Breaking down the Class C-2 state final
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
Here's a look at the Class C-2 state final.
No. 1
SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE: It’s strength against strength in this game — Archbishop Bergan’s high-flying spread offense against Blue Hill’s blue-collar defense. “We have to keep them off-balance with our play-calling because they play really aggressively,” Bergan coach Ron Beacom said. “Defense is where they really shine. They have some good kids and they run to the football well.” Bergan’s 320.8 yards of total offense per game and 28.8 scoring average will be tough for the Bobcats. “The kids take maybe just a little more pride in what they do defensively,” said Blue Hill coach Scott Porter. “Our defense is pretty Plain-Jane, but it works.”
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Blue Hill coach Scott Porter, whose team is in the state title game for the third straight season, shares a look at the days leading to kickoff:
Saturday, 9 p.m.: Blue Hill learns it will be playing Archbishop Bergan. With Blue Hill's game completed two hours earlier, it was a waiting game. A player's sister-in-law had been calling from Fremont with game updates.
Sunday, 3 p.m.: Bergan coach Ron Beacom meets Porter at a gas station in Seward. They exchange film from the previous two games, a team roster and small talk.
Sunday, 11:30 p.m.: A coaches' meeting at the home of assistant coach Mike Hastings breaks up after three hours. They’ll meet again Monday night to watch more film and finalize game plans. "We've tweaked a few things, but we've made it this far, you don’t want to tinker too much," Porter says.
Monday, 4:20 p.m.: After a chaotic day when Porter had to update stats and work on travel plans, the team is on the practice field. "That's my sanctuary, where I can go work and feel comfortable doing what I love to do, besides teaching my first-grade class," Porter said.
Thursday, 4 p.m.: If there was a pep rally in Blue Hill this year, the team wasn't there. A few parents were disappointed, but understood the coaches' reasoning. "I'm doing what I feel is right for the boys to get them prepared," Porter said.
Thursday, 4:30 p.m.: After a short practice, the team was on the road to spend the night in Lincoln. That's different from the past, when the team left town at 6 the morning of the game.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.: The team arrives at Memorial Stadium. In two hours, the TV cameras will turn on, and the starters will be introduced. Porter will be glad the game has finally arrived.
"I'll have my nerves and everything, but hopefully everything settles down, and we can concentrate on what’s at hand," he said.
— Brent C. Wagner
No. 2
GETTING TO KNOW YOU: It was a learning process for quarterback Riley Gross and the Bergan coaches. “Riley has a different skill set than what Joey (Spellerberg) had and we had to find out what was going to be good for him and how that fit with everybody around him,” said Beacom. “Riley is awfully quick and when we can get him into space, he’s tough to get. We’ve added a pretty good option mix into our spread stuff.”
No. 3
AVENGING LOSSES: Both teams used losses to bring about the changes that got them to the finals. Blue Hill lost in the season opener to Cambridge 19-2. “That was by far the worst game that we’ve played since I’ve been here, but it was kind of a wakeup call for us,” said Porter. “We moved Riley Bonifas to running back and the kids just started coming together.” Bergan avenged both losses in the playoffs, knocking off top-ranked Stanton and then halting No. 2 Elmwood-Murdock. “The first Stanton game really turned us around. They pretty well popped us,” said Beacom. “But they weren’t defeated, they just got beat in one game. Our practice intensity really picked up after that. We convinced the kids that we had a better plan the second time.”
No. 4
NO SLOWING DOWN: The Blue Hill defense must adjust to Bergan’s quick game pace. “We’re always in a two-minute offense, with no huddle and moving fast,” said Beacom. “We always told Riley there was a difference between playing fast and hurrying. When you hurry, you tend to miss things. When you play fast, if you do it well, everything slows down around you.”
— Ryly Jane Hambleton
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