The Nebraska High School All-State Football Project - Revisiting 1983

By Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

*Here is a Christmas Day trip back in time 40 years to revisit the 1983 Nebraska State High School Football playoffs. Enjoy the trip back in time. I’m sure you will recognize many of these names. An 18-year-old senior would be 58 years old right now. *

The 1983 State Football Playoffs were held during the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth weeks of the football season. On Wednesday, November 2, Class A quarterfinals and the First Round for the remaining five classes were held.

On Monday, November 7, the Class A semifinals and the quarterfinals for the other classes were held. The Class A finals and the semifinals for the other classes were held Saturday, November 12. The finals for Classes B, C1, C2, D1 and D2 were held Friday, November 18.

Class A was made up of the 32 largest schools; the next 64 largest schools were Class B; the remainder of the schools playing 11-man football were divided into C1 and C2, C1 has 53 schools and C2 has 54 schools. The D1 and D2 classes were all the schools playing 8-man football. There were 71 schools in D1 and 74 schools in D2. Eleven schools played 6-man football.

*The NSAA expanded the playoff fields from 8 to 16 teams in Class B, C-1, C-2, 8-Man-1 and 8-Man-2. The Class A field remained the same with 8 teams qualifying for the postseason.

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1983 Football Playoff Results:

*Class A*

Quarterfinals:

(7-2) Omaha Burke 14-9 Omaha Northwest (8-1)

(7-2) Creighton Prep 17-0 Scottsbluff (7-1) (@ Omaha Burke, 7:30 pm)

(8-1) Lincoln East 14-13 Columbus (8-1) (@ Seacrest Field, 7:30)

(7-2) Omaha Gross 24-14 Omaha South (7-2) (@ Bergquist Stadium, 7:30)

Semifinals:

(8-2) Creighton Prep 22-21 Omaha Burke (8-2) (@ UNO, 7:30 pm)

(8-2) Omaha Gross 24-7 Lincoln East (9-1) (@ Berquist Stadium, 7:30)

Final: (at UNO) (Att: 9,000 est.)

(9-2) Creighton Prep 25-21 Omaha Gross (9-2)

Champion: Creighton Prep (10-2), Head Coach - Tom Jaworski

*The Game Story*

**Originally scheduled for Saturday, November 12th, the powers-to-be postponed this one to Monday the 14th. My guess is that the UNO home football game, coupled with Nebraska’s home closer with Kansas, caused the switch because of the fear that there would simply not be enough fans to go around.

At any rate, Creighton Prep’ seniors ended 4 years of frustration, aka losing to Omaha Gross, with the thrilling 25-21 win over those powerful Cougars. The key to the Jays victory was definitely 175 pound senior quarterback Brad Kucera and his ability to scramble in the backfield to avoid sacks from that swarming Gross defense.

Kucera attempted only 11 passes in the game, but completed seven of those, a pair going for touchdowns. The senior QB found Eric Miller for a 53 yard scoring connection and Prep’s second TD of the opening quarter. Kucera also hit Dave Tom Czykowski for a 23 yard TD strike to open the 3rd quarter and erase a 14-13 Omaha Gross halftime lead.

That Junior Jays 21-14 lead would not last through that 3rd stanza though.

The Omaha Gross spectacular pass/catch duo of quarterback John Dostal and Paul Parr was nearly impossible to defend and the 3rd quarter was no different. Dostal ended the night completing 8 of 15 aerials for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Parr covering 32 and 83 yards, the latter long-distance touchdown grab giving the Cougars a 21-19 lead with 5:51 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Junior Jays Dave Santoni scored what proved to be the winning touchdown (3 yard run) before that 3rd quarter came to an end.

There was no scoring in the final stanza and Creighton Prep held on for its second Class A state football championship since 1980.

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*Class B*

1st Round Top Bracket:

(8-0) Grand Island Central Catholic 13-2 Boys Town (6-2) (@ GI Memorial Stadium, 7:30)

(8-1) Ord 14-6 Mitchell (8-1) (@ Mitchell, 8:30 CST)

(7-2) Aurora 6-0 Grand Island Northwest (7-2) (@ Aurora, 7:30)

(8-1) Wayne 13-10 Crete (7-2) (@ Wayne State College, 7:30)

1st Round Bottom Bracket:

(8-1) Raymond Central 45-6 Sidney (7-2) (@ Raymond, 7:30)

(8-1) Minden 39-16 Mitchell (7-2) (@ Minden, 7:30 CST)

(7-2) Platteview 23-8 Pierce (9-0) (@ Pierce, 7:30)

(8-1) Hartington Cedar Catholic 21-7 Waverly (7-2) (@ Hartington, 7:30)

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Grand Island Central Catholic 14-0 Ord (9-1) (@ Ord, 7:30)

(8-2) Aurora 9-7 Wayne (9-1) (@ Wayne State College, 7:30)

(9-1) Raymond Central 27-12 Minden (9-1) (@ Minden, 7:30)

(8-2) Platteview 15-12 Hartington Cedar Catholic (9-0) (@ Platteview, 7:30)

Semifinals:

(10-0) Grand Island Central Catholic 12-7 Aurora (9-2) (@ GI Memorial Stadium, 7:30)

(9-2) Platteview 14-8 Raymond Central (10-1) (@ Raymond, 7:30)

Final: (at Grand Island Memorial Stadium, 7:30)

(10-2) Platteview 6-0 Grand Island Central Catholic (11-0)

Champion: Platteview (11-2), Head Coach - Dennis Mahaney

*The Game Story*

**I opted to skip this Class B championship matchup just 8 blocks away from my house. Despite being a GICC grad and the Crusaders being rated #1 going into this contest, the Platteview line concerned me and frankly the game looked like a defensive, low scoring struggle on paper. It turned out to be just that.

Platteview coach Dennis Mahaney was convinced his O-Line could control the ball on offense and his D-Line stuff GICC when his Trojans were on that side of the ball.

He was right.

Tenth rated Platteview not only controlled the GICC offense all evening, but owned the time of possession part of the game when the Trojans had the ball.

Platteview ate up most of the first quarter before giving up the ball on downs on the Crusader nine. The Trojan “D” then forced GICC into a 4 and out, got the ball back and fashioned an 11 play, 46 yard scoring drive, culminating with a 1 yard TD dive by Monte Nitzel. The clock read Platteview 6, GICC 0 with 9:05 left in the second quarter and the scoring was completed for the evening.

The Trojans needed just 190 total yards to win the game, meanwhile limiting Central Catholic to a meager 162 total yards. The Platteview pass defense was so fierce, it forced Crusader quarterback Rob White into a 2 for 8 passing night with only 40 yards to show for it. Matter of fact, the Platteview secondary pirated three GICC passes and may have totalled more interception return yards than the Crusaders 40 offensive passing yards.

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*Class C1*

1st Round Top Bracket:

(8-0) Wilber-Clatonia 42-12 Tecumseh (6-2) (@ Wilber, 7:30)

(8-1) Oakland-Craig 21-7 Tri-County (8-1) (@ DeWitt, 7:30)

(7-2) Gibbon 17-6 Republican Valley (7-2) (@ Gibbon, 7:30)

(8-1) Plainview 40-0 Bayard (7-2) (@ Plainview, 7:30)

1st Round Bottom Bracket:

(8-1) Emerson-Hubbard 36-6 Fremont Bergan (7-2) (@ Emerson, 7:30)

(8-1) North Platte St. Pats 22-20 Centura (7-2) (@ Centura, 7:30)

(7-2) Norfolk Catholic 33-0 Wisner-Pilger (9-0) (@ Norfolk, 7:30)

(8-1) Bennington 27-20 (OT) Randolph (7-2) (@ Bennington, 7:30)

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Wilber-Clatonia 12-6 Oakland-Craig (9-1) (@ Oakland, 7:30)

(8-2) Gibbon 17-3 Plainview (9-1) (@ Plainview, 7:30)

(8-1) North Platte St. Pats 25-6 Emerson-Hubbard (9-1) (@ North Platte)

(8-2) Norfolk Catholic 33-0 Bennington (9-1) (@ Bennington, 7:30)

Semifinals:

(9-2) Gibbon 10-6 Wilber-Clatonia (10-0) (@ Wilber 7:30),

(8-2) Norfolk Catholic 32-0 North Platte St. Pats (9-1) (@ Norfolk, 7:30)

Final: (@ Norfolk) (Att: 3,200 est.)

(10-2) Norfolk Catholic 7-3 Gibbon (11-0)

Champion: Norfolk Catholic (11-2), Head Coach - Mike Bohaty

*The Game Story*

**So dominating was Mike Bohaty’s Norfolk Catholic defense in the 1983 C-1 playoffs, the Knights nearly made it through its four playoff games unscored upon. Had it not been for an opening quarter, 35 yard Randy Leonard field goal in the title game, Catholic would have pulled it off.

After posting shutout wins over Wisner-Pilger (33-0), Bennington (33-0), and North Platte St. Pats (32-0), the Knights finally met their match in the C-1 Finals with Gibbon and their defense had to come through to turn back a terrific Jon Wibbels coached Gibbon squad.

Offensive yards were at a premium in this baby, but seemed not for Norfolk Catholic running back Jeff Sok, who dented the Gibbon defense for 128 yards on 18 carries and the game's only touchdown.

A good chunk of Sok’s yards came on a third quarter, 50 yard run that carried from the Norfolk Catholic 36 yard line to the Buffaloes 14. Sok would end up scoring the lone touchdown of the contest on a six yard blast that came 4 plays after his 50 yard sprint.

Sok’s touchdown, coupled with Mark Finnigan’s PAT kick, gave the Knights a 7-3 lead. Prior to that, Gibbon owned a 3-0 lead on that Randy Leonard 1st quarter field goal.

The Buffaloes looked like they may pull this one out when they drove all the way to just inside the Norfolk Catholic 10 yard line with under 5 minutes remaining in the game. But Catholic linebackers Mike Timmer and Chris Welch combined to stop a Gibbon ball carrier at the Knights 3 yard line on a 4th and Goal to preserve the win for Coach Mike Bohaty.

Both Timmer and Welch ended the game with 16 tackles apiece.

….When we think of Norfolk Catholic and that school's domination on the football field over the years, the name Jeff Bellar is the first name that comes to mind. Coach Bellar reminded me a few years back in 2017 that it was one Mike Bohaty who was instrumental in putting the Norfolk Catholic football team on the map, setting the stage for Coach Bellar’s phenomenal gridiron success at that school.

Now you know.

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*Class C2*

1st Round Top Bracket:

(8-0) Humphrey St. Francis 21-7 Genoa (6-2) (@ Humphrey, 2:30)

(8-1) Stromsburg 42-21 Dodge (8-1) (@ Stromsburg, 7:30)

(7-2) Hastings St. Cecilia 40-7 Rushville (7-2) (@ Hastings College, 7:30)

(8-1) O’Neill St. Marys 43-12 Arapahoe (7-2) (@ O’Neill, 7:30)

1st Round Bottom Bracket:

(8-1) Henderson 37-7 Hyannis (7-2) (@ Henderson, 7:30)

(8-1) Harvard 47-12 Ponca (7-2) (@ Harvard, 7:30)

(7-2) Alma 21-7 Red Cloud (9-0) (@ Alma, 7:30)

(8-1) Grant 35-6 East Butler (7-2) (@ Grant, 7:30)

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Humphrey St. Francis 21-17 Stromsburg (9-1) (@ Norfolk, 7:30)

(8-2) Hastings St. Cecilia 20-7 O’Neill St. Marys (9-1) (@ O’Neill, 7:30)

(9-1) Henderson 27-0 Harvard (9-1) (@ Henderson, 7:30)

(9-1) Grant 22-0 Alma (8-2) (@ Grant, 8:30)

Semifinals:

(9-2) Hastings St. Cecilia 27-25 Humphrey St. Francis (10-0) (@ Hastings College, 7:30)

(10-1) Henderson 48-28 Grant (10-1) (@ Grant, 8:30)

Final: (at Henderson)

(11-1) Henderson 28-0 Hastings St. Cecilia (11-0)

Champion: Henderson (12-1), Head Coach - Galen Kronhofman

*The Game Story*

**This 28-0 Class C-2 championship victory by Henderson will forever be clouded by the crippling injury to Huskie starter Jerry Ediger that occurred on the opening kickoff. Ediger attempted to meet powerful St. Cecilia 1000 yard rusher Chris Bartunek head-on during the play but ended up breaking his C4 and C5 vertebrae.

The injury left Ediger paralyzed from the neck down for life, although he does have enough hand movement to eat, write and “drive recklessly” as he puts it.

It put a somber damper on a terrific victory for Coach Galen Kronhofman and star player John Kroeker and the talented cast of Henderson players surrounding him. Although the Huskie football team did not realize the severity of Ediger’s injury at the time, it took a monumental effort on their part to turn back a very tough St. Cecilia football team coached then by Bob DeSimone.

John Kroeker was never better on this night, establishing a playoff record with his 197 yards on 37 carries and TD runs covering 4, 3 and 4 yards. Meanwhile the Henderson defense was limiting the hard running Bartunek to just 45 yards on 10 totes.

Henderson out yarded the Bluehawks 383 to 208 for the game. 327 of those yards for Henderson came on the ground.

*{There is a terrific article about Jerry Ediger written by Katie Tiller that was published on May 1, 2018 in “The Oconee Enterprise” newspaper that comes out of Watkinsville, Georgia. Very interesting and well written piece describing the life of a man who has made the best of his terrible injury by serving God.}

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*Class D-1 (Eight-Man 1)*

1st Round Top Bracket:

(8-0) Humphrey 20-4 Elm Creek (6-2) (@ Humphrey, 7:30)

(8-1) Beemer 52-6 Oshkosh (8-1) (@ Beemer, 7:30)

(7-2) Stuart 16-12 Leyton (7-2) (@ Stuart, 7:30)

(8-1) Leigh 28-8 Adams (7-2) (@ Adams, 7:30)

1st Round Bottom Bracket:

(8-1) Palmer 48-12 Mullen (7-2) (@ Palmer, 7:30)

(8-1) Nebraska Christian 40-14 Winside (7-2) (@ Nebraska Christian, 7:30)

(7-2) Winnebago 38-26 Ansley (9-0) (@ Winnebago, 7:30)

(8-1) Lawrence 32-21 North Loup/Scotia (7-2) (@ Lawrence, 7:30)

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Humphrey 30-20 Beemer (9-1) (@ Humphrey, 7:30)

(9-1) Leigh 23-19 Stuart (8-2) (@ Stanton, 7:30)

(9-1) Palmer 28-22 (OT) Nebraska Christian (9-1) (@ Palmer, 7:30)

(9-1) Lawrence 55-32 Winnebago (8-2) (@ Lawrence, 7:30)

Semifinals:

(10-0) Humphrey 22-6 Leigh (10-1) (@ Humphrey, 7:30)

(10-1) Lawrence 38-6 Palmer (10-1) (@ Lawrence, 7:30 )

Final: (@ Humphrey) (Att: 1,500 est.)

(11-1) Lawrence 28-26 (OT) Humphrey (11-0)

Champion: Lawrence (12-1), Head Coach - Curt Johnson (Back-to-Back for Lawrence)

*The Game Story*

**You might just have to proclaim this a Golden Era for Lawrence high school sports. When Panthers QB Jerry Hoelting powered his way over the goal line in overtime from inches away, then backfield buddy Dan Svoboda did the same on a 2 point conversion, it gave Lawrence their second straight Class D-1 football title (28-26 in OT) over the same Humphrey squad it beat the year before for the D-1 championship.

That win stretched the Panthers win streak to 25 games, with the last loss coming a couple of years prior in 1981 to Shelby in the D-1 title game. It also gave Lawrence, who had won a state basketball championship the spring before, a record of 46-3 over the previous four years, having qualified for the football championship game each of those four seasons.

After Hoelting and Svoboda combined for the touchdown and two point conversion in overtime, the Lawrence defense had to dig in to stop Humphrey High’s Ron Zach, who came up inches short on the 2-point conversion which followed a 4 yard Todd Finkral scoring dash.

Panther defenders Mike Reiman and Greg Kucera were credited with the game saving tackle on the talented Zach, who had rushed for 157 yards on 22 carries in regulation.

Kucera scored a pair of TDs for Lawrence (4, 1 runs), while Mike Reiman was responsible for a defensive Panther score when he pounced on a blocked punt in the end zone for a score that opened the scoring in the contest.

Todd Finkral scored 3 times for the Bulldogs on runs of 4, 1 and 2 yards. Finkral also rushed for 56 yards on 18 totes for Humphrey, who came up on the short end of the 28-26 overtime score.

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*Class D-2 (Eight-Man-2)*

1st Round Top Bracket:

(8-0) Filley 32-16 Trumbull (6-2) (@ Trumbull, 7:30)

(8-1) Lodgepole 38-12 Sandhills (8-1) (@ Lodgepole, 7:30)

(7-2) Marquette 57-16 Loomis (7-2) (@ Marquette, 7:30)

(8-1) Davenport 74-34 Palisade (7-2) (@ Davenport, 7:30)

1st Round Bottom Bracket:

(8-1) Odell 26-0 Falls City Sacred Heart (7-2) (@ Odell, 7:30)

(8-1) Maxwell 8-6 Benedict (7-2) (@ Maxwell, 7:30 CST)

(7-2) Chester-Hubbell 20-18 Dawson-Verdon (9-0) (@ Dawson, 7:30)

(8-1) Butte 28-8 Beaver Valley (7-2) (@ Lebanon, 7:30)

Quarterfinals:

(9-0) Filley 54-26 Lodgepole (9-1) (@ Filley, 7:30)

(8-2) Marquette 62-32 Davenport (9-1) (@ Davenport, 7:30)

(9-1) Odell 26-12 Maxwell (9-1) (@ Odell, 7:30)

(9-1) Butte 33-21 Chester-Hubbell (8-2) (@ Chester, 7:30)

Semifinals:

(9-2) Marquette 36-0 Filley (10-0) (@ Marquette, 7:30)

(10-1) Odell 16-6 Butte (10-1) (@ Butte, 7:30)

Final: (@ Marquette) (Att: 1,600 est)

(10-2) Marquette 12-0 Odell (11-1)

Champion: Marquette (11-2), Head Coach - Carl Abele

*The Game Story*

**Marquette rode the legs of thousand yard rusher Lynn Menke on offense, then called on Menke and Mike Larson defensively to make a critical 4th down stop of Odell quarterback Bruce Vitosh the Cubs one yard with 6:50 left in the 3rd quarter to seal the D-2 championship.

The stop preserved a 6-0 Marquette lead at the time, and gave the Cubs another opportunity to grind it out with their superb, ball control offense on a rainy night in Marquette in front of an estimated 1,600 fans.

Lynn Menke, one of three 1000 yard rushers in Marquette’s three man backfield, gave his team an insurance touchdown in the 4th quarter when the track star broke loose on a sparkling 52 yard scoring sprint. The junior two-time 400 meter dash king followed the crunching blocks of pulling guard Todd Danhauer and fullback Ken Russell on the 31 slant play to score the touchdown.

The Class D-2 championship game, played in the rain, certainly hampered Odell’s aerial game, but the Marquette defense was not about to allow the orange and black clad Tigers to cross their goal line on that night.

Odell’s lone scoring threat of that rain-soaked evening did come when the Tigers' Natan Anton recovered a fumble on an errant pitch play by Marquette reserve quarterback Blake Sanderson. That set up the ill-fated drive that was eventually stuffed by Menke and Mike Larson.

Starting Cub signal caller Kevin Hutsell had been injured prior to that series of downs but returned to finish the game and help the Cubs to their first and only State Football Championship.

Marquette also became the first known school in Nebraska prep football history to have three one thousand yard rushers in one season. That 1983 Terrific Trio consisted of RB Lynn Menke (1,791 yards), FB Ken Russell (1,048) and QB Kevin Hutsell (1,002), who returned after an injury in this title game to blast over the 1000 yard rushing mark, forming the record setting backfield triumphant.

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*1983 Super-State Offense*

End------Jamie Worden-Scottsbluff, 5-11, 170, Senior

End------Paul Parr-Omaha Gross, 5-9, 170, Senior

Tackle--Roger Turner-Omaha Westside, 6-4, 215, Senior

Tackle--Benson Lehr-Omaha Central, 6-2, 212, Senior

Guard--Ander Keeler-Omaha Burke, 6-3, 235, Senior

Guard--John Winkler-Omaha Northwest, 5-6, 190, Senior

Center-Steve Rogers-Omaha Gross, 6-2, 240, Senior

QB------Brad Kucera-Creighton Prep, 6-0, 175, Senior

RB------Keith Jones-Omaha Central, 6-0, 178, Senior…..(1,710 yards)

RB------Steve Sliva-Columbus, 6-0, 190, Senior…..(1,402 yards)

RB------John Kroeker**-Henderson, 6-1, 175, Senior…..(1,895)

Kicker--John Kroeker**-Henderson, 6-1, 175, Senior (Chosen @ 3 positions, K/P/RB)

*1983 Super-State Defense*

End-----Sean Ridley-Omaha Central, 6-3, 195, Junior

End-----David Austin-Omaha Tech, 6-1, 200, Senior…….(1,021 yards)

Tackle--Bob Sledge-Omaha Gross, 6-1, 240, Senior

Tackle--Shawn Hall-Fremont, 6-5, 260, Senior

MG-----Jeff Welch-Creighton Prep, 6-0, 170, Senior

LB-------Steve Stanard-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 205, Senior

LB-------Brian Liekhus-Omaha South, 6-1, 195, Senior

LB-------Randall Jobman*-Oshkosh, 6-4, 210, Senior…...

DB-------Tim Knust-Creighton Prep, 6-4, 190, Senior

DB-------Doug Koenig-Lincoln East, 5-10, 175, Senior

DB-------Gary Selvera-Omaha Northwest, 6-1, 180, Senior

Punter--John Kroeker**-Henderson, 6-1, 175, Senior (Chosen @ 3 positions, K/P/RB)

*2nd Team Super-State Offense*

End------Dave Kruse-Norfolk, 6-5, 210, Senior

End------Pat Linen-Ralston, 5-11, 155, Junior

Tackle--Dean Davis-Scottsbluff, 6-5, 2172, Senior

Tackle--Dave Mumm-Omaha Roncalli, 5-11, 221, Senior

Guard--Greg Gaden-Grand Island, 5-11, 205, Senior

Guard--John Nelson-Minden, 6-1, 205, Senior

Center-Jim Olafson-Omaha Northwest, 5-11, 225, Senior

QB------Scott Crimmins-Lincoln East, 6-3, 190, Senior

RB------Steve Hessler-Mitchell, 6-0, 175, Senior…..(1,384 yards)

RB------Barry Kitrell-Ashland, 5-10, 200, Senior…..(1,192 yards)

RB------Kevin Trosper-Grand Island, 5-9, 185, Senior….(1,123 yards)

Kicker--Jim Groenewald-David City, 6-2, 205, Senior

*2nd Team Super-State Defense*

End-----Steve Kirk-Lincoln East, 6-3, 190, Senior

End-----Steve Vondra-Omaha Burke, 5-11, 175, Senior

Tackle--Tim Becker-Norfolk Catholic, 6-4, 195, Senior

Tackle--Andy Miller-Omaha Westside, 6-5, 245, Senior

MG-----Steve Wichman-Pierce, 6-1, 230, Senior

LB-------Brad Buller-Henderson, 6-0, 180, Senior

LB-------Shane Kuchta-Hartington Cedar Catholic, 6-2, 195, Senior

LB-------Mark Sims-Grand Island Northwest, 6-1, 185, Senior…..(1,096 yards)

DB-------Anthony Whalls-Omaha Westside, 6-2, 197, Senior

DB-------Ken Cloyd-Platteview, 6-1, 180, Senior

DB-------Ryan Young-Grant-6-0, 153, Senior

Punter--Steve Poppe-Oshkosh, 6-1, 160, Senior

*1983 Class A Offense:*

End------Jamie Worden-Scottsbluff, 5-11, 170, Junior

End------Paul Parr-Omaha Gross, 5-9, 170, Senior

Tackle--Roger Turner-Omaha Westside, 6-4, 215, Senior

Tackle--Benson Lehr-Omaha Central, 6-2, 212, Senior

Guard--Ander Keeler-Omaha Burke, 6-3, 235, Senior

Guard--John Winkler-Omaha Northwest, 5-6, 190, Senior

Center-Steve Rogers-Omaha Gross, 6-2, 240, Senior

QB------Brad Kucera-Creighton Prep, 6-0, 175, Senior

RB------Keith Jones-Omaha Central, 6-0, 178, Senior….(1,710 yards)

RB------Steve Sliva-Columbus, 6-0, 190, Senior…..(1,402 yards)

RB------Kevin Trosper-Grand Island, 5-9, 185, Senior….(1,123 yards)

Kicker--Dave Payne-Omaha Gross, 5-11, 187, Senior

*1983 Class A Defense:*

End-----Sean Ridley-Omaha Central, 6-3, 195, Junior

End-----David Austin-Omaha Tech, 6-1, 200, Senior…….(1,021 yards)

Tackle--Bob Sledge-Omaha Gross, 6-1, 240, Senior

Tackle--Shawn Hall-Fremont, 6-5, 260, Senior

MG-----Jeff Welch-Creighton Prep, 6-0, 170, Senior

LB-------Steve Stanard-Lincoln Southeast, 6-2, 205, Senior

LB-------Brian Liekhus-Omaha South, 6-1, 195, Senior

LB-------Wayne Swanson-Lincoln Northeast, 5-11, 170, Senior

DB-------Tim Knust-Creighton Prep, 6-4, 190, Senior

DB-------Doug Koenig-Lincoln East, 5-10, 175, Senior

DB-------Gary Selvera-Omaha Northwest, 6-1, 180, Senior

Punter--Jeff Marco-Bellevue West, 6-1, 190, Senior

*1983 Class B Offense*

End-----Tom Vlach-Hartington Cedar Catholic, 6-4, 195, Senior

End-----Brad Nelson-Ord , 6-0, 165, Senior

Tackle-Brian Miller-Superior, 6-0, 220, Senior

Tackle-Dave Mumm-Omaha Roncalli, 5-11, 221, Senior

Guard--Scott Dostal-Gretna, 6-0, 192, Junior

Guard--John Nelson-Minden, 6-1, 205, Senior

Center-Sean Putnam-O’Neill, 6-4, 240, Senior

QB-----Jeff Magsamen-Lincoln Pius X, 6-2, 200, Senior

RB------Jeff Jamrog-Elkhorn Mt. Michael, 6-2, 195, Senior..(1,460 yards)

RB------Mike Hedlund-O’Neill, 6-1, 185, Senior …..(1,189 yards)

RB------Shawn Sich-Ord, 5-9, 175, Senior…(1,153 yards)

Kicker- Todd Ortmeier-West Point Central Catholic, 6-3, 225, Senior

*1983 Class B Defense*

End----Mike Staab-Grand Island Central Catholic, 6-5, 210, Senior

End----Paul Lewandowski-Grand Island Central Catholic, 6-4, 200, Senior

Tackle-Jim Paprocki-Columbus Scotus, 6-4, 215, Senior

Tackle-Paul Fix-Lincoln Pius X, 6-2, 235, Senior

MG----Steve Wichman-Pierce, 6-1, 230, Senior

LB------Shane Kuchta-Hartington Cedar Catholic, 6-2, 195, Senior

LB------Monte Neitzel-Platteview, 6-2, 205, Junior

LB------Mark Sims-Grand Island Northwest, 6-1, 185, Senior

DB-----Mark Blazek-Raymond Central, 6-2, 175, Senior

DB-----Jeff Tomlin-Alliance, 5-11, 175, Senior…(1,013 yards)

DB-----Ken Cloyd-Platteview, 6-1, 180, Senior

Punter--Jeff Curtis-Ogallala, 6-0, 160, Senior

*1983 Class C-1 Offense*

End----Don Liess-Republican Valley (Indianola), 6-3, 191, Senior

End----Jeff Dumont-Bennington, 6-0, 165, Junior

Tackle--Marc Cleveland-Battle Creek, 6-6, 220, Senior

Tackle--Jerry Groene-Oakland-Craig, 6-3, 220, Senior

Guard--Brian Dodson-North Platte St. Pats, 6-2, 188, Senior

Guard--Brian Hergott-Hebron, 6-0, 205, Junior

Center-Mike Keller-Wilber, 5-10, 198, Senior

QB------Kevin Lyons-Gibbon, 6-1, 170, Senior

RB------Tim Ryan-Wilber, 5-11, 195, Senior…..(1,045 yards)

RB------Dean Fuscher-Emerson-Hubbard, -5-10, 175, Senior …..(1,084 yards)

RB------David Holthus-Tecumseh, 6-0, 175, Senior...(1,642 yards)

Kicker- Jim Groenewald-David City, 6-2, 205, Senior

*1983 Class C-1 Defense*

End----Bruce Knaak-Plainview, 6-4, 190, Senior

End----Jerry Caldwell-Bassett, 6-6, 215, Senior

Tackle--Paul Havel-Wilber, 5-9, 235, Junior

Tackle--Tim Becker-Norfolk Catholic, 6-4, 195, Senior

MG-----Randy Leonard-Gibbon, 5-11, 205, Senior

LB------Brent Van Essen-Oakland-Craig, 5-11, 170, Senior

LB------Tom Meister-Fremont Bergan, 6-0, 188, Senior

LB------Bill Paulsen-Emerson-Hubbard, 6-1, 185, Senior

DB-----Kevin Yost-Tri-County, 6-1, 180, Senior

DB-----Greg Unger-Norfolk Catholic- 6-2, 175, Senior

DB-----Kurt McCallum-Madison, 5-10, 165, Senior

Punter---Mike Peterson-Oakland-Craig, 6-3, 172, Senior

*1983 Class C-2 Offense*

End-----Brad Schutte-Hastings St. Cecilia, 6-3, 185, Senior

End-----Steve Noren-Alma, 6-1, 160, Senior

Tackle--Randy Ott*-Henderson, 6-0, 210, Senior

Tackle--Todd Pankratz-Henderson, 6-3, 185, Senior

Guard---Ron Peterson-Harvard, 6-2, 200, Senior

Guard---Pat Wemhoff-Humphrey St. Francis, 5-10, 175, Senior

Center--Randy Zach-Humphrey St.Francis, 6-2, 180, Senior

QB-------Brian Poppe-Grant, 5-9, 158, Senior

RB-------Brent Schott-Palmyra, 6-1, 175, Senior….(1,516 yards)

RB-------John Kroeker**-Henderson, 6-0, 175, Senior…….(1,895 yards)

RB-------Steve Schneider-O’Neill St. Marys, 5-10, 170, Junior…(1,273 yards)

Kicker---John Kroeker**-Henderson, 6-1, 175, Senior (Chosen @ 3 positions, K/P/RB)

*1983 Class C-2 Defense*

End----Butch Blankenau*-Dodge, 6-1, 191, Senior

End----Joe Wieser-Humphrey St. Francis, 5-10, 175, Senior

Tackle-Darrin Preheim-Henderson, 6-0, 200, Senior

Tackle-Tom Ramold-O’Neill St. Marys, 6-1, 210, Senior

MG----Eric Teegerstrom*-Stromsburg, 5-8, 155, Senior

LB------James Kindler-Alma, 5-10, 165, Senior

LB------Darwin Lang*-Sandy Creek, 6-4, 195, Senior

LB------Brad Buller*-Henderson, 6-0, 185, Senior

DB------Shawn Jones-Benkelman, 6-0, 175, Senior

DB------Chris Bartunek-Hastings St.Cecilia, 5-11, 170, Senior….(1,058 yards)

DB------Ryan Young-Grant-6-0, 153, Senior

Punter--John Kroeker**-Henderson, 6-1, 175, Senior (Chosen @ 3 positions, K/P/RB)

*1983 Class D-1 (Eight Man 1) Offense*

End----Todd Bish-Giltner, 6-1, 180, Senior

End----Rick Ideus-Shickley, 6-1, 190, Senior

Guard-Ken Maguire-Humphrey, 5-10, 170, Senior

Guard-Paul Mundil-Leigh, 6-1, 217, Senior

Center-Jim Lozier-Omaha Brownell-Talbot, 6-7, 230, Senior

QB------Jerry Hoelting-Lawrence, 5-10, 165, Senior

Back----Bill Kucera-Lawrence, 5-11, 170, Senior…..(1,129 yards)

Back----Ron Zach-Humphrey, 5-9, 146, Junior…..(1,393 yards)

Kicker--Steve Poppe-Oshkosh, 6-1, 160, Senior (Chosen @ two positions, K/P)

*1983 Class D-1 (Eight Man 1) Defense*

End----Dan Svoboda-Lawrence, 6-0, 185, Junior

End----John Pavelka-Verdigre, 6-2, 190, Senior

MG----Scott Christensen-Humphrey, 6-2, 200, Senior

LB-----Stan Heithoff-Elgin, 6-1, 200, Senior

LB-----Brian Kennedy-Winnebago, 5-10, 160, Senior….(1,168 yards)

LB-----Randall Jobman*-Oshkosh, 6-4, 210, Senior…...

DB-----Alan Smith-Elm Creek, 6-2, 182, Senior

DB-----Gregg Kremer-Nebraska Christian, 5-10, 170, Senior

Punter-Steve Poppe-Oshkosh, 6-1, 160, Senior

*1983 Class D-2 (Eight Man 2) Offense*

End----Greg Buhr-Trumbull, 6-1, 170, Senior

End----Jim Burr-Sumner, 6-3, 180, Senior

Guard-Bob Harms-Filley, 5-10, 165, Senior

Guard-Todd Danhauer-Marquette, 6-1 , 185, Senior

Center-Charles Rader-Trumbull, 6-0, 200, Senior

QB------Kevin Hutsell-Marquette, 5-9, 155, Senior

Back----Lynn Menke-Marquette, 5-11, 170, Junior…..(1,791 yards)

Back----Chad Bailey-Benedict, 5-6, 140, Senior…..(1,758 yards)

Kicker--Mylan Gehle-Chester, 5-10 157, Senior

*1983 Class D-2 (Eight Man 2) Defense*

End----Jeff Kallhoff-Clearwater, 6-3, 205, Senior

End----Jim Huettner-Dawson-Verdon, 6-2, 180, Senior

MG----Dennis Weyer-Odell, 6-1, 215, Senior

LB------Charlie Loper-Paxton, 5-11, 190, Senior

LB------Steve Daffer-Beaver Valley, 6-2, 185, Senior…..(1,227 yards)

LB------Jim Sibbel-Butte, 5-11, 170, Senior….(1,093 yards)

DB-----Wayne Janesky-Maxwell, 5-11, 170, Senior

DB-----Ron Oltman-Odell, 5-10, 165, Senior

Punter-Ron Wieser-Monroe, 5-9 , 155, Junior

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Top 10 Rushers in 1983

John Kroeker-Henderson…………….……..…1,895 Sr.

Dean Fuscher-Emerson-Hubbard...……….1,889 Sr.

Lynn Menke-Marquette……...…………..…..1,791 Jr.*

Keith Jones-Omaha Central…………..........1,710 Sr.*

Ron Zach-Humphrey…………...….……………1,682 Jr.*

Shane Kuchta-Hartington CC……...…..……1,607 Sr.*

Doug Estrada-North Platte St. Pats…….…1,536 Jr.

Tim Driskill-Holbrook…………………………...1,499 Sr.

Shane Belohrad-Leigh…………………………..1,468 Soph.

Donnie Peetz-North Loup/Scotia………....1,406 Sr.

Steve Sliva-Columbus…………..……..……….1,402 Sr.