The Nebraska High School All-State Football Project - Saluting 1975

It is time to premier a new series saluting previous All-State football teams here in Nebraska. We will begin by doing a “modern day” series covering the years spanning 1975 to the present day.

When that project is completed, we will then turn back the clock to feature a “retro series spanning the years from 1940 to 1974.

This officially places me in that “retro series” since I graduated in 1967. Well, alright then.

One of the reasons I chose 1975 is the NSAA football playoffs premiered that year. It is also the year I released my first Bobby Mills 1000 Yard Club list.

1975 also marked the second year that defensive teams were added to All-State selections, albeit only for Super-State, Class A and Class B in the Journal-Star.

The very next year, all classes featured Offensive and Defensive All-State squads.

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The first ever NSAA state football playoffs were held in 1975. The semifinal games were played November 7, and the finals were played November 14. The playoffs were conducted in six classes. Four district winners were determined in each of the six classes, A, B, C1, C2, D11, and D8.

Class A: 32 largest schools

Class B: Next 64 largest schools

Class C1: Next 64 largest schools

Class C2: Next 64 largest schools

Class D11: The remainder of schools playing 11-man football

Class D-8: All Class D schools playing 8-man football

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1975 Football Playoff Results

*Class A*

Semifinals

Lincoln East 27, Grand Island 13

Omaha Westside 21, Bellevue 18

Final (at UNO)

Lincoln East 20, Omaha Westside 9

***Sam Yowell’s 26 yard TD scamper in the middle of the 3rd quarter proved to be pivotal for Coach Lee Zentic’s Lincoln East team. The score put the Spartans up 18-7. Zentic earned career win number 100, as Yowell ran for 89 yards on 17 carries. Rugged Scott Guyer made 11 tackles to lead the staunch Lincoln East defense.

*Class B*

Semifinals

Lincoln Pius X 35, Hartington CC 0

Waverly 14, Kimball 7

Final ( at Seacrest)

Lincoln Pius X 27, Waverly 0

***The legendary Vince Aldrich and his Thunderbolts completed an unbeaten season as Tom Doggett ran for 100 yards and a score. TE Ron Coniglio caught 3 passes for 89 yards, two going for TDs. Pius had been named Class B ratings champions the previous two years.

*Class C1*

Semifinals

(9-0) Plainview 30, Utica Centennial 0

(8-1) Wahoo Neumann 27, Gibbon 21

Final (at Wahoo Neumann)

(10-0) Plainview 6, Wahoo Neumann 3

***Plainview coach Warren Washburn elected to gamble on defense by stacking 9 men on the line of scrimmage in an effort stop #1 Neumann’s powerful wishbone offense. The gamble paid off as Plainview held the Cavaliers powerful Wishbone to only 144 rushing yards for the day. The Pirates, who forced 4 Neumann fumbles, were led by Tim McCrady’s 22 tackles (12 unassisted) on defense.

*Class C2*

Semifinals

Grant 13, Pleasanton 8

Scribner 20, Friend 18

Final (at Grant)

Grant 30, Scribner 7

***Grant reversed last year’s (1974) final ratings with the 30-7 in over Scribner. The Plainsmen, who finished 2nd to Scribner in those 1974 C-2 ratings, were led by Kevin Poppe’s three touchdown runs (59, 5,13 yards). Grant overcame a 7-6 halftime deficit by making some defensive adjustments, thanks to Defensive Coach Tom Lawson.

*Class D-11*

Semifinals

Lawrence 41, Callaway 16

Nelson 48, Homer 14

Final (at Superior)

Nelson 34, Lawrence 7

***Multiple Hall of Fame Coach Gary Deboer’s Nelson Tigers were too much for their future co-op partners in the Class D 11-Man title match. Dennis Holsteen led Nelson with 124 yards rushing and a 15 yard scoring dash. The real star for Nelson was LB Rick Mazour, who was a one man wrecking crew on defense with 22 tackles.

*Eight-Man*

Semifinals

Adams 46, Sidney St. Patrick 28

Elgin 30, Wilsonville 14

Final (at Elgin)

Adams 44, Elgin 30

***Legendary Adams coach Ken Cook probably wondered what heck he did to make the NSAA mad. After an 800 mile round trip to Sidney, Cookie’s Hornets faced a 350 mile round trip jaunt to Elgin. All was good in the end as twin 1000 yard rushers Steve Buss and Tony Boeve eventually wore down No. 1 Elgin. Boeve carried the ball 41 times for 167 yards and two TDs (11, 2 runs), while Buss added 104 yards on 30 totes and two more scores (9, 2 yards). True to the 8-Man game, the two teams combined for 44 second quarter points.

The Adams defense held state rushing champion Kent Beckman to 78 yards on 21 carries, while the Tiger offense was controlling the ball to the tune of 40 more plays (on offense) than Elgin.

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**(it is apparent some players were placed at unfamiliar positions to assure they made the All-State team. I will indicate when this is the case)

1975 Super-State Offense

End-----John Fischer-Columbus Scotus, 6-3, 195, Senior

End-----Steve Eliker-Lincoln Northeast, 5-9, 165, Senior

Tackle--Mike Bruce-Omaha Burke, 6-6, 220, Senior

Tackle--Keith McCormick-Creighton Prep, 6-5, 220, Senior

Guard--Russ Baker-Omaha Benson, 6-3, 200, Senior

Guard--Dave O’Doherty-Omaha Westside, 6-3, 225, Senior

Center-Gary Vacha-Lincoln Pius X, 6-2, 205, Senior

QB------Dave Watters-Lincoln East, 5-1, 170, Senior

Back----Tim O’Donnell-Creighton Prep, 6-0, 183, Senior

Back----Tim Wurth-Omaha Burke, 5-6, 165, Senior

Back----Sam Yowell-Lincoln East, 5-10, 175, Senior

Kicker--Lonnie Staab-Kearney, 5-11, 160, Senior

1975 Super-State Defense

End-----Kim Baker-York, 6-3, 200, Senior

End-----Jim Molini-Norfolk, 6-3, 205, Senior

Tackle--Kerry Weinmaster-North Platte, 6-0, 190, Senior

Tackle--Doug Bell-Lincoln Northeast, 6-1, 215, Senior

NG------Tom Strasheim-Lincoln East, 5-8, 168, Senior

LB-------Terry Brubaker-Scottsbluff, 6-0, 180, Senior

LB-------Joe Adams-Bellevue, 6-4, 221, Senior

LB-------Randy Florell-Holdrege, 6-2, 195, Senior

DB------Bob Billinger-Omaha Westside, 5-9, 175, Senior

DB------Steve Frei-Grand Island, 6-1, 165, Senior

DB------Jim Morrison-Omaha Benson, 5-9, 160, Senior

Honorable Mention:

Al Lubek, Ron Phillips-Grand Island; Greg Olson, Phil Redwing-Fremont; Ray Toles-Omaha Tech; Gary Hager-Lincoln SE; Dan Pensick-Columbus; Jim Ripa-Omaha Gross; Tom Doggett-Lincoln Pius X; Frank Taylor-Omaha North; Dave Bunch-Omaha South; Brad Humphrey, Mike Wisnieski -Bellevue; Tim Conway, Bill Huff-Ralston; Dan Severa-Omaha Westside; Jeff Quinn-Ord; Tom Sutko, Brett Armstrong-Creighton Prep; Rod Wismer-Waverly; Scott Engelhardt-Hastings; Joe Hurley-Omaha Roncalli; Don Trotter-Omaha Bryan; Scott Guyer-Lincoln East; Bill Bauer-Kearney; Dave Copple-Norfolk and Trey DeLoach-Papillion.

1975 Class B Offense

End-----John Fischer-Columbus Scotus, 6-3, 195, Senior

End-----Steve Rohren-Lincoln Pius X, 6-1, 180, Senior

Tackle-Tom Ofe-Plattsmouth, 6-2, 190, Senior

Tackle-Tim Bruning-Hartington Cedar Catholic, 6-2, 195, Senior

Guard--Mike Williams-Platteview, 6-4, 190, Senior

Guard--Mark Olson-Lexington, 6-1, 205, Senior

Center-Gary Vacha-Lincoln Pius X, 6-2, 205, Senior

QB------Jeff Quinn-Ord, 6-3, 200, Senior (Quinn was listed at a TE in the Journal-Star)

QB/B---Pat Fuller-Lincoln Pius X, 6-0, 160, Senior

Back----Marion McCuiston-Albion, 6-0, 170, Senior

Back----Tom Doggett-Lincoln Pius X, 5-10, 170, Senior

1975 Class B Defense

End----Kim Baker-York, 6-3, 200, Senior

End----Jeff Akerson-Holdrege, 5-10, 188, Senior

Tackle-Jim Clouse-Ogallala, 5-11, 195, Senior

Tackle-Mark Winter-Waverly, 6-3, 240, Senior

NG-----Joe Flanagan-Albion, 6-0, 195, Senior

LB------Eric Vogler-Kimball, 6-2, 175, Senior

LB------Randy Florell-Holdrege, 6-2, 195, Senior

LB------Roger Wismer-Waverly, 6-2, 190, Senior

DB-----Joe Krajicek-Gretna, 6-0, 190, Senior

DB-----Mark Wittler-Fairbury, 6-1, 178, Senior

DB-----Don Daugherty-Grand Island Central Catholic, 5-9, 165, Junior

Honorable Mention:

Mike Delka-Superior; DeWayne Barent, Mike Ratliff-Ogallala; Mark Brandt, Paul Mallette-Wayne; Randy Stone, Marlin Burki-Gordon; Bob Babl-O’Neill; Steve Schweiger-GICC; Jim Stefkovich, Jerry Kobza-Lincoln Pius X; Jeff Scholl-Central City; Scott Crees, Jim Murray-Crete; Brad Shanahan-Blair; Dan Martin-Columbus Scotus; Jay Elkins-York; Ron Newton, Ken Hofferber-Lexington; Tom Zitek-David City Aquinas; Frank Zitnik-Omaha Cathedral; Kent Lopez-Valentine; Les Maaske-Cozad; Craig Clement-Ord; Andy Means-Holdrege; Brad Gralheer-Wisner-Pilger; Tim Piontkowski-Loup City; Mike Meter-Gering.

1975 Class C-1 Offense

End----Scott Poehling-Fremont Bergan, 5-9, 145, Senior

End----Jim Langin-Gibbon, 6-3, 190, Senior (Langin was a QB)

Tackle-Tom Virgl-Wahoo Neumann, 6-2, 195, Senior

Tackle-Kevin Bomar-Norfolk Catholic, 5-11, 175, Senior

Guard-Joe McGill-Omaha Holy Name, 6-2, 195, Senior

Guard-Jim Wewel-Fremont Bergan, 6-4, 200, Senior

Center-Larry Buckley-Valley, 5-11, 170, Senior

QB------Doug Lanik-Wahoo Neumann, 5-9, 157, Senior

Back----Bob Barry-Battle Creek, -6-2, 185, Senior

Back----Tim McCrady-Plainview, 5-10, 165, Senior

Back----Darryl Anderson-Oakland-Craig, 5-11, 170, Senior

Honorable Mention:

Mike Pankoke-Centennial; Mike Krueger, Tom Ellis, Kim McCrady-Plainview; Terry Rounsborg-Oshkosh; Harlow Fujan, Joe Stejskal-Wahoo Neumann; Monte Dean-Bridgeport; Rex Nolte-West Point; Kevin McConnell-Gibbon; Ken Jenkins-Omaha Holy Name; Mike Smith-Harvard; Jeff Brommer-Tecumseh; Steve Lund-Genoa; Scott Tinkham-Sargent; Mark Klinkachek-Ravenna; Tim Johnson-Rushville; Gary Ernest-Hastings St. Cecilia; Russ Rezny-Wilber; Kim Johnson-Wausa; Randy Mroczek-North Platte St. Patrick; Rick Blake-Sutherland; Mike Hupp-Norfolk Catholic; Bob Iossi-Fremont Bergan; Steve Thompson-Laurel; Randy Hinrich-Pender and Kim McCready.

1975 Class C-2 Offense

End----Craig Jochim-Friend, 6-4, 205, Senior

End----Garland Shafer-SE Consolidated, 6-3, 190, Senior

Tackle-Roger Witte, Cambridge, 6-2, 205, Junior

Tackle-Bob Heider-Pleasanton, 6-3, 228, Senior

Guard-Jeff Frankhauser-Humboldt, 5-8, 174, Senior

Guard-Greg Hoge-Scribner, 6-2, 200, Senior

Center--Dan Suhr-Grant, 6-2, 220, Senior

QB-------Clark Benne-Scribner, 5-11, 170, Senior

Back-----Kevin Poppe-Grant, 5-9, 155, Senior

Back-----Kirk Kellough-Friend, 6-2, 185, Senior

Back-----Willie Long-Morrill, 6-1, 190, Senior

Honorable Mention:

Jay Bellar-Walthill; Bob Janda-St. Edward; Dennis Dehm-Pleasanton; John Keuten-Grant; Greg Miller-Cambridge; Dennis Liess-Republican Valley; Chuck Siebert, Jay Kroeker-Henderson; Steve Dunn-Alma; Gilbert-Hershey; Bob Konken-Niobrara; Doug Darling-Burwell; Jim Carlson-Spencer; Keith Fangmeier-Friend; Larry Janecek-Yutan; Don Wiemer-Leigh; Mark Kersenbrock-O’Neill St. Marys; Jeff Fisher-Doniphan; Bob Hoffman-Winside; Joe Derr-Nebraska City Lourdes; Mike Dannehl-Bertrand; Alan Johnson-Stromsburg; Ron Evans-Hyannis; Terry Wescoat-Red Cloud; Rob Schwab-Logan View and Scott Johnson-Clay Center.

1975 Class D Offense (11-Man)