Nebraska Eight Man Football Coaches Association 2023 Hall of Fame Salutes - Neil Woofter

My salute to the Nebraska High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2023 continues leading up to induction day during the halftime break of the Sertoma 8-Man All-Star Game to be contested Saturday, June 18th at Hastings College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

It is my honor to introduce another member of the NEMFCA 2023 Hall of Fame inductee, The Lewiston Legend himself, Neil Woofter.

COACH NEIL WOOFTER – LEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL

In the Fall of 1976, Neil began what would become a Hall of Fame coaching career that spanned over five decades. He dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to the Lewiston program and compiled a career record of 173 wins and 117 losses. During that span, he also led 13 teams to the state playoffs, with 2 of them reaching the state semi-finals (1986 & 1987). Then in 2001, Coach Woofter’s Lewiston Team reached the pinnacle of our sport by capturing the Class D-2 State Football Title.

His career highlights also include being named assistant coach in the 1981 All Star Game and later serving as head coach of the East in 1987. Over the years, Coach Woofter sent 15 of his players to the All-Star game (including his son Steven in 1990). He was also a member of the coaching staff for the NE. vs. OK. All-Star Games in 2005 & 2006. Neil retired in 2006, but continued to help the team for years- even returning for one final season as head coach in 2010. Coach Woofter’s proudest moments have come when his former players return to let him know how much they enjoyed their time as a Tiger. Throughout the years, his contributions have continued on as a game day statistician for the 8-Man All Star game. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him into the Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

1000 Yard Guy Sez; Coach Neal Woofter put together a masterpiece in that 2001 Claas D-2 Championship overtime win (34-32) over Greeley. I was on the sidelines for that one (as I always am) and had preached that I personally did not think any team that passed on over 50% of their plays could ever win a championship, especially in 8-Man football.

Matter of fact, I wrote an article on it back in the day and it is indeed a rare occasion when a “Passing” offense wins a state title in Nebraska high school football. Coach Woofter and his quarterback Dion Parks proved me otherwise on this day back in 2001 in that win over Greeley.

The 6-1, 225 pound Parks threw for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns despite losing his top receiver (Ben Ideus) inside two and a half minutes in the 3rd quarter. Ideus had to be transported to Bryan LGH Medical Center East after a tough hit.

That Lewiston team was visibly shaken after losing their incredible receiver, who had racked an incredible 1,746 yards and 28 TDs in 2001 before that hit. But Woofter, Parks and the Tigers pulled it together to come away with the victory, proving the great coaching ability of Neil Woofter.

Parks ended up with an 8-Man state passing record 2,943 yards with 40 touchdowns that season, proving the 1000 Yard Guy wrong about “passing teams” and state championships.

Coach Neil Woofter, they just don’t come much better than you and your sparkling career at Lewiston high school. Welcome to the Hall, SIR!