2023 NSAA Class D-1 State Football Championship
Stanton 42, Exeter-Milligan/Friend 36

Stanton won its first football state championship in program history with a 42-36 come-from-behind victory over Exeter-Milligan/Friend (EMF) in Class D-1 on November 20 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Junior quarterback Barrett Wilke was as advertised in the state final, compiling 385 total yards and six touchdowns for the Mustangs. Wilke rushed for 250 yards and three scores on 38 carries and threw for 135 yards and three more scores to lead the effort for Stanton, who finishes 12-1 on the season.

With 3:26 remaining on fourth and seven, Wilke hit Mitchell Hupp on a 26-yard scoring dagger. With the two-point conversion, the Mustangs led 42-28. EMF cut the deficit to six points at 42-36 on a 3-yard run by Schluter and a two-point conversion with 1:36 remaining, but EMF’s onside kick attempt was recovered by Stanton.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, EMF extended its lead to 28-18 after a 25-yard touchdown run by Schluter before Stanton went on a furious rally. The Mustangs took the lead with two Wilke touchdown runs within 13 seconds of each other. The Bobcats committed three crucial fourth quarter turnovers to swing the momentum back towards Stanton’s direction.

Stanton took a 18-14 lead into the locker room at halftime behind three total touchdowns from Wilke. Wilke finished 4-for-4 through the air in the half for 109 yards for two touchdowns while tacking on 105 rushing yards and a score with his legs. Schluter rushed for 149 first half yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Bobcats. EMF led until :39 left in the first half when Wilke hit Jordan Claussen on a 56-yard touchdown strike to give the lead back to the Mustangs. Stanton was 0-for-3 in the first half on two-point conversions.

Schluter capped off an outstanding career with 266 yards and five touchdowns. For the season, Schluter finished with 3,012 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns. Michael Bartu rushed for 73 yards in a losing effort for the Bobcats, who finished with a 11-2 record on the season.

Class D-1 State Championship Game
Stanton 42, Exeter-Milligan/Friend 36

Game Stats

EMF

Stanton

Team Stats