Oakland-Craig defeats Battle Creek in semifinals to advance to state championship

The Oakland-Craig Knights advanced to the Class C-2 State Championship game with a 27-14 home win over Battle Creek in the semifinals Friday night.

Oakland-Craig started strong, going up 13-0 at halftime.

The Braves battled back, outscoring the Knights 14-6 in the second quarter to make it a 19-14 game at halftime.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Oakland-Craig notched 8 fourth quarter points to make up the final score.

Cole Mitchell was 13-19 passing for 231 yards with three touchdowns.

Cody Mace hauled in six passes for 103 yards, including two scores. Zach Ahrens had two catches for 73 yards.

Mitchell rushed for 56 yards on 14 carries, and recorded a touchdown.

Josh Dixon had a game-high 12 tackles while Conner Thiele notched 8. Mitchell, Hos Smith, and Ben Ward each made 7 tackles.

The Knights totaled 314 yards of offense, 231 coming through the air.

Battle Creek amassed 265 yards of offense, including 229 rushing.

This was an absolute great win for Oakland-Craig. Not only did the Knights advance to the state championship, they avenged their only loss of the season.

Oakland-Craig (11-1) takes on David City Aquinas (11-1) in the Class C-2 State Championship game next Tuesday at 2:45 p..m. at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

The Monarchs have had a fine playoff run of their own, defeating Hastings St. Cecilia 51-7 in the other C-2 semifinal Friday night.

David City Aquinas is obviously very good, and I'm sure mostly everybody figured they would reach the state championship game again.

I think the Knights making the state title game is a surprise to many. It's not a surprise to these kids, coaches, and fans though I'm willing to bet.

This team has believed all season long, and has continued to get better each week, and all their hard work paid off Friday night in the win over the Braves.

Oakland-Craig has to savor the moment of being in the state championship game. The Knights definitely want to win the game, but making it to the state championship is quite an accomplishment in itself for this team.

Oakland-Craig has to play the same brand of football they have all season long.

I was quite impressed with the Knights' passing game Friday night. Smith was shutdown, but Mitchell showed this team can throw the ball, slinging the ball around the yard the way he did.

Oakland-Craig is a team to be reckoned with, and shouldn't be under estimated or counted out against the Monarchs.

Listen to next Tuesday's game on 107.9 the Bull. Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m.