Bison goal: put pressure on playoff foe Hastings

The McCook Bison want to make Hastings quarterback Jarrett Synek (4) move when they meet again for Friday night’s Class B state playoff game at Hastings College. Juniors Alec Langan (34) and Torrington Ford (65) will be among the Bison aiming to put pressure on Hastings’ offense.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — A good few days of practicing in the Kiplinger Fairgrounds arena should have McCook Bison ready to be unleashed at Hastings Friday night.

“We worked on everything except the kicking game,” coach Jeff Gross said about being kept indoors due to this year’s unusual late October snow and cold. “We’ll work on that (kicking) some today.”

Bright sunshine has returned along with something McCook Bison know better than any other Class B football program:

State playoff time!

The Bison also see a familiar first-round opponent in Hastings, who played with eye-of-tiger tenacity throughout its 30-7 win at Weiland Field on Aug. 30.

Gross sees the same super-quick Tigers as they’ve ripped through six more foes by an average margin of 29 points.

Yet Hastings fans won’t see the same Bison that totaled only 160 yards (12 passing) in that Aug. 30 opener.

“We’re a completely different team offensively now,” Gross proclaimed. “We had no identity in that first game. We had way too many mental mistakes. Now we’re a team that showed with one of Class B’s best (Scottsbluff) last week.”

The Bison led Scottsbluff through much of last week’s game, 14-13, until a late Bearcat score secured their 21-14 victory.

McCook’s main question from that contest: will senior quarterback/safety/interception leader Cameryn Berry be ready for playoff action.

Berry suffered a leg injury during the second quarter last week.

“It will be a game-time decision,” Gross explained while mentioning Cam had not practiced so far this week.

Junior Mark Arp stepped into QB and kept McCook moving with a couple of great pass completions last week.

The Bison moved into position for a last-minute tying touchdown until Bearcat pass pressure ruined their final fourth-down play.

Pressuring the quarterback is exactly what McCook must do against Hastings’ Jarrett Synek on Friday at Hastings College.

Synek completed 20 of 29 throws for 309 yards and two TDs — easily the best passing performance against McCook this season.

His season numbers: 25 touchdowns and three interceptions as the Tigers have gone 7-2.

Yet against rival Northwest from Grand Island last week?

Synek was just nine of 20 for 90 yards, no TDs and one INT in a 49-13 Tigers defeat.

“Northwest got a ton of pressure on him with just three or four guys,” Gross observed. “That’s the key is to keep him (Synek) moving. He never got comfortable against Northwest.”

“I thought we did a better job as the game went along (in August),” the coach added. “Because he (Synek) is very good. If you give him time, he will pick a defense apart.”

Senior Drew Daum’s 11 tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks lead the Bison into Hastings.

Junior Torrington Ford has made another five stops behind the line with two sacks.

Seniors Conner Kleckner, Joel Carter and junior Alec Langan have blasted through four times apiece. Carter is another game-time decision after missing recent games due to an injury.

The Bison are certainly healthy enough to know great goals within reach.

Defeating the Tigers would ensure McCook a home quarterfinal game vs. either No. 3 Waverly or No. 14 Omaha Gross next week.

“It’s all out there for us,” Gross said. “Our effort and execution gave us a chance against Scottsbluff. We need that again Friday night.”

McCOOK Bison

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

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HASTINGS

Tigers

Offense

Defense

Special Teams