Class B State Championship Game
Bennington (12-0) vs. Omaha Gross Catholic (12-0)
Tuesday, November 22 at 7:15 p.m.
Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, NE
TV: Nebraska Public Media (Over-the-air: Check Local Listings)
Last Meeting: October 22, 2021 (Bennington, 49-10)
Weather: Projected high of 54 in Lincoln on Tuesday

Bennington Badgers (12-0)
NEBHSFB Rank: 1
State Champions: 1989 (C-1), 2021 (B)
Top 10 Wins: Omaha Skutt, York, Elkhorn, Elkhorn North (x2), Waverly
Road to Lincoln: Defeated Beatrice, 50-7; Defeated Elkhorn North, 34-13; Defeated Waverly, 23-7
Miles to Memorial Stadium: 65.1 miles
Off Avg. 40.5 | Def. Avg: 8.3

Bennington has stormed to 25 consecutive wins and has not really been tested, on paper of course, in the process. Trey Bird (2,207 passing yards, 31 TD’s) is Bennington’s steady hand at quarterback, while Nick Colvert (1,626 rushing yards, 20 TD’s) has done his part to replace a 3,000-yard rusher from last season’s state champions. Isaac Conner (60 receptions, 1,012 yards, 13 TD’s) has been outstanding for the Badgers. Underclassmen have a played a huge role for a defense that has posted three shutouts and allowed seven points or less seven times. Sophomore Kyler Lauridsen leads the team in tackles with 90 and has 13 tackles for loss and three interceptions. Junior Gunnar Lym has four interceptions. In total, the Badgers have intercepted 16 passes this season.

Omaha Gross Catholic Cougars (12-0)
NEBHSFB Rank: 3
State Champions: 2012 (B) | Runners-Up: 1983 (A)
Top 10 Wins: Elkhorn, Omaha Skutt, York, Scottsbluff
Road to Lincoln: Defeated Mount Michael, 42-0; Defeated York, 42-6; Defeated Scottsbluff, 49-35
Miles to Memorial Stadium: 53.8 miles
Off Avg. 42.8 | Def. Avg: 11.0 (11 games due to forfeit win)

Omaha Gross was high on some radars, not so much on others. Apologies are due to Omaha Gross for the NEBHSFB preseason prognosis. It did not age well. Like a decade ago, Omaha Gross is hoping a trip to Memorial Stadium in Lincoln provides hardware. Powered by an offensive line that would be welcomed with a red carpet at a lot of Class A schools, Omaha Gross has ran the table behind a running game led by Jake Garcia. Garcia is well over 1,000 yards heading into the state title game. Colby Duncan is capable of moving the ball through the air at quarterback for the Cougars. Only tested in a Week 3 win over Elkhorn other than the semifinals before taking care of business over Scottsbluff, the defense has allowed seven points or less six times. Sal Nacarelli and Carson Almgren are the top linemen for Gross Catholic and are disruptive up front.

Prediction: Bennington, 28-21

  • In the world of common opponents in Class B, not much separates the two if you compare their results. Bennington’s explosive offensive and outstanding defense should neutralize the powerful Gross attack. We are a long way from when the two teams last met 13 months ago.