Week 4 High School Football Heroes

York sophomore quarterback, Damen Kaliff (#3) looks to the York sideline and Coach Snodgrass for the next play.

It's getting better and better every week, fans. The more games I attend, the more amazing I realize these young guys are performing. The feats you see each and every week are the result of great preparation by high school, coaches and athletes all over this state and most of these players realize they only hit the stage a precious few times a season.

Let's get right to the outstanding performances of Week 4.

***1000 Yard Rusher Alert***

*Noah Johnson*-Sutton - (6-1, 210 FB/LB) - In a 56-6 win over new 11-Man team Shelby, Johnson jetted for FIVE 1st quarter touchdowns on his way to 343 yards on only 9 carries. Johnson, who was out of the game early in the 2nd stanza after his 6th TD, had unreal touchdown blasts of 49, 32, 54, 71, 64, and 34 yards. By the way, only 13 seconds had ticked off the 1st quarter clock when Johnson scored the 1st time. 24 seconds later, he added his 2nd TD. Talk about taking the game by storm when it's his turn, Noah Johnson thus far in 2014 has rushed for 1,188 yards on only 80 carries! That is 14.9 yards a pop. Johnson has 19 touchdowns. That means he gets to the house every 4th time he handles the football. I'm out of breath and superlatives for this man.

*Jake Bos-Columbus Scotus - (5-11, 185 Jr. FB/LB) - In what amounted to playing in only about half of the Shamrock's 28-14 victory over unbeaten and 3rd rated Pierce (C-1), Bos ran for 157 yards on just 11 carries and scored touchdowns of pulling away runs that covered 47 and 62 yards. It was the 47 yard blast that shook the Rocks loose from the Bluejays. Another quality running back may have emerged for Scotus in shifty, hard charging 155 pound junior Baeley Pelster. The slick Pelster rushed for 110 yards on 12 touches and scored the Rocks 1st TD on a 3 yard run.

*Nate and Nick Stolze-Norfolk Lutheran High NE - Both seniors and 165 pounds, Nate is 5-11 and an inch taller. In a 66-26 pasting of Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Nick Stolze, who ran for 819 yards in an injury plagued 2013/6 game season, rushed for 131 yards on 12 carries and scored on runs of 91, 33, 6, and 19 yards in the blowout. Nate had 124 yards on only 7 touches and scored on a 10 yard run. LCC junior QB Dillan Wolfgram sparkled in a losing effort, completing 15 of 30 passes for 288 yards and TD throws that covered 14, 81, 12, and 70 yards.

*Calvin Strong, Tavion Seals, and Jason Martin-Omaha North - In the premier Class A showdown between the Number 1 Vikings and #2 Bellevue West, Omaha North turned this one into a laugher with a 62-21 victory. Strong ran for 162 yards on 19 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 3, 1, and 65 yards. When Strong left in the 1st half with cramps, Tavion Seals ran 15 times for 127 yards and scored on 9 and 51 yard runs. And after the Thunderbirds took a 14-7 lead in the 1st half, North coach Larry Martin decided to flip-flop his linebackers and Super-State LB Jason Martin enjoyed the change by being a demon the rest of the game to the Bellevue West offense. By the way to the college recruiting boys who think Calvin Strong is too slow.....slowpoke Calvin ran down the speedy Malik Hluchoweckyj From Behind at the end of his 72 yard interception return. Stu Pospisil alerted me to that little tidbit. Hluchoweckyj is fast, trust me on that one.

*Grant Norder-Bruning-Davenport-Shickley - (6-0, 200 QB/LB) - 2013 All-State player keeps coming up bigger every week if that's imaginable. Against a fine High Plains team, Norder rushed for 192 yards on 25 carries and scored 71, 2, and 58 yard runs. He completed 10 of 19 passes for 221 yards and threw scoring passes of 37, 68, 9, and 12 yards. Riley Tegtmeier caught 3 of Norder's aerials for 108 yards, one of which was a 68 yard TD. High Plains Kyler Van Housen had 8 receptions for 138 yards in the loss and a 41 yard TD.

*Dillon Menke-Lawrence-Nelson - (6-0, 200 RB/LB) - Just crushed GI Heartland Lutheran's defense with 364 yards on 33 carries and scored 4 TDs with runs of 27, 33, 38 and 5 yards in Lawrence-Nelson's 66-28 win. Menke, who ran for 1,030 yards a year ago for the Raiders, is one of the best players in 8-Man football and I'll vouch for that. Heartland Lutheran QB Jacob Simonson flashed some passing skills in the contest by completing 27 of 50 tosses for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. Red Hornet wide receiver caught 10 of Simonson's throws for 138 yards and a 28 yard score.

*Martiez Prather-Lincoln SE - (5-11, 180 Jr) - Lincoln High transfer ran untouched for an 80 yard TD on the games 1st play. In Southeast's 48-0 trouncing of North Platte, Prather ended up bolting for a 52 yard score the second time he touched the pigskin and ended the night by accumulating 249 yards on 13 carries...all in the 1st half. Martiez added a 13 yard TD before he was finished. The Lincoln SE offensive line of guards Ashawn McEwan and Alex Bruner, plus tackles Fyn Anderson and Greyson Engle paved the way for 400 rushing yards in the Knights initial win of the season.

*Trent Geiser-Anselmo-Merna - (5-6, 160 Sr) - This kid is making up for the time he lost a year ago which was basically the entire season. In an 80-52 route of previously unbeaten Elwood, Geiser turned on the after burners to the tune of 386 yards on 27 carries and SEVEN touchdowns. Geiser has now rushed for 717 yards on 81 touches and 12 TDs in just 3 games. Remember, he had 1,329 yards and 22 TDs as a sophomore before his heartbreaking season a year ago. This is only the beginning for this outstanding runner in 2014, trust me.

*Damien Baumgardt-Humphrey St. Francis - (5-10, 165 Jr QB) - In an incredible 53-40 win over Chambers/Wheeler Central, the junior signal caller completed 12 of 19 passes for 202 yards and TD strikes of 4, 49, 17, and 29 yards but you ain't heard nothin' yet. With his Flyers trailing CWC 43-34 and facing 4th and 22 and their own 3 yard line, Baumgardt rolled all the way to the right sideline and threw back against his body to complete a pass to Kyle Wemhoff and keep the drive alive. After HSF gained the 50-43 advantage, Baumgardt picked off a CWC pass in the waning moments to preserve the precious win. Kyle Wemhoff had 108 yards on 22 carries in the game which included a couple of 1 yard TD plunges. Wemhoff replaced 2 time all-state running back J J Oltmer, who suffered some type of upper body injury after gaining 58 yards on 5 carries.

*Brenden Pelster-CWC - (5-11, 180 Jr QB/Punter) - Duel threat quarterback, who ran for 1,285 yards and 13 TDs and threw for 843 and 16 TDs a year ago, rushed for 156 yards on 27 totes and 3 touchdowns (32,1 and 2 runs) and completed 9 of 14 passes for 204 yds and 1 TD (26 yards) in that heartbreaking 50-43 loss to St. Frans. Pelster is just a super, super football player. This week his outstanding skills will be on display once again when the Renegades host powerful Randolph and star RB Dylan Loberg.

*Mitch Schenkelberg-Omaha Westside - (5-8, 190, RB/OLB) Ran for 213 yards on 24 carries and scored 4 touchdowns in the 1st half in the Warrior's 55-14 win over Lincoln Northeast. Schenkelberg, who had only 99 yards in 2 games this fall, scored on runs of 3, 1, 5 and 13 yards as surging Omaha Westside bolted to a 34-0 halftime lead.

*Ty Benson-Scottsbluff - Senior 1000 yard rusher of a year ago ripped off 170 yards on 23 totes in the 'Cats 36-19 win at Adams Central. The fleet Benson hit paydirt with runs of 11, 10, 14 and 48 yards in the road win.

*Kyler Wormstadt-Adams Central - (5-11, 175 RB/LB) - Countered Scottsbluff's Benson by rushing for 163 yards on 29 carries. The Junior hit the end zone with runs of 2 and 30 yards in the Patriots loss.

*Jonathan Smailys-Arlington - (5-9, 165 B/DB) - In a 21-20 loss to West-Point Beemer, Smailys rushed for 236 yards on 40 carries and scored 2 of the 3 Arlington TDs. Smailys, who ran for 1,058 yards a year ago, has already accumulated 592 yards in 4 games this season.

*Damen "Cool Hand" Kaliff-York - (6-0, 185 QB/DB) - Sophomore gunslinger, who threw for over 1,800 yards as a freshman for 8-Man McCool Junction a year back, connected on 16 of 22 passes for 207 big ones in a 14-10 loss to Lincoln Pius X. He was 13 of 15 for 166 yards in the 1st half. Kaliff has now completed 37 of his 58 throws for 460 yards and a 64% pace for the Dukes.

*J J "Sure Hands" Schulz-York - (6-0, 170 WR/SS Jr.) - Latched on to 8 of Kaliff's aerials for 124 yards in that loss to the Thunderbolts. Jj, who may have the best hands in Class B , has caught 20 passes this season for 326 yards and 3 scores to date. That total will go up now with the emergence of young Damen Kaliff.

*Gaige Marshall-Hershey - (5-10, 175, RB/CB) - Hard running, punishing senior had 188 yards on 18 carries and 3 TDs (6, 19, 16 runs) in a 41-14 route over Wood River. Marshall, who ranks 2nd in C-2 rushing behind Sutton's remarkable Noah Johnson, has bolted for 676 yards in 4 games this fall for the Panthers (not the Kisses), increased his career total to 2,009 yards and has not been held under a 100 yards rushing since September 20, 2013. That's 11 straight games over the century mark, folks. Marshall is nearly impossible to hold under a hundred yards rushing in a football game.

*Chayton Crow-Hershey - (5-9, 165, WR) - Surprised Wood River with 10 carries and 121 yards, plus a 60 yard TD dash in the mix. Could this young man be the son of the magnificent Mark Crow, who was one of the best Hershey RB's ever?

*Natan Howe-Kearney Catholic - (6-0, 185 MLB/RB) - Rugged, hard nosed senior blasted for 231 yards on 30 touches with 1 TD (6 run) and carried his team to a huge win over defending C-1 champion Cozad. Howe has not been under a 100 yards rushing yet in 2104 while compiling 649 yards and a 9 yard/carry average. You noticed that he is listed as a middle linebacker first? That's because: #1)-He is averaging 13.3 tackles a game, and #2) They manufacture all-state linebackers at Kearney Catholic, aka Alex Lowe. Boy would I like to see this team play Boone Central or Norfolk Catholic!

*Conor Young-Cozad - QB tried his best to keep his Haymakers in the Kearney Catholic game by rushing 13 times for 96 yards. Young scored on an 84 yard run, returned a kick-off 78 yards for another and tossed an 8 yard TD pass to Chase Dunn in the 27-20 loss. Young is a junior, remember.

*Chris Konicek-Clarkson-Leigh - (6-2, 170, RB/LB/Captain) - Ran for 162 yards on 19 carries and nabbed 6 receptions for another 78 yards in a 58-34 win over Cedar Bluffs. Just have to like this kid merely because he has the same hair style as Sidney's Chance Anglin (ala Clay Mathews/Green Bay Packers). Would've if I could've had the hair when I played at GICC back in the horse and buggy days. My wife would kill me now.

*Zemua Baptista-Friend (160, RB/MLB, Jr) - The fleet-footed Baptista ran for 151 yards on 9 carries and scored twice (15, 61 runs) in a 34-0 "W" over Cross County. Baptista, who is a standout track and wrestling man, has run for 468 yards while helping his friends at Friend improve to 3-0 this season.

*Chance Anglin-Sidney - Elusive running back ran for 125 yards on only 14 carries and scored on a 49 yard run in the Red Raiders heart-stopping loss to McCook. Anglin has 551 yards thus far in 2014.

*Trevor Matson-McCook - Dancing With the Stars King ran for a "quiet" 137 yards on 22 touches in that Bison win over Sidney. This guy gets overlooked so much by the press in some circles. Not by opposing coaches! He has 467 yards this season, man. He and Anglin could start for any Class A team in Nebraska.

*Taylor Murph-Ralston - (5-11, 170, QB/RB/SB, Jr) - In a win over previously unbeaten Elkhorn Mt. Michael, Murph rushed for 200 yards on 23 touches and scored 4 Tds. Taylor's runs were of 1, 1, and 46 yards. He also caught a 25 TD pass from Sam Dannehl in the wild 47-34 affair.

*Joey Weber-Ralston - (5-10, 170, SE) - Murph's teammate caught 7 passes for 158 yards and a TD in that Mt. Michael benedictine game. Joey Weber is a state champion in a sport you may never imagine. He is the State 1 meter Diving Champion. How 'bout that! You could say he makes a "big splash" on the gridiron too. Ok, not real great, but all I could come up with.

*Drew McClellen-North Platte St. Pats - (5-11, 140, RB/WR/CB) 163 yards 0n 14 carries and 3 Tds (36, 20, 50 runs) in the Irish 51-7 home win over Ravenna. McClellen has run for 408 yards this fall ( 7Tds), caught 4 passes for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, returns punts and kick-offs and has intercepted 3 passes thus far in 2014. Hold on...............McClellen may be the best kick-off and punt man in the state too. He averages 42 yards a boot when he punts it and absolutely kills the pigskin on kick-offs. McClellen has also made 17 of 18 extra points and 1 of 3 field goal tries. And remember, the young man weighs just a buck 40.

*Jonah Micek-St. Edward - (5-8, 120 QB/CB Soph) - Young sophomore connected on 21 of 34 passes for 345 yards and 6 touchdowns in a wild 6-Man football 78-58 loss to Arthur County last Friday under the bright afternoon sun. Jonah's classmate, Bryaden Olson (5-8, 120) caught 5 of Jonah's tosses for 158 yards and 2 Tds. Micek's dad is Casey Micek, one of a long line of Micek boys that were outstanding athlete back in the day for the Beavers.

*GI Northwest Vikings - Amassed 568 yards of total offense while pitching a 62-0 shutout against Gering. Northwest quarterbacks combined to 19-25 passes for 336 yards and 6 TDs. The Viking defense did not allow Gering inside their own 32 the entire game. Ty Johnson also ran for 150 yards on 15 carries and played only 2 minutes into the 3rd quarter. QB Brook Brown hit Taylor Willis for a 65 yard scoring pass on the first play of the contest and the route was on. Vikings travel to Scottsbluff this Friday.

*Pierce Almond-Grand Island - Islander quarterback, who has been on this list every week, threw FIVE TD passes in GI's 56-19 win over Columbus. Almond was good on 16 of 24 passes for 233 yards. His TD passes covered 25, 37, 19, 7 and 3 yards. Senior Kevin Cahoy ran for 90 yards on 12 carries (21 TD run) and was hus usual monster self on defense.

*Strange happenings: Omaha Central kicked off from the Omaha Burke 30 yard line once last Friday. Burke racked up personal fouls on the previous Central touchdown AND extra point. The Eagles also tried 3 consecutive onside kicks, all three failing. Penalties on all 3 with the final one going out of bounds. Central had recovered the 2nd one but were flagged for being offside. If I remember correctly, the Eagles suffered 117 yards in flagged calls and still pulled the 20-10 win.