MILLARD SOUTH CLAIMS JUNIORS STATE TITLE OVER GRAND ISLAND:
In a state tournament that began with Grand Island and Millard South ended in a rematch with Five Points Bank and the 52’s Patriots, as Millard South claimed the 11-6 victory Wednesday evening and the Juniors State Tournament title at Memorial Field.
Grand Island was given their first loss of the tournament on Saturday afternoon, falling to Millard South 14-3 in the opening contest of the tournament held in Kearney. Five Points Bank would rattle off four consecutive victories to work themselves into a chance for the state title; downing Lincoln Southwest, Creighton Prep, Kearney, and Millard North in the process.
NEBRASKA SHRINE BOWL COACHES ANNOUNCED FOR 65th ANNUAL GAME:
The Nebraska Shrine Bowl Executive Board announced the coaching staffs for next year’s 65th annual Shrine Bowl yesterday.
The North team will be led by Bellevue West Head Coach Michael Huffman, with assistant coaches Larry Martin of Omaha North and Kurt Frenzen of Columbus Lakeview. The South team will be led by Mark McLaughlin of Platteview with assistants Brandon Cool of Kearney High and Kyle Peterson of Aurora.
Each coach can select three current assistant coaches to join their staff for a total of nine additional assistant coaches per team. The 65th Annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl game will be held at UNK’s Ron and Carol Cope Stadium on Saturday, June 3 2023.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL – SPORTS NIGHTLY COMMENTS:
BECKTON – FIDONE WORKING HARD TO COMPETE THIS YEAR:
Another season of spring practices and another injury to standout tight end Thomas Fidone. Last year’s prize of the recruiting puzzle for Nebraska Football, Fidone saw limited action in 2021 due to an injury suffered in spring camp. Fidone was once again limited this spring due to another injury, and Tight Ends coach Sean Beckton added that the freshman is continuing to work to get back to the field…
Fidone returned for action in the final weeks of the season, seeing action as a blocker against Wisconsin and Iowa.
FALCONS SIGN FORMER HUSKER DANIELS:
The Falcons signed defensive tackle Darrion Daniels to their 90-man roster, the team announced on Wednesday. His addition comes after the first training camp practice, adding more depth and competition to a position group with some openings in the rotation.
Daniels spent the 2020 season with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a practice-squad elevation three times and made another appearance after being promoted to the active roster late in the year. He had four total tackles in those experiences.
The Nebraska product stands 6-foot-3 and 311 pounds was signed with San Francisco in 2020 as an undrafted free agent.
HUSKER PLAYER COMMENTS FROM BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS:
VOKALEK – WHIPPLE’S OFFENSE NEARLY MASTERED BY BIG RED:
Tight end for Nebraska Travis Vokalek represented the Big Red at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, and after being asked how many plays were in new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple’s offense Vokalek added that it is all coming together…
The Huskers will have a quarterback battle entering fall camp, but Coach Scott Frost mentioned that Texas transfer Casey Thompson will open up camp as the No. 1 spot behind center.
NEWSOME – PALMER THE MOST EXCITING ADDITION SO FAR:
Nebraska Football was well represented at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, as defensive back Quentin Newsome spoke to the media and was asked who the most exciting addition is for the Huskers…
Palmer comes from LSU where he was primarily a return specialist, but looks to make an impact on the offense for the Huskers this season.
NELSON – PROVE HOW GOOD I CAN BE:
Blackshirt linebacker Garrett Nelson spoke at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday as he made it clear his personal goals for the season…
This comes after many comments about how Nelson is aiming to become a better leader and wants to become a bigger presence in the locker room for the Huskers.
HUSKERS’ BUSCHINI ADDED TO RAY GUY AWARD WATCHLIST:
Nebraska’s Brian Buschini was one of 49 punters nationally named to the preseason watch list for the 2022 Ray Guy Award, announced on Wednesday. The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate punter in the FBS.
Buschini is in his first season at Nebraska after transferring from FCS Montana. He was named the 2021 FCS Punter of the Year and a first-team All-American for the Griz. Buschini played in 15 games in his Montana career, averaging 45.8 yards on 75 career punts. He had 30 punts of 50 yards or longer with the Griz, while placing 35 of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
As the top FCS punter in 2021, Buschini ranked third nationally with a school-record average of 46.0 yards per punt
LOPER FOOTBALL MIAA MEDIA COMMENTS:
LYNN – EXPECTATIONS HAVE RISEN FOR LOPERS:
The UNK Football team has risen in the MIAA rankings each year under 6th year Head Coach Josh Lynn. At the conference’s media days Tuesday, Lynn added that with each year has garnered new expectations for the team…
The Lopers are also a pre-season favorite entering the year in the D2 Top 25 as well as finishing second in the MIAA Media Pre-season poll. UNK finished last season with a second round exit in the D2 Playoffs after earning their first postseason win in a decade.
DAVIS – UNK CAN’T STOP MOMENTUM:
UNK Football brings back a full offensive arsenal after the best season in recent memory, finishing 10-3 in 2021. A big reason for the Lopers success was Harlon Hill trophy finalist and first team All-American quarterback TJ Davis, who spoke at the MIAA Media Days that Kearney will have to continue this momentum…
Davis finished last season with over 2,200 passing yards and topping 1,100 yards rushing with 39 touchdowns scored. The Lopers begin their season at Missouri Southern on September 1.
SWANSON – NEW LOPER STANDARD? UNDEFEATED:
The Loper Football team carried a high octane offense to a 10-3 record last season, but also flexed a stingier defense than seen in previous seasons. All-American safety for the Lopers Darius Swanson added at the MIAA Media Days Tuesday that last year wasn’t good enough…
The Lopers best season in a decade came in 2021 with a playoff berth and victory, falling to Angelo State in Texas in the second round of the D2 Playoffs.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
FRIDAY:
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
SATURDAY:
- N/a
SUNDAY:
- N/a
