playoffs brings a delightful double meaning for McCook Bison Friday night.

Not only can the Bison clinch another post-season spot with a win over Gering, they’ll feel even stronger now that senior back/receiver Sterling Wright has returned from missing five games.

Most likely remember mosquitoes attacking on a muggy Friday night in Grand Island where McCook lost 20-3 to Northwest.

Even worse was how Wright had seemingly lost his final high school football season due to a first-half knee injury. Some believed one or even more knee ligaments had been torn when Wright was hit and tackled after catching a pass over the middle.

“I was really looking forward to playing 11-man football,” the Shelton High transfer admitted that evening.

Wright stood tall with his teammates until the final seconds expired — just as he has during these next five Friday evening.

Thankfully, the outlook has greatly improved since that 0-2 start to McCook’s season.

Doctors discovered Wright suffered a severe bone bruise and some ligament damage — but not enough to end his football career.

Instead, he’s looked better each week just like the Bison during most of these last five weeks. They are only double-overtime loss at Lexington from five consecutive wins.

They can reach 5-3 by beating Gering Friday night, and Wright will likely be playing 11-man football again.

“We’ll put him at receiver and mix in some tailback just like we did before,” coach Jeff Gross commented.

Wright scored McCook’s first touchdown this season on a 50-yard run against Hastings.

“We’re not going to radically change things, but we’ll sprinkle in some plays for him,” Gross added. “Because he’s definitely a good football player and another good weapon for us.”

The Bison will unleash their full arsenal against what coach called “an improved Gering football team.”

Just 5-56 since 2013, the Bulldogs own a 34-0 win this season over Torrington, Wyo., where junior Brady Radyzmski ran for three touchdowns and senior Kohlton Ebbers totaled 148 receiving yards.

Ebbers has caught four TD strikes among his 24 receptions overall, including a season-best 82 yards on one reception.

Radyzmski has added two more rushing scores en route to 406 yards and 4.6 per carry.

Senior quarterback Anthony Walker is a returning starter who’s faced top Class B programs like the rival Scottsbluff Bearcats (7-0).

“Their offense is more efficient. They’ve gotten their running game going a bit with some power and option. Last year, they just spread the field and mainly threw it.”

The Bulldogs’ O-line features 255, 240 and 230-pound listed starters. They scored their most points in a game last week (21) vs. Alliance outside of that Torrington win.

Gross also likes the Bulldog defense where senior linebacker Garrett Conn has made 83 tackles (37 solos) and Aldreick Conn 60 (24 solos).

“Their defense has kept them in some games for awhile,” Gross said.

The Bison clearly won’t be looking past these Bulldogs. A win likely puts McCook into the Class B No. 10 or 11 spot entering next week’s regular-season finale vs. Scottsbluff.

“We’re really treating this like our Super Bowl because we know with a win, we are in the playoffs,” he confirmed. “Our guys have had a great week of practice. We are ready to go.”

Bison leaders entering the Gering game:

Rushing: Corban Jernigan 124 carries-789 yards (6.36 per carry, 112.7 per game)-nine TDs; Alec Langan 58-404 (7.8)-3 TDs; Cameryn Berry 83-304-5 TDs. Passing: Berry 32 completions-68 attempts-417 yards-1 TD.

Receiving: Luke Maris 7 catches-137 yards (19.5 avg.)-1 TD; Langan 6-102, Andrew Peterson 3-69, Mark Arp 4-69.

McCOOK (4-3) at

GERING (1-6)

Friday, Oct. 18Kickoff 8 p.m.

Bulldog Stadium

Projected starting lineups & top substitutes

McCOOK Bison

Offense

PosNo.NameHt.Wt.Yr.
WR12Reese Dellevoet5-8145Sr.
WR 31 Luke Maris 5-10 165 Jr.
WR 3 Andrew Peterson 6-2 175 Jr.
TE89Luke Roberts6-2210Sr.
TE30Adrian Manzanares5-10250Jr.
T54Isaiah Weimers6-4210Jr.
G60Drew Daum6-0205Sr.
C52Conner Kleckner6-1205Sr.
G65Torrington Ford6-1210Jr.
T55Brady Esch5-10230Sr.
RB34Alec Langan6-3210Sr.
RB 23 Corban Jernigan5-10165 Sr.
QB 5Cameryn Berry6-0170Sr.

Defense

Pos.No.NameHt.Wt.Yr.
DE52Conner Kleckner6-1205Sr.
DT89Luke Roberts6-2210Sr.
DT65Torrington Ford6-1210Sr.
DE34Alec Langan6-3210Jr.
ILB60Drew Daum6-0205Sr.
ILB 30Adrian Mazanares 5-10250Jr.
OLB 35 Landon Towne5-9170Sr.
OLB23Corban Jernigan5-10165Sr.
CB11Mason Schmoker5-10160Jr.
CB9Mark Arp5-11155Jr.
S5Cameryn Berry6-0170Sr.
S 31Luke Maris5-10165Jr.

Special Teams

Pos.No.NameHt.Wt.Yr.
P82Dawson Bredvick6-1195Sr.
K/FG/PAT31Luke Maris5-10155Jr.
H12Reese Dellevoet5-8145Sr.
L. Snap60Drew Daum6-0200Sr.
S. Snap11Mason Schmoker5-10155Jr.
RET5Cameryn Berry6-0170Sr.
RET9Mark Arp5-11155Jr.

_

GERING

Bulldogs

Offense

PosNo.NameHt.Wt.Yr.
WR 2Kohlton Ebbers6-3 180 Jr.
WR 9Riley Schanaman5-9175Sr.
TE44Sam Rocheleau6-3210So.
LT57Izaiha Blanco6-2240Jr. LG71Jackson Schlothauer5-10195So.
C56Garrett Conn6-0230Sr.
RG55Adrieck Conn6-1205Sr.
RT52Trey Zwickle6-2255Jr.
FB 42Eli Thompson5-10185So.
RB 6Brady Radzymski5-8160Jr.
QB15Anthony Walker5-10180Sr.

Defense

Pos.No.NameHt.Wt.Yr.
WLB20Donovan Delos Santos 6-0195 Sr.
DT 57Izaiah Blanco6-2240Jr.
NG52Trey Zwickle6-2255Jr.
DT44Sam Rocheleau6-3210So.
SLB42Eli Thompson5-10185So.
MLB55Aldreick Conn6-1205Sr.
MLB56Garrett Conn6-0230Sr. CB 9 Riley Schanaman5-9175Sr.
CB 6Brady Radzymski5-8160 Jr.
SS 11Ryley Hoke5-8165Sr.
FS 8Camelo Timblin6-1170So.

Special Teams

Pos.No.NameHt.Wt.Yr.
K/P 15Anthony Walker5-9175Jr.
Snaps 56Garrett Conn 6-0230 Sr.
KR 6Brady Radzymski5-8165So.
KR 9Riley Schanaman5-7170Jr.
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