2024 NSAA Class C-2 State Championship Game
Bishop Neumann (11-1) vs. Norfolk Catholic (12-0)

When: Tuesday, November 26 – 10:15 AM
Where: Memorial Stadium – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
TV/Stream: Nebraska Public Media
Radio: Wahoo Sports Online | KQKX – Norfolk | Spirit Catholic Radio | KTIC West Point
NSAA Football Finals HQ
Last Meeting: Week 1 of 2024 Season – Norfolk Catholic defeated Bishop Neumann, 28-21 ($).

Bishop Neumann Cavaliers (11-1)
State Championships: 1977, 2002, 2003 (C-1)| State Runner-Up: 1975, 1980, 1985, 2000, 2007, 2016 (C-1)
Head Coach: Jordan Roberts
Distance to Memorial Stadium: 29.8 miles
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rank: No. 2
Offensive Average: 44.4 | Defensive Average: 10.9

Bishop Neumann
Bishop Neumann takes the nearly 30-mile trek down Highway 77 from Wahoo as it seeks to win its first state championship on the gridiron since 2003. Neumann has won 11 straight games since falling in Week 1 to Norfolk Catholic, 28-21.

Quarterback Jake Rezac leads Bishop Neumann with 687 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Nebraska commit Conor Booth has rushed for more than 6,000 yards in his career and leads the state with 2,906 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns. This season, Booth has 10 games with 200 yards rushing with three games eclipsing 300 yards. Tight end Jarred Cernik leads the Cavaliers in receiving with 17 receptions for 386 yards and five touchdowns.

Junior linebacker Jack Van Slyke leads Bishop Neumann with 144 tackles while Cernik has chipped in with 86 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. Calib Svoboda and Andrew Meduna have been the top performers on both lines. Svoboda recorded 56 tackles and 14. tackles for loss, while Meduna is third on the team with 76 tackles. Beau Fujan leads the Cavaliers with three interceptions. Bishop Neumann’s defense has allowed seven points or less eight times this season to include three shutouts.

Norfolk Catholic Knights (12-0)
State Championships: 1983,1991,1998,1999, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017 (C-1), 2022, 2023 (C-2) | Runner-Up: 1984, 1987 (C-2), 1993, 1996 (C-2), 2009, 2015 (C-1), 2018, 2021 (C-2)
Head Coach: Jeff Bellar (Interview with KMA Radio – Shenandoah, IA)
Distance to Memorial Stadium: 121.6 miles
Final NEBHSFB.com Regular Season Rank: No. 1
Offensive Average: 40.0 | Defensive Average: 14.0

Norfolk Catholic
Winners of 38 straight games and the last two Class C-2 state championships, the Knights are attempting to win three straight titles for the second time in school history. Norfolk Catholic’s 12 overall state championships in football are a state record while head coach Jeff Bellar has won a state record 418 games over his career and 11 of Norfolk Catholic’s 12 state championships.

Averaging 403.3 yards per game on offense, Callen Marshall leads the Knights with 1,462 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. Trevin Sukup leads the team with 1,133 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, while Max Hammond is a pivotal playmaker on offense who comes into the state championship game with 1,063 total yards and 14 touchdowns. Hayden Kelley leads the team in receiving with 36 receptions for 550 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior Leighton Burbach (6’8/255) anchors an offensive line.

Junior Oliver Daniel leads team with 105 tackles, while Shaun Clinch (6’2/225) has recorded 96 tackles and team-high five sacks. Test the Norfolk Catholic secondary at your own risk. Kelley leads the team in interceptions with seven while Nathan Timmerman checks in with six picks on the season. Overall, the Knights have picked off 19 passes this season as a team.

Pick: Norfolk Catholic
– As the 2024 season went on, you had a feeling these two might meet again in Lincoln after a barnburner in Week 1. The defending champions held Booth to his second lowest rushing output of the year in the opener (134 yards). Norfolk Catholic continues to take care of business and is a slight favorite to win its third straight title. – Scott Hansen

Class C-2 Playoff Scores

Semifinals: Norfolk Catholic 35, Kearney Catholic 13; Wahoo Neumann 6, Battle Creek 0

Quarterfinals: Norfolk Catholic 41, Raymond Central 14; Kearney Catholic 30, Wood River 8; Wahoo Neumann 24, Cedar Catholic 21; Battle Creek 30, Malcolm 27

First Round: Norfolk Catholic 33, Ord 3; Raymond Central 21, Boone Central 19; Kearney Catholic 21, Valentine 0; Wood River 41, Doniphan-Trumbull 30; Wahoo Neumann 49, Lincoln Lutheran 7; Cedar Catholic 22, Oakland-Craig 16; Battle Creek 31, David City Aquinas 13; Malcolm 42, Mitchell 12