Class C-2 State Championship Game
Bishop Neumann 37, Grand Island Central Catholic 15

Bishop Neumann fought off gusty weather conditions to win its first state championship game in football since 2003 with a 37-15 win over Grand Island Central Catholic at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Tuesday, November 25. First-year head coach Joe Pavlik was able to get the Cavaliers back into the title game after falling to Norfolk Catholic in the final a year ago.

Mother Nature was a factor with winds gusting up to nearly 50 miles per hour the entire contest. A defensive battle erupted in the first half in a game that even saw a negative 4-yard punt and numerous turnovers due to the conditions. There were seven turnover on downs in the first half where the two teams combined for 194 total yards.

In the third quarter, the running lanes began to open. Jack Van Slyke rushed for 114 yards and four touchdowns while quarterback Beau Fujan added 110 rushing yards and a 63-yard touchdown run for the Cavaliers as they scored 31 second half points. Grand Island Central Catholic quarterback Grayson Sack scored on a 55-yard scamper in the third quarter, which were the last points the Crusaders would score.. The game would see only four completed passes.

After a fumble on the opening offensive play of the game for Grand Island Central Catholic, Bishop Neumann (12-1) opened the scoring two plays later when Van Slyke rumbled in from 30 yards out.

The Crusaders responded with an 8-play, 68-yard drive with ended in six points when Alberts scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. Jackson Gangwish ran into the two-point attempt to give the Crusaders an 8-6 lead with 7:37 left in the first quarter. Grand Island Central Catholic turned the ball over four times in the first half.

Grand Island Central Catholic (11-2) lost in a state football championship game for the fourth time in school history and has yet to win one. The Crusaders senior class started their first two seasons of high school football with a 2-16 record before finishing it off with a magical run to the state final.

Class C-2 State Championship Game
Bishop Neumann 37, Grand Island Central Catholic 15

Scoring Summary
BN – Jack Van Slyke 30 run (kick failed)
GICC – Jack Alberts 5 run (Jackson Gangwish run)
BN – Van Slyke 3 run (Van Slyke run)
GICC – Grayson Sack 55 run (Garrett Watson kick)
BN – Beau Fujan 63 run (Van Slyke run)
BN – Van Slyke 4 run (Fujan run)
BN – Van Slyke 4 run (Van Slyke kick)

Game Stats