A History of Nebraska 8-Man Football - 1970 and 1971 All-State Teams/Final Rankings.

*1970 Eight-Man Football All-State Team Final Rankings*

The downward trend of schools playing 8-Man football in Nebraska continued in 1970 as 85 Teams played 8-Man football in, down 14 schools from 1969.

However, Nebraska continued to be the national trailblazer for 8-Man football and the number of schools playing this magnificent game would level off during the early to mid 70s, then continued to rise and remain rock steady around the 110 mark in current times, a number that still leads the entire nation in the number of schools participation in 8-Man football.

Here are the Final 8-Man rankings in 1970.

*Final 8-Man Top 10 (1970)*

1. Madrid Wheatland (9-0) {505-107}

2. Odell (8-0) {4100-91}

3. Mead (9-0) {479-98} 4. Shelby (9-0) {464-108}

5. Stapleton (10-0) {502-62}

6. Republican Valley (10-0) {443-116}

7. Milligan (8-0) {364-108}

8. Bartlett (8-1) {414-126}

9. Giltner (7-1) {346-82}

10. Trenton (8-2) {432-130}

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And now, let’s meet our 1970 Eight-Man All-State Football team;

*1970 8-Man All-State Football Team*

End---Corky Charles-Mead, 6-3, 185, Junior

End---Mark Bowman-Bradshaw, 6-1, 175 Senior

Guard-Blake Matousek-Shelby, 5-7, 161, Senior

Guard-Warren Mommsen-Waterloo, 6-3, 215, Senior

Center-Earl Bieck-Giltner, 5-10, 160, Junior

Back--John Olson-Wheeler Central (Bartlett), 5-8, 150, Senior

Back--Gary Jurgens-Odell, 5-10, 165, Senior

Back--Bill Kraus-Madrid Wheatland, 6-1, 175, Senior

*Two Juniors graced the eight member All-State team in 1970, the amazing Corky Charles from Mead and tough as nails Earl Bieck of Giltner, a 160 pound stick of dynamite who struck fear into the hearts of any offensive player that had a football in their hands.

Wheatland’s Bill Kraus was probably the most noteworthy of this mythical dream team, having been asked to play quarterback when Coach Jack Sunderland’s starter went down for the season.

All Kraus did was step in and complete 65 of 86 passes for 1,260 yards. He had a hand in 40 Wheatland touchdowns either running, passing or receiving.

The aggressive Bieck averaged nearly 20 tackles a game, according to head coach Larry Sheehan and I can attest to that fact having seen him play since Giltner is just 21 miles from my house in GI.

Mead standout Corky Charles did it all. He caught 28 passes for 371 yards, rushed for 122 more, completed 1 of 27 passes for 265 yards and scored 106 points. But it was defense where Charles really sparkled, making numerous tackles, shutting down the opponent's best receiver and intercepting ELEVEN passes.

The late and so great John O’Brien, Shelby’s tough head coach, told me that year that lightweight (5-7,161) Blake Matousek was one of the best offensive line blockers he ever coached. He was a vicious linebacker as well

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*1971 Eight-Man Football All-State Team Final Rankings*

*85 Teams played 8-Man football in 1971,

*Final 8-Man Top 10 (1971)*

1. Giltner (9-0) {476-56}

2. Culbertson (9-0) {513-124}

3. Shelby (9-0) {446-164}

4.Madrid Wheatland (9-0) {332-60}

5. Cody (8-0) {NA-NA}

6. Mead (8-1) {416-128}

7. Stapleton (8-1) {422-168}

8. Cedar Rapids (9-1) {248-110}

9. Stuart (7-1-1) {353-126}

10. Elk Creek (7-1-1) {238-104}

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And now, let’s meet our 1971 Eight-Man All-State Football team;

*1971 8-Man All-State Football Team*

End---Corky Charles-Mead, 6-3, 190, Senior

End---Alan Bauer-Culbertson, 5-9, 135 Senior

Guard-Ben Kastl-Brainard East Buter, 6-0, 200, Senior

Guard-Earl Bieck-Giltner, 5-10, 165, Senior

Center-Larry Schledewitz-Maxwell, 5-11, 187, Senior

Back--Dale Young-Hampton, 6-2, 185, Senior (1,121 rushing/14 TDs)

Back--Harv Wewel-Stuart, 6-1, 167, Senior (99-176 pass/1,498 yds/28 TDs)

Back--Joel Dunekacke-Elk Creek, 5-8, 178, Senior (1,265 rushing-265 carries)

*The Omaha World-Herald’s Conde Sargent said that not only did Corky Charles of Mead receive a ton of votes for all-state, but he received votes for a lot of positions.

The 6-3, 195 pound Charles excelled all over the field for Mead, seeing action at halfback, quarterback, end. Guard, linebacker and safety.

In 8-Man football, that’s every position but center.

Corky’s receiving yards were down from 1970 (375 to 222) but in 1971, he was busy carrying the football to the tune of 771 yards on 77 carries. Charles also grabbed 16 passes for those 222 yards and three touchdowns, completed 16 of 32 passes for 216 yards and four TDs, scoring 21 touchdowns total in ‘71. The Mead star also averaged 41.2 yards per punt, all-state numbers in this day and age.

Harv Wewel, the talented Stuart Bronco quarterback, was a passing machine who threw 55 touchdown passes during his four year career. In 1971 alone, Wewel completed 99 of his 176 pass attempts for 1,498 yards and 28 scores.

The Bronco standout also passed for 14 PATS and ran for an additional 9 TDs.

Joel Dunekacke from Elk Creek was a tireless workhorse for head coach Gene Finke, who called his number 265 times during the 9 game season. The 185 pound Dunekacke responded with 1,265 yards.

Dunekacke was also a stalwart defensively, holding down the middle guard position, oftentimes being an uninvited guest in the opponent's backfield where he was credited for 20 tackles for losses.

I also watched Dale Young of Hampton play and was very impressed, as he rambled for 1,121 yards rushing and was considered the top back in the prestigious Crossroads Conference by opposing coaches.

Young ran for 14 touchdowns.