Class C-1 State Championship Game Preview
Wahoo (12-0) vs. Boone Central (12-0)

When: Tuesday, November 21 at 10:15 am
Where: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln)
TV/Stream: Nebraska Public Media
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Wahoo (12-0)
State Championships: 2019 (C-1)
Head Coach: Chad Fox
Distance to Memorial Stadium: 32.9 miles
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rank: No. 2
Offensive Average: 37.6 | Defensive Average: 4.8
Key Players: Trevor Beavers (5’11/225, OL/DL); Noah Bordovsky (6’0/175, RB/DB, Jr.); Kip Brigham (5’10/160, RB/DB, Soph.); Josh Edmonds (5’9/160, WR/DB); Sam Edmonds (5’11/160, ATH/DB); Eli Emerson (6’4/225, OL/DL, Jr.); Braylon Iversen (6’0/180, RB/LB, Jr.); Harrison Krueger (6’0/170, LB, Soph.); Barrett Lavaley (6’2/185, LB); Jase Kaminski (5’10/165, QB, Soph.); Jake Scanlon (6’0/235, OL/DL, Jr.); Jonas Schnakenberg (6’0/210, OL/DL); Eli Shada (6’4/200, TE/DL, Soph.); Caden Smart (5’9/175, RB/DB, Jr.); Luke Specht (6’1/225, OL/DL, Jr.); Avery Wieting (5’10/165, WR/DB)

Wahoo
Wahoo navigated a tough schedule which included wins over Pierce, Ashland-Greenwood, and Auburn in the first three weeks to get its season rolling. Due to amount of underclassmen on the roster, many expected Wahoo to perhaps be ready for a run at a state title in 2024. Sophomores in particular have stepped up in a hurry for Wahoo, who were state champions in 2019. Over its four playoff games during the championship season, the 11-time boys basketball state champion allowed a total of 14 points. The defense in 2023 has been much of the same.

Sophomore quarterback Jase Kaminski (1,221 passing yards, 16 TD’s; 225 rushing, 5 TD’s) has showed wisdom beyond his year in leading the Wahoo offense to an average of 308 yards per contest. Junior Noah Bordovsky (977 yards, 19 TD’s) is the leader out of the backfield, while Barrett Lavaley (313 receiving yards, 4 TD’s) and Sam Edmonds (295 receiving yards, 2 TD’s) are the top pass catchers for Wahoo. Trevor Beavers joins juniors Eli Emerson and Jake Scanlon to lead a solid offensive line.

Defensively, Wahoo has posted six shutouts this season and three of the last four games, allowing seven points to Broken Bow in the quarterfinals. Junior Braylon Iversen (107 tackles, 5 TFL), Caden Smart (86 tackles, 10 TFL), Lavaley (73 tackles, 5 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 INT’s), and Sam Edmonds (45 tackles, 4 INT’s) have been the leaders on defense. Harrison Krueger and Eli Shada are productive sophomores on defense who have bright futures.

Boone Central Cardinals (12-0)
State Championships: 2001 (C-1), 2014 (C-1 as Boone Central/Newman Grove)
Runner-Up: 2004 (C-1); 2012, 2017 (C-1 as BC/NG)
Head Coach: Mark Hudson
Distance to Memorial Stadium: 118.6 miles
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rank: No. 1
Offensive Average: 39.2 | Defensive Average: 5.3
Key Players: Brant Benes (5’11/155, WR/DB); Brogan Benes (5’11/170, RB/DB, Soph.); Parker Borer (5’10/180, RB/DB); Luke Curry (6’0/200, OL/DL) Josh Erickson (5’11/205, OL/LB); James Fogleman (5’11/170, QB/DB); Hank Hudson (6’1/220, RB/LB); Jaxon Lipker (6’6/205, TE/DL); Robbie Miller (6’1/245, OL/DL); Kolton Rassmussen (5’9/180, RB/DB); Ben Reilly (6’4/210, OL/DL); Thomas Roberts (6’3/205, OL/DL, Jr.); Trenton Patzel (6’7/280, OL/DL); Caden Stokes (5’10/185, TE/LB); Nathaniel Werner (5’11/275, OL/DL)

Boone Central
Pretty much the statewide preseason No. 1 coming into the season, Boone Central’s trip to Lincoln to play for the Class C-1 state championship is not a huge surprise. Its performance in 2023 confirmed what many thought of the Cardinals all along. With some tricky games on its schedule, the Cardinals handled their business and deserve to be in the state title game for the first time since 2017.

James Fogelman (1,102 passing yards, 12 TD’s; 619 rushing yards, 13 TD’s) is the leader of the offense at quarterback, while Parker Borer (1,875 rushing yards, 23 TD’s; 167 receiving yards, 2 TD’s) the top option out of the backfield for a Cardinals offense that averages 276.3 yards per game on the season. One of the top running backs in Nebraska, Borer has been a key part of the offense for the past three seasons with over 4,000 career rushing yards and 54 scores over his career. The Cardinals don’t go to Brant Benes (16 receptions, 388 yards, 4 TD’s) often, but he makes big plays when called upon. The offensive line is led by underrated college prospect Trenton Patzel (6’7/280).If you think the offensive statistics are low on paper, consider that the starters rarely played in the second half this season.

On a defense that posted six shutouts and allowed seven points or less nine times, linebacker Hank Hudson (91 tackles, 13 TFL), Caden Stokes (69 tackles, 6 TFL), and Jaxon Lipker (42 tackles) provide senior leadership on defense with Brant Benes (33 tackles, 2 INT’s) being a leader in the secondary. A junior to watch is defensive end Thomas Roberts (56 tackles, 19 TFL, 6 sacks). It would not be a shock to see more of Borer on defense in the state championship game with the season on the line.

What to Expect
There were many who thought Boone Central would win Class C-1 handily, but Wahoo has performed just as well this season to get to Lincoln and has a real shot to win its second state title in five seasons. Both teams are battle-tested, so it would be no surprise if this contest came down to the wire.

2023 NSAA Class C-1 Football Playoffs

Semifinals: Wahoo 21, Sidney 0; Boone Central 21, Ashland-Greenwood 14

Quarterfinals: Wahoo 12, Broken Bow 7; Sidney 41, Pierce 34; Boone Central 56, Auburn 7; Ashland-Greenwood 34, Adams Central 8

First Round: Wahoo 46, Columbus Scotus 0; Broken Bow 28, Douglas County West 20; Sidney 28, Gothenburg 14; Pierce 34, Omaha Roncalli 14; Boone Central 49, Columbus Lakeview 7; Auburn 36, Ogallala 32; Ashland-Greenwood 53, Chadron 14; Adams Central 9, Aurora 7