2023 Class C-2 NSAA State Championship Game
Norfolk Catholic 41, Ord 3
(Link to Norfolk Daily News coverage from Nick Benes)

For a state record 12th time in program history, Norfolk Catholic took home a football state championship by defeating Ord 41-3 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on November 21. It was the second straight Class C-2 state title for the Knights, who have won 26 straight games.

Head coach Jeff Bellar has now won a state record 406 games in his career and 11 of Norfolk Catholic’s 12 state titles. In order to get the job done, Norfolk Catholic relied on its traditional recipe of a strong running game and a dominating defense.

It was the most points Norfolk Catholic had scored in any of its state finals. It would be hard to argue if defense wasn’t more of a story as the Knights forced four turnovers, including three interceptions. Ord finished the game with 142 total yards in a losing effort, most of which came with a running clock in the second half.

Carter Janssen finished with 192 total yards and a pair of scores, while Brandon Kollars led the Knights with 83 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Max Hammond rushed for a pair of scores to pace Norfolk Catholic.

Ord would open the scoring with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter when Talan Bruha booted a 40-yard field goal, which was the first field goal of the season for the Chanticleers. Bruha set up the scoring opportunity after picking off Janssen. Clayton Carney caught a 33-yard touchdown pass and intercepted a pass.

Norfolk Catholic answered with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Janssen to cap off a 13-play, 84-yard drive with 8:50 left before halftime. Hammond’s point after made it 7-3, Norfolk Catholic. Hammond extended the lead with a 9-yard scoring burst with 5:49 remaining in the half and tacked on the extra point to make it 14-3. Hammond tacked on a 2-yard run and point after with :14 before intermission.

Ord finishes the season with a 10-3 record. Dylan Hurlbert, Trent McCain, and Blake Hinrichs, and Bruha are among Chanticleers who are finishing outstanding careers.

Class C-2 State Championship
Norfolk Catholic 41, Ord 3

Game Stats

Ord

Norfolk Catholic

Team Stats