Breaking down the D-2 state final
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
Here's the keys to the D-2 state football final.
No. 1: Quarterbacks Brett Kaczor of Ewing and Derek Classen of Humphrey St. Francis will need to be particularly wary when they drop back to pass. The Ewing defense has intercepted 23 passes this season, led by Austin Kaczor’s eight picks and seven by Josiah Switzer. The Humphrey St. Francis defense has 24 interceptions. Classen, obviously well-versed in how quarterbacks think, has six and Jameson Werner has six. “We’ve played some teams that have spread it out, but Ewing’s talent level is better than we’ve seen in the spread,” said St. Francis coach Eric Kessler. “We’ve had quite a few interceptions that we took back for points right away.”
No. 2: Ewing goes for offensive balance, with Brett Kaczor and Beau Fry each rushing for more than 1,000 yards and with Kaczor throwing for more than 1,500, more than 1,000 of them to his brother, Austin. “It’s tough to defend us because we have so many weapons and Brett does a good job distributing the football,” said Ewing coach Brock Eichelberger. Although the Flyers have been stingy, allowing just 142.2 yards a game, Kessler said Ewing causes problems. “They run some stuff similar to others, but much of what they do is different. It’s something to prepare for in a short week,” said Kessler.
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Ewing has been busy
A state championship in volleyball. A win in the state football semifinals. And 600 miles behind the wheel.
Saturday was not a relaxing day for fans of the fall sports teams at Ewing, but when Greg Appleby, principal and athletic director, finally made it home around 11 p.m., there was still more exhilaration than exhaustion.
“It was quite a day,” he said.
Appleby was back at the wheel Wednesday afternoon, driving to Lincoln for today’s Class D-2 state football championship game. The Tigers can pull off a double, adding a football crown to the volleyball championship that Ewing claimed on Saturday.
That title victory, a three-set sweep in the 9:30 a.m. match, marked the beginning of a pilgrimage of sorts for Appleby and 20 to 30 other Tigers’ fans.
After watching Ewing hoist the championship trophy, they dashed from the NU Coliseum, hitting the interstate by around 11 a.m. Kickoff for the Class D-2 football semifinal in Hayes Center ” a 300-mile trek from Lincoln ” was strategically set for 3 p.m.
Appleby made it with five minutes to spare.
“Our timing was perfect,” he said. And so to was the team’s timing. Ewing grabbed an interception on the second play of the game and rolled to a 36-27 victory.
After briefly celebrating the win, there was still the drive home. From Hayes Center, located southwest of North Platte, to Ewing, located northwest of Norfolk, was another 300 miles.
And more will be headed to Lincoln today.
“I’m just glad the gas prices are down,” Appleby said. “That helps.”
No. 3: For Humphrey St. Francis, the offensive story has mostly been Matt Korus, who has rushed for 1,536 yards, although Derek Classen has spread the ball around through the air for more than 900 yards. “Matt is our bread and butter. Our line has done a great job opening holes, which allows Matt to run hard and Derek to pick and choose play action.” Brett Kaczor and Logan Schrunk each have 10 quarterback sacks, so time will be of the essence for Classen. “We spend more time throughout the week preparing our defense,” said Eichelberger. “If the defense plays well, we have an opportunity to win.”
— Ryly Jane Hambleton
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