The Nebraska High School All-State Football Project - Saluting 1978

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1978

The fourth state football play-offs were held in November, 1978. The quarterfinal games were played October 31; the semifinals, November 4; and the finals were played November 10.

Class A: 32 largest schools

Class B: Next 64 largest schools

Class C-1: Next 64 largest schools

Class C-2: Next 64 largest schools

Class D-11: The remainder of the schools playing 11-man football – 36

Class D-8: All Class D Schools playing 8-man football – 101

Total Attendance: 66,953

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1978 Football Playoff Results

*Class A* (at Grand Island)

Quarterfinals:

(6-2-1) Grand Island 8-7 Lincoln Southeast (8-0) (@ Seacrest/Lincoln, 8 pm)

(7-2) Lincoln Northeast 21-6 Omaha Northwest (7-2) (@ Seacrest/Lincoln, 4 pm)

(8-1) Creighton Prep 21-13 Ralston (7-2) (@ Omaha Burke)

(7-2) Omaha Gross 21-15 Omaha Burke (9-0) (@ Omaha Bryan)

Semifinals:

(7-2-1) Grand Island 19-6 Lincoln Northeast (8-2)

(9-1) Creighton Prep 21-3 Omaha Gross (8-2)

Final: (at Grand Island) (Att: 6,800)

(8-2-1) Grand Island 31-7 Creighton Prep (10-1)

Champion: Grand Island (9-2-1), Head Coach-Kenny Fisher

The Islanders pulled off a minor miracle by winning Class A. In the title game, GI blocked 2 Creighton Prep punts, intercepted 2 Junior Jay passes, and recovered 2 fumbles enroute to a dominating 31-7 victory, the Islanders first State Championship in 25 years.

The opportunistic Islanders were led by the dynamic Jim Jeffries, in my opinion, the Class A Player-of-the Year.

*Class B*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) McCook 14-8 Valentine (8-1)

(9-0) O’Neill 21-0 Nebraska City (9-0)

(9-0) Central City 28-21 Elkhorn Mt. Michael (9-0)

(7-0) Lincoln Pius X 39-22 Waverly (8-0-1) (@ Nebraska Wesleyan)

Semifinals:

(10-0) O’Neill 12-7 McCook (10-0)

(8-0) Lincoln Pius X 28-14 Central City (10-0)

Final: (at O.N. Magee Stadium/Nebraska Wesleyan)

(9-0) Lincoln Pius X 33-14 O’Neill (11-0)

Champion: Lincoln Pius X (10-0), Head Coach- Vince Aldrich

The Thunderbolts 3-headed rushing monster of Tim Busnahan (108 yards), Steve Morin (93) and bruising fullback Marty Coniglio (93-10 carries), lifted Pius to a resounding 33-14 win over previously undefeated O’Neill.

The ‘Bolts held O’Neill 2,000 rusher and thousand yard man Leon Tomkins in check most of the night, although Tomkins did escape on a 55 yard TD gallop in the game.

*Class C1*

Quarterfinals:

(7-2) Pierce 18-7 Gibbon (8-0) (@ Kearney State College)

(7-1-1) Fremont Bergan 20-14 Hebron (8-1)

(9-0) Norfolk Catholic 8-0 West Point Central Catholic (6-3)

(9-0) Bayard 14-7 Louisville (8-1) ( @ Boys Town)

Semifinals:

(8-2) Pierce 31-21 Fremont Bergan (8-1-1)

(10-0) Bayard 25-12 Norfolk Catholic (10-0)

Final: (at Bayard)

(9-2) Pierce 28-7 Bayard (11-0)

Champion: Pierce (10-2), Head Coach - Duane Spale

Pierce, led by the running of state rushing champ Kevin Bretschneider, cruised to the 28-7 win amidst the falling snow pellets in Bayard. Bretschneider closed out the night with a sparkling 75 yard touchdown run.

*Class C2*

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) East Butler 42-6 Weeping Water (7-1-1) (@ David City)

(9-0) Ansley 38-14 Orchard (9-0)

(9-0) Grant 41-7 Osceola (9-0)

(7-2) Oshkosh 25-14 Clay Center (9-0)

Semifinals:

(10-0) Ansley 14-0 East Butler (10-0)

(10-0) Grant 29-7 Oshkosh (8-2)

Final: (at Broken Bow)

(11-0) Grant 35-14 Ansley (11-0)

Champion: Grant (12-0-), Head Coach - Al Gaston

Grant won it’s 2nd Class C-2 title in 4 years by unleashing a soid wishbone attack, engineered by Plainsman QB Joel Long (72 yards rushing). In the process, Grant halted Ansley’s 22 game win streak with the victory. Ansley had also not suffered a loss in 38 games prior to the 35-14 setback to Grant. Remember, there were games that ended in ties back then.

Ansley was hampered by a less than healthy 1000 yard rusher, Phil Rohde, who had been held out of the Spartan’s previous two playoff games with a bruised thigh.

*Class D-11*

Quarterfinals:

(8-0) Cambridge 48-12 Polk (5-3)

(7-2) Spencer 40-12 Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (7-2)

(8-1) Dorchester 21-10 Axtell (6-3)

(7-2) Walthill 16-0 Lexington St. Ann (6-3)

Semifinals:

(9-0) Cambridge 35-0 Spencer (8-2)

(8-2) Walthill 20-0 Dorchester (9-1)

Final: (at Bancroft)

(9-2) Walthill 36-12 Cambridge (10-0)

Champion: Walthill (10-2, Head Coach - Bob Hazen

Walthill spotted undefeated favorite Cambridge two first quarter touchdowns before taking advantage of a 25 mph wind the following quarter. The aiding wind allowed Walthill QB John Miller to connect with Russ Stansberry on TD scoring passes of 64 and 45 yards.

With the identical wind at their backs in the 3rd period, Miller once again hit Russ Stansberry, this time with a 34 yard TD strike with 7:48 left. Three minutes later, Miller then iced the game with a 33 yard touchdown screen pass to Terry Stansberry. Walthill would eventually pull away for the 36-12 shocker.

The brutal Bluejay defense “held” Cambridge RB Tim Peterson to 120 yards on 23 carries after the Trojan junior had blasted for 568 yards the past two playoff games.

*Eight-Man*

Quarterfinals:

(8-1) Bladen 40-26 Leyton (8-0)

(9-0) Dawson-Verdon 40-28 Hordville (9-0)

(8-0) Greeley 54-20 Trumbull (9-0)

(9-0) Beemer 56-12 Wallace (9-0)

Semifinals:

(10-0) Dawson-Verdon 34-14 Bladen (9-1)

(10-0) Beemer 48-20 Greeley (9-0)

Final: (at Dawson) (Att. 2,200)

(11-0) Beemer 35-28 Dawson-Verdon (11-0) (2 overtimes)

Champion: Beemer (12-0), Head Coach- Ron Peck

Two time thousand yard rusher Craig Hass rushed for 131 yards, leading Beemer to a thrilling 35-28, two overtime win over Dawson-Verdon. Beemer’s Dan Wordekemper stopped Dawson-Verdon RB Dave Fischer with a head on collision to prevent the Jets from scoring in the 2nd overtime.

Fischer ended the game 160 yards on 40 totes, but it was Beemer’s veer offense, producing three 100 yard rushers for the game in Craig Hass, David Mestl and Dale Holtz, that spelled the difference in the contest.

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*1978 Super-State Offense*

WR------Kurt Grinstead-Papillion, 5-9, 165, Senior

TE-------Bill Weber-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 185, Junior

Tackle--Dan Schmeucker-Omaha Burke, 6-5, 232, Senior

Tackle--Bill Bolte-Omaha North, 6-4, 215, Senior

Guard--Brad Muehling-Lincoln Southeast, 5-11, 185, Senior

Guard--Bill Wheeler-Grand Island, 6-3, 205, Senior

Center-Marty Rocca-Grand Island, 6-1, 220, Senior

QB------Craig Sundberg-Lincoln Southeast, 6-0, 175, Junior

RB-----Jim Bright-O’Neill, 6-1, 185, Senior…..(2,026 yards)

RB----Tom Curry-Lincoln Northeast, 5-9, 155, Senior…..(1,061 yards)

FB------Jim Jeffries-Grand Island, 5-11, 191, Senior

Kicker---John Scubiaz-Omaha Gross, 6-0, 160, Senior

*1978 Super-State Defense*

End-----Craig Holman-Omaha Northwest, 6-4, 215, Senior

End-----Jeff Svoboda-Lincoln Northeast, 6-3, 205, Senior

Tackle--Mike Keeler-Omaha Burke, 6-4, 230, Senior

Tackle--John Sherlock-Omaha South, 6-3, 225, Senior

NG------Randy Jostes-Ralston, 6-4, 235, Senior

LB-------John Beideck-McCook, 6-4, 200, Senior

LB-------Marty Coniglio-Lincoln Pius X, 5-10, 175, Senior

LB-------Tab Burch-Papillion, 6-1, 205, Senior

DB-------Doug Moore-Lincoln High, 5-10, 180, Senior

DB-------John Sorensen-Omaha Gross, 6-2, 175, Senior

DB-------Kevin Roddy-Bellevue West, 6-0, 170, Senior

Punter--Scott Schug-Kearney, 6-1, 195, Senior

*2nd Team Super-State Offense*

WR------Steve Schoettger-Lincoln East, 5-8, 135, Junior

TE-------Greg Stevens-Central City, 6-5, 200, Senior

Tackle--Charlie Meyers-Creighton Prep, 6-3, 228, Senior

Tackle--Roger Linde-Norfolk, 6-3, 205, Senior

Guard--Joe LeDuc-Lincoln Pius X, 5-7, 170, Senior

Guard--Mark Rigatuso-Omaha Central, 6-1, 215, Senior

Center-Joe Lathrop-Omaha Westside, 6-0, 210, Senior

QB------Randee Johnson*-Lincoln Northeast, 6-2, 180, Senior

Back----Ed Storm-Ralston, 5-10, 170, Senior

Back----Kevin Bretschneider-Pierce, 6-1, 165, Senior…..(2,331 yards/State Leader)

Back----Dwayne Johnson-Omaha Northwest, 5-10, 170, Senior…..(1,147 yards)

Kicker---Steve Murry-Grand Island, 5-10, 165, Senior

*2nd Team Super-State Defense*

End-----Doug Rohweder-Grand Island, 6-0, 170, Senior

End-----Floyd Stinson-Tecumseh, 6-2, 215, Senior

Tackle--Ken Rosburg-Lincoln Pius X, 6-1, 205, Senior

Tackle--Kym Rush-Axtell, 6-6, 220, Senior

NG------Dave Hamersky-Lincoln High, 5-5, 160, Senior

LB-------Mark Cobalens-Bellevue West, 6-2, 285, Senior

LB-------Kurt Bostwick-Omaha North, 5-10, 175, Senior

LB-------Clark Toner-Grand Island, 6-1, 180, Junior

CB-------Jeff Harelson-Lincoln East, 6-0, 165, Junior

CB-------Tony Ochsner-Sutton, 6-, 185, Senior

Safety---Jerry Walton-Omaha Northwest, 6-2, 170, Senior

Punter--Kyle Klabenes-Milford, 6-1, 175, Senior

*1978 Class A Offense:*

WR------Kurt Grinstead-Papillion, 5-9, 165, Senior

TE-------Bill Weber-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 185, Junior

Tackle--Dan Schmeucker-Omaha Burke, 6-5, 232, Senior

Tackle--Bill Bolte-Omaha North, 6-4, 215, Senior

Guard--Brad Muehling-Lincoln Southeast, 5-11, 185, Senior

Guard--Bill Wheeler-Grand Island, 6-3, 205, Senior

Center-Marty Rocca-Grand Island, 6-1, 220, Senior

QB------Craig Sundberg-Lincoln Southeast, 6-0, 175, Junior

RB------Dwayne Johnson-Omaha Northwest, 5-10, 170, Senior…..(1,327 yards)

RB------Tom Curry-Lincoln Northeast, 5-9, 155, Senior…..(1,245)

FB------Jim Jeffries-Grand Island, 5-11, 191, Senior

Kicker---John Scubiaz-Omaha Gross, 6-0, 160, Senior

*1978 Class A Defense:*

End-----Craig Holman-Omaha Northwest, 6-4, 215, Senior

End-----Jeff Svoboda-Lincoln Northeast, 6-3, 205, Senior

Tackle--Mike Keeler-Omaha Burke, 6-4, 230, Senior

Tackle--John Sherlock-Omaha South, 6-3, 225, Senior

NG------Randy Jostes-Ralston, 6-4, 235, Senior

LB-------Mark Cobalens-Bellevue West, 6-2, 285, Senior

LB-------Kurt Bostwick-Omaha North, 5-10, 175, Senior

LB-------Tab Burch-Papillion, 6-1, 205, Senior

DB-------Doug Moore-Lincoln High, 5-10, 180, Senior

DB-------John Sorensen-Omaha Gross, 6-2, 175, Senior

DB-------Kevin Roddy-Bellevue West, 6-0, 170, Senior

Punter--Scott Schug-Kearney, 6-1, 195, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Thurman Austin-Omaha North; Dan Sweetwood-Omaha Westside; Zane Smith-North Platte; Terry Garrison, Rick Poeschl, Al Bierman-Fremont; Monte Egebritson, Rod Woodward-Hastings; Rich Hauver-Kearney; Willis Sherman, Chris Knaust -Creighton Prep; Mike Hurley-Omaha Roncalli; Jerry Prusha-Omaha Bryan; Todd Zart-Lincoln East; Carl Smith-Omaha Gross; Jeff Renn, Kurt Mortensen-Lincoln SE; Dan King-Lincoln NE; Terry Kurtenbach-Norfolk; Ernest Thomas, Todd Buchanan-Omaha NW; Greg Befort-Grand Island; Brad Jones-Omaha Burke; Monte Buell-Millard; Dusty Reyhel-Bellevue East; Mark King, Scott Liberty-Papillion; Jim Kimsey-Omaha Tech and Rick Chandler-Ralston.

*1978 Class B Offense*

TE-----Greg Stevens-Central City, 6-5, 200, Senior

SE-----Mike Thomas-Elkhorn, 5-11, 150, Senior

Tackle-Deon Fiene-Lexington, 6-3, 240, Senior

Tackle-Mitch Egger-Waverly-, 6-3, 225, Senior

Guard--Rod Rehmer-Sidney, 6-1, 190, Senior

Guard--Bob Greene-Gothenburg, 5-10, 195, Senior

Center-Kelly Isles-Plattsmouth, 6-3, 215, Senior

QB------Dwayne Marvin-McCook, 6-0, 170, Senior

RB----Jeff Briggs-Broken Bow, 5-11, 165, Senior…..(1,207 yards)

HB----Jim Bright-O’Neill, 6-1, 185, Senior…..(2,026 yards)

FB----Scott Porter-Nebraska City, 6-1, 195, Junior…..(1,426 yards)

Kicker---Mark Hagerman-Ainsworth, 6-0, 165, Senior

*1978 Class B Defense*

End----Jim Jirovec-Crete, 6-2, 175, Junior

End----Tom Donovan-Valentine, 6-1, 210, Senior

Tackle-Ken Rosburg-Lincoln Pius X, 6-1, 205, Senior

Tackle-Brent Kennedy-Central City, 6-2, 240, Senior

NG-----Joe LeDuc-Lincoln Pius X, 5-7, 170, Senior

LB------John Beideck-McCook, 6-4, 200, Senior

LB------Marty Coniglio-Lincoln Pius X, 5-10, 175, Senior

LB------Leon Tomkins-O’Neill, 6-0, 185, Junior……..(1,002 yards)

CB------Mike Cielocha-Columbus Scotus, 5-10, 160, Senior

CB------Dan Broekemeier-Central City, 6-0, 160, Senior

Safety--Dave Haase-Aurora, 6-0, 170, Senior

Punter--Dwight Mankin-Hastings Adams Central, 6-1, 175, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Jeff Steffen-Hartington CC; Steve DiGiacinto-Elkhorn Mt. Michael; Joe Eberle, Brad Bohy-Broken Bow; Rod Franzen-Gothenburg; Mike Stuckey-Lexington; Mitch Schwenke-Minden; Brian Shald-Blair; Rob Miller-Wahoo; Mitch Carter-Aurora; Mike Trueblood-Central City; Brad Kreifels-Syracuse; Bob Winters-Waverly; Bill Gallino-Valentine; Tim Trowbridge, Steve Riley-O’Neill; Tim Mueller-Columbus Lakeview; Tim Tinius-Columbus Scotus; Bret Clark-Nebraska City; Mike McClintic, Al Chromy-Schuyler; Tom Oswald-Fairbury; Bob Ferguson, Leo Curd-Chadron; Dan Martin-Hastings Adams Central; Scott Mills-Gordon; Dan Bissell, Ed Woolman, Dan Heibel-Lincoln Pius X; John Schrier-Grand Island Central Catholic and Jim Welniak-Ord.

*1978 Class C-1 Offense*

TE----Mick Wissing-Wood River, 6-3, 190, Senior

SE----Brad Schwab-Bayard, 5-10, 155, Junior

Tackle--Kevn Yoachim-Hebron, 6-0, 200, Senior

Tackle--Ron Woita-Wahoo Neumann, 6-0, 190, Senior

Guard--Jim Brungardt-Norfolk Catholic, 6-0, 190, Senior

Guard--Dave Sherman-Tecumseh, 6-4, 200, Senior

Center-Bruce Meister-Fremont Bergan, 6-4, 190, Senior

QB------Gary Schleppenbach-Pierce, 5-9, 160, Senior

RB------Kevin Bretschneider-Pierce*, 5-9, 165, Senior…..(2,331 yards)

RB------Luke Van Matre-Gibbon, -5-9, 160, Senior …..(1,367 yards

FB------Mark Bolander-Centura, 6-0, 206, Senior

Kicker---Kim Grubaugh-David City, 6-1, 165, Senior

*1978 Class C-1 Defense*

End----Floyd Stinson-Tecumseh, 6-2, 215, Senior

End----John Vasa-Wahoo Neumann, 5-11, 170, Senior

Tackle--Jim Beardslee-Norfolk Catholic, 6-2, 218, Senior

Tackle-Dennis Hengen-Hershey, 6-0, 190, Senior

NG-----Gerry Lauer-Fremont Bergan, 5-11, 165, Senior

LB------Mitch Gerdes*-Hebron, 5-11, 195, Senior

LB------Dave Ridder-West Point Central Catholic, 6-2, 200, Senior

LB------Jim Blowers-Fremont Bergan, 6-0, 210, Senior

CB------Dennis Boesen-Mlford, 6-0, 175, Senior

CB-------Tony Ochsner-Sutton, 6-2, 185, Senior

Safety---Jay Lindstrom-Oakland-Craig, 6-3, 190, Senior

Punter---Kyle Klabenes-Milford, 6-0, 175, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Scott Wickard-Bayard; Ron Bubak-Tekamah-Herman; Scott Higgens, Glenn Wragge-Pierce; Tom Oreter-Neligh; Mitch Lanik-Wahoo Neumann; Dave Mendlik, Mark Mendlik (1,276 yards/Soph.)-Fremont Bergan; Dan Gaunt, Wade Praeuner (1,161 yards)-Battle Creek; Dick Sullivan, Don Laubner, Shane Swanson -Hershey; Brian Dimmitt-Ravenna; Greg Hergott-Hebron; Dave Tietien, Marc Ingram-Louisville; Swahn Borgeson, Jeff Petr-Hastings St. Cecilia; Bruce Schroer-Gibbon; Jeff Nannen-Geneva; Mike Ralston, Todd Abbott-Creighton; Larry Anderson-Plainview; Ron Shurts-Bennington; Ron Soucie-Sandy Creek and Joe Vodicka (1,012 yards)-Rushville.

*1978 Class C-2 Offense*

TE-------Brent Jensen-Nelson, 6-1, 175, Senior

SE-------Randy Oswald-Arapahoe, 5-9, 150, Senior

Tackle--Jim Going-Lyons, 6-7, 206, Junior

Tackle--James Harms-Grant, 6-1, 205, Senior

Guard---Steve Rhodes-Exeter, 6-1, 170, Senior

Guard---Gary Amsberry-Ansley, 5-11, 185, Senior

Center--Mark Benson-Oshkosh, 6-0, 210, Senior

QB-------Joel Long-Grant, 6-2, 175, Junior

RB-------Phil Rohde-Ansley, 6-1, 180, Senior…..(1,154 yards)

RB-------Steve Mikoloyck-Oshkosh, 5-11, 155, Senior…..(1,690 yards)

FB-------Tim Bugay-Kearney Catholic, 5-10, 160, Senior

Kicker---Kurt Goertzen-Henderson, 6-1, 175, Senior

*1978 Class C-2 Defense*

End----Jerry Harms-Minatare, 5-11, 195, Senior

End----Rich Brabec-Clarkson, 6-1, 190, Senior

Tackle-Steve Loeffler-Grant, 6-6, 225, Senior

Tackle-Pat Clark-Clay Center, 6-1, 230, Junior

MG-----Mike Tranmer*-Lyons, 6-2, 200, Senior

LB------Rick Hamilton-Stuart, 6-1, 185, Senior

LB------Lyndon Wieseman-Osceola, 6-2, 200, Senior

LB------Chris Hergert-Hartington, 5-10, 185, Senior

CB------Tony Sabatka-East Butler, 5-9, 155, Senior

CB------Greg Sis-Grant, 5-9, 165, Senior

Safety--Darrin Harsin-Grant, 5-9, 140, Senior

Punter---Steve Johnson-Clay Center-6-0, 185, Senior

Honorable Mention:

Milt Wemhoff-Humphrey St. Francis; Jack Conneally, Paul Cleveland-Hyannis; Kirk Schroeder-Wynot; Jeff Pribnow, Scott Cordes-Scribner; Dean Leiss-Republican Valley; Mike Taylor, Gene McKinstray-Weeping Water (1,328 yards); Dean Milander-Hartington; Greg Bohling-Nelson; Bill Hotovy, Tom Smaus-East Butler; Mike Brabec-Clarkson; Mike Williamson, Lee Ickes (1,109 yards)-Orchard; Dave Forney-Ponca; Troy Menghini-Oshkosh; Craig Baker, Joe Johnson-Stromsburg; Dwayne Tonniges, Joe Graham-Osceola; Rusty Arnold, Steve Downey-Anselmo-Merna; Jim Lyons-Humboldt; Brian DeBord-Clay Center: Todd Clark-St. Edward and Russ Bahensky-Palmer.

*1978 Class D Offense (11-Man)*

TE-------Stan Sunblade-Loomis, 6-0, 160, Senior

SE-------Randy Krieger-Spencer, 5-10, 150, Senior

Tackle--Mark Witte-Cambridge, 6-1, 195, Junior

Tackle--Brian McAllister-Spencer, 6-2, 185, Senior

Guard--Ed Stansberry-Walthill, 5-5, 155, Senior

Guard--Scott Janssen-Coleridge, 6-0, 210, Senior

Center--Elon Kasl-Dorchester, 5-9, 172, Senior

QB------John Miller-Walthill, 6-1, 180, Senior

RB------Billy Velder-Dorchester, 5-10, 175, Senior…..(1,018 yards)

RB------Mike Adams-Spencer, 5-7, 160, Senior…..(1,321 yards)

FB------Tim Peterson-Cambridge, 5-11, 166, Junior….(1,650 yards)

Kicker--Mike Adams-Spencer, 5-7, 160, Senior….(selected at two positions)

*1978 Class D Defense (11-Man)*

End----Barry Jackson-Walthill, 5-8, 160, Senior

End----John Lueking-Oxford, 6-2, 185, Senior

Tackle-Kym Rush-Axtell, 6-6, 220, Senior

Tackle-Dave Leggott-Elwood, 6-1, 195, Senior

MG-----Chuck Highland-Cambridge, 6-0, 195, Senior

LB------Jim Swanson-Walthill, 5-7, 165, Senior…..(1,114 yards)

LB------Doug Rayburn-Cambridge, 5-11, 170, Senior

LB------Russ Stansberry-Walthill, 5-7, 160, Senior

CB------Tom Bednar-Sumner, 6-0, 185, Senior…..(1,062 yards)

CB------Sam Tingelhoff-Lexington St. Ann, 5-9, 160, Senior

Safety--Scott Hudson-Polk, 6-1, 170, Senior

Punter-Scott Hudson-Polk, 6-1, 170, Senior (Selected @ two positions)

*Honorable Mention:

Bill Popple, Alan Wendell, Mike Ryan-Axtell; Kelly Lechtenburg-Butte; Jim Russman-Bancroft; Terry Eagleston, Brian Anderson,Jay Hornagle-Sumner; Mike Breen-Oxford; John Anders-Bertrand; Darren Sameulson-Loomis; Chuck Highland-Cambridge; Perry Miller-Walthill; Dave Shenk, Terry Bender (1,156 yards)-Polk; Troy Madge-Newcastle; Greg Carr-Allen; Leland King-Amherst; Mike Goracke, Terry Brown-Lexington St. Ann; Gary Paitz, Mike O’Neill-Pleasanton and Joe Kresser-Orleans.

*1978 Eight Man Offense*

End----Dan Ott-Trumbull, 6-1, 180, Senior

End----Lane Walker-Eustis, 6-2, 195, Senior

Guard-Doug Zach-Humphrey, 6-2, 225, Senior

Guard-Terry Heithoff-Elgin-Verdon, 6-2, 200, Senior

Center-Kim Asmus-Beemer, 5-11, 220, Senior -

QB------Pat Haschke-Greeley, 6-0, 168, Senior

Back----Craig Hass*-Beemer, 5-8, 160, Junior…..(1,526 yards)

Back----Dave Fischer-Dawson-Verdon, 5-8,170, Senior…..(1,792 yards)

Kicker--Fred Schultz-Beemer, 5-10, 170, Senior

*1978 Eight Man Defense*

End----Jeff Liberty-Dawson-Verdon, 5-11, 217, Senior

End----Tim Skinner-Hordville, 6-2, 205, Senior

Guard-Dan Wordekemper-Beemer, 6-3, 195, Senior

Guard-Dean Steinkuhler-Sterling, 6-2, 220, Senior

LB-----Mike Cooper Bladen, 6-3, 190, Senior

LB-----Kirk Wilson-Maywood, 6-2, 200, Senior…….(1,266 yards)

DB-----Mike Nordhues-Greeley, 5-9, 150, Senior

DB-----Jeff Struebing-Rising City, 5-9, 165, Senior

Punter-Blaine Ream-Bruning, 5-10, 180, Senior

*Honorable Mention:

Bob Auxier, Rod Burget-Dawson-Verdon; Dan Hall-McCool Junction; Marty Fye-Wauneta; Mike Eastman-Giltner (1,004 yards); Bill Wilcox-Nebraska Christian (1,003 yards); Bruce

Buhr-Filley; John Laflin, Kevin Malone-Lewiston (1,004 yards); Bryan Kroese, Brad Hesser-Adams; Kevin Duis-Odell; Mark Schoenholz-Bruning; Steve Pietzyk-Elm Creek; Bill Erb-Shickley; Brad Palensky-Bradshaw; Rick Micek-Shelby; John Hartman-Paxton (1,044 yards); Dallas Dodson-Maywood; John Beard, Mark Johnson-Decatur (1,035 yards); Mark Kroger-Rosalie; Terry Herchenbach, Rick Korth-Lindsay Holy Family; Lee Tomjack-Chambers; Tim Gabriel-Republican City (1,020 yards); Calvin Treat-Doniphan; Bill Armstrong-Elgin; Gene Colson-Bartley (1,109 yards); Dennis Turner-Loup County; Bob Zahm-Greeley; Donovan Schuster-Sterling; Gerald Frerichs-Leyton; Kevin Schuessler-Potter; Dan Ricehill-Winnebago.

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Top 10 Rushers in 1978

Kevin Bretschneider-Pierce...………... .2,331 Sr. (Single Season Rushing Record)

Jim Bright-O’Neill………………………..2,026 Sr.

Dave Fischer-Dawson-Verdon………...1,792 Sr.

Steve Mikoloyck-Oshkosh……………..1,690 Sr

Tim Peterson-Cambridge……………...1,650 Jr.

Monty Vance-Bladen…………………...1,526 Sr.

Craig Hass-Beemer…………….….…...1,569 Jr

Scott Porter-Nebraska City.…….……..1,426 Sr.

Mike Nordhues-Greeley………..….…...1,393 Sr..

Luke Van Matre-Gibbon…....……….….1,357 Sr.