Week Four Friday Night Lights Football Heroes - Part 3

*Aquinas Head Coach Ron Mimick - The Monarch head man, who would probably insist he’s not a Legend, notched win number 300 when Aquinas whipped Ponca 49-7 last Friday. The man whose career stands at 300 wins and only 116 losses, is only the 9th coach in Nebraska high school football history to reach the coveted 300 Win Club.

I haven’t met many high school coaches in my life that know the game better than Ron Mimick. A deeply religious man and student of the game, Coach Mimick has created a tradition at Aquinas few other institutions can match.

The Scotus grad learned from some of the best and has developed some unique training techniques that are formulated to make the usually undersized Monarchs (especially in the line) very difficult to deal with on either side of the football.

Like the Eight 300 Career Win Coaches who came before him, Ron Mimick always has a terrific staff surrounding him. One in particular is Defensive Coordinator Tony Smith, who, like Mimick, is one of the Best in the Business. Doesn’t hurt to have played football at Notre Dame either.

And now, it’s time for Bobby Micek, as Coach Ron Mimick still calls me to this day, to list the Nine Coaching Legends who have reached that coveted 300 career win mark.

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Jeff Bellar-Norfolk Catholic………………..360-70 (Active)

Carl Tesmer-Hastings St. Cecilia………....349-98-2 (Retired)

Mark Wortman-Elkhorn……………………..345-89 (Active)

Tom Jaworski-Creighton Prep…………….343-92 (Retired)

Gary DeBoer-Lawrence-Nelson…………...319-110-4 (Retired)

Doug Goltz-Falls City Sacred Heart………310-53 (Active)

Tim Turman-Bishop Neumann…………….307-159-2 (Retired)

Fred Petitio-Millard North…………………..306-152 (Active)

Ron Mimick-Aquinas Catholic……………..300-116 (Active)

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*Tommy Stevens, Chanticleer O-Line-Ord - The Class C-1, 6th rated Chants leaned on running back Tommy Stevens in the Central City game last week and the 5-9, 185 pound junior came through with flying colors.

The Chanticleer strongman ran for 305 yards on 31 carries and hit paydirt with runs of 3, 71, 1 and 8 yards in Ords 44-21 victory over Central City. He also had a 6 yard pass reception and was in on 5 tackles on defense.

Stevens has rushed 93 times for 645 yards and 8 touchdowns in just four games for Coach Nate Well this season. Between he and quarterback Zach Smith, the Chants have a deadly one-two pinch in that backfield and an offensive line that can get the job done. Let’s give those men up from some props.

#52, (LT) Trey Warner (215, Soph), #68, (LG) C.V. Hoevet (6-0, 215, Sr.), #68, (C) Jesus Loya (6-5, 285, Sr.), #70, (RG) Jacob Brown (6-0, 225, Jr.) and #74, (LT) Riley Setlik (6-5, 300, Jr.).

In case you hadn’t noticed, this Ord bunch has a really solid football team.

**1000 Yard Passing Alert**

- This guy is nothing short of amazing. Last season, if I remember correctly, Nate Glantz and Tristan Gomes were waging quite a battle for the starting quarterback position at Millard West. I think they alternated the first two games of the 2018 season, then Gomes pretty much took over.

So, Glantz ends the 2018 season completing 16 of 32 passes for 236 yards, 4 touchdowns, with no interceptions. But with Gomes tabbed as the starting quarterback at Millard Westmin 2019, it appears to me that Mr. Glantz wanted another shot at the quarterback position, but elsewhere

Now, we fast forward to the present time and find the 6-0, 180 pound Nate Glantz at Bellevue West and capably filling the shoes of the graduated Evan Kieser, who threw for 2,445 yards and 29 TDs last season. That’ a far cry from 236 yards and 4 TDs folks.

But Glantz stepped in for the Thunderbirds this season and blew past his 2018 total of 236 yards at some point during Bellevue West’s opening game 63-6 victory over Lincoln High.

Last Friday, in the T-Birds 36-13 win over previously unbeaten and 7th ranked Elkhorn South, Nate Glantz competed a sizzling 20 of 28 passes for 266 yards and three TDs. That vaulted Nate’s 2019 passing yard total to 1,154 yards with 13 touchdowns and NO interceptions. And don’t forget the dude has also rushed for 220 yards this season.

And now you know why the Thunderbirds are favorites to capture the Class A State Championship in 2019. No, Nate Glantz doesn’t do it all, but his presence certainly reinforces an already killer roster that features Jay Ducker, Zavier Watts, Keagan Johnson, Kaden Helms, Thomas Ault and the Thunderhogs on offense, plus defensive studs like Jack McDonnell, Jayden Roberts, Christian Lilienkamp, Kier Kier, Matt Thompson, Devin Mills and Cruz Jurado, who also does the kicking.

We’ll see these dudes Friday night at Lincoln Pius X.

*Quade Myers, Serbando Diaz, Corbin Homer, Tiger O-Line-Dundy Co/Stratton -

Tigers rushed for 488 yards as a team in a 72-26 win over Kimball. QB Quade Myers rambled for 232 yards on 18 carries and 4 touchdowns, Serbando Diaz added 161 yards on 13 totes and another 4 TDs, while Corbin Homer, just a freshman, chipped in 83 yards on 8 tries with a pair of scores.

Three game season totals are as follows; QB Quade Myers - 42 carries for 482 yards (9 TDs), Serbando Diaz - 38 carries, 375 yards (11 TDs). Myers is just a sophomore and Serbando, a junior. Both were 1000 yard rushers a year ago.

Anyone that knows the game of football, realizes that Myers, Serbando or Homer would go nowhere without an outstanding Offensive Line. And just like Bellevue West above, it’s high time we salute those terrific Dundy County/Stratton men in the trenches, and they are; Seniors: Lane Shillington (5-10, 170), Reice Haines (5-11, 170), Dominic Sis (5-10, 165) and Jesus Olivas (5-10, 185).

Juniors: Delton Haines (5-10, 230) and Keegan Krutsinger (6-5, 265).

*Evan Johnson, Gabe Conant -Adams Central - Johnson is first of two Hastings quarterbacks that lit up the skies last Friday. The 4 year starter for Coach Shawn Mulligan completed 14 of 23 passes for 226 yards and 3 TDs in the Patriots 32-14 win over previously undefeated Gothenburg.

That raised Evan’s season passing yardage total to 760 yards with 10 TDs and just 1 INT. It also raises the talented Johnson’s career total to 6,168 yards through the air with 64 touchdowns.

Two time thousand yard rusher Gabe Conant had his best game of the 2019 season against the Swedes, rolling for 156 yards on 26 carries. Conant reached the end zone three times with runs of 14, 21 yards and a 14 yard pass reception.

Gabe Conant’s 4 game rushing total for 2019 currently stands at 365 yards (6 TDs)

*Jarrett Synek-Hastings High - Junior QB shredded Gering’s defense with his 266 yards passing and 5 touchdowns in the Tigers 45-0 win. Synek not only completed 14 of 23 passes, but ran the ball six times for 41 yards to keep that Gering defense honest all evening.

Jarrett’s 5 touchdown passes were spread out amongst Carson Shoemaker, who had 6 catches for 100 yards and one TD. Austin Nauert had 4 receptions for 61 yards and two TDs, while Braden Kalvelage caught only two Jarrett Synek passes, but both went for scores and totalled 81 yards.

That raises Jarrett’s 2019 passing yards total to 999 yards (9 TDs). I wonder if all those 9’s mean something?

*Sebastian Harsh, Jacob Krul, Big Sam Clarkson-Scottsbluff - First of all, there may not be a more freakishly athletic guy in the state than Scottsbluff’s Sebastian Harsh, and his stat line against Sterling Colorado last Friday will reflect that statement.

In a 36-14 win over the Tigers, who were 3-0 at the time, the 6-3, 225 pound quarterback completed 8 of 13 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, rushed 15 times for 153 yards plus 3 more scores, made 13 tackles on defense with an incredible 11 solo stops, kicked off four times and put three in the end zone for touchbacks, and punted once for 50 yards.

And remember, Sebastian Harsh plays outside linebacker on that Bearcat defense. Not too many QBs in the state that double up like that. This dude is a Division I football prospect, period.

Jacob Krul had his usual solid offensive game for the Bluffs, rushing for 144 yards on 22 carries and a TD. He also caught a pair of Sebastian Harsh passes for 21 yards.

And then there’s Big Sam Clarkson. The return of No. 55 to that Bearcat offensive line in 2019 has turned a very good Scottsbluff team into a great Scottsbluff team.

It is a chilling sight when you see Sam Clarkson’s huge 6-6, 270 pound frame raise up from that lineman’s stance and come rolling around the left side to lead a sweep. If you are a defender, it may be more advisable to just trip over a stripe on the turf before Big Sam gets there to bury you into that same turf.

Before we get to our next Friday Night Hero, let’s check some four game totals for Sebastian and Jacob.

Harsh; 16 of 31 passing for 336 yards, 4 TDs/1 INT. 66 carries, 636 yards rushing (12 TDs). 31 tackles, 1 blocked FG. Krul; 80 carries-657 yards/5 TDs, 741 All-Purpose yards, and 5 tackles on defense with one INT.

Can Scottsbluff make a repeat trip to Lincoln this season?

*Austin Endorf, Ethan Mullally, Cody Prohaska-North Bend Central - The passing of sharpshooter Austin Endorf, coupled with the crisp running junior Ethan Mullally and heads-up defensive play of Cody Prohaska, proved to be the winning combination in the Tigers 24-17 overtime win over previously unbeaten Grand Island Central Catholic.

The outstanding Austin Endorf, who is just two passing yards shy of the coveted 5,000 yard mark in his 22 game career, completed 21 of 36 tosses for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns (to Cody Prohaska and Cody Pospisil) in the big win.

Meanwhile, Ethan Mullally bolted for 166 big ones on 23 carries and a touchdown. Prohaska, who caught half a dozen passes for an even 100 yards, was huge on defense, making 5 tackles, recovering a Crusader fumble and pirating a GICC pass.

Season totals; Austin Endorf - 77 of 109 passes (70%) for 836 yards (11 TDs), Ethan Mullally; 74 carries, 619 yards, 8 TDs and Cody Prohaska; 18 receptions, 213 yards, 1 TD, 21 tackles on defense.

North Bend is now 4-0 on the year and rated #10 in Class C-1.

*Ty Erwin, Noah Schutte-Laurel-Concord-Coleridge - Pass/catch combination was deadly in LCC’s 40-20 victory over Osmond. Ty Erwin, a 6-0, 170 pound senior, who played tight end a year ago, blitzed Osmond with his 18 of 33 passing for 213 yards and 4 touchdown night.

2018 All-State, thousand yard receiver Noah Schutte was his favorite target (bet you never could have guessed that), gathering in 12 of those aerials for a monster 185 yards and two TDs. Both of Schutte’s clutch scoring passes of 13, 24 yards came in the 4th quarter. And, this guy says Noah Schutte is without a doubt, one of the finest overall athletes in the state of Nebraska, regardless of class.

6-0, 210 pound senior Dylan Reimers had the remaining pair of TD receptions that covered 8 and 10 yards. Laurel-Concord-Coleridge is now 3-0 but is not yet rated in due to a deep pool of excellent Class D-1 Eight Man football teams this season.

*Tyler Larby-Atkinson West Holt - 5-9, 165 pound junior quarterback had a night to remember in the Huskies 48-36 win over Clearwater/Orchard. Larby ran for 189 yards on 28 carries and scored 4 times on short blasts of 1, 1, 1 and 3 yards. He also completed 9 of 22 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns, made 5 tackles on defense and had an interception.

West Holt, who had dropped their first two games to Class D-1 top rated Burwell (21-48) and powerful 3-0 Neligh/Oakdale (12-56), proved they could put some points on the board last week.

Tyler Larby has 369 passing (6 TDs) and 346 yards rushing (5 TDs) in three games this season.

*Joey Braasch, Garrett Esch-Columbus - Columbus improved to 3-1 with the Discoverers 33-13 win over Fremont. Garrett Esch, a terrific looking 6-1, 180 pound junior, rushed for 165 yards on 19 touches and scored on runs of 5, 24 yards. He also caught three CJ Fleeman passes for 54 yards.

Joey Braasch rushed 6 times for 47 yards and scored TDs on runs of 3, 7 yards. The 205 pound senior speedster also picked off a Fremont pass and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown.

6-3, 185 pound junior QB, CJ Fleeman completed 10 of 16 passes for 162 yards in the win.

*Dana Hobbs-McCool Junction - 5-8, 155 pound senior scored six touchdowns on runs of 35, 30, 5, 23, 4 and 68 yards in McCool’s 68-15 win over Silver Lake in Six-Man football action last week. The Mustangs are currently rated #2 in the state behind Harvard in those 6-Man football ratings. The two teams do not meet during the regular season.