Beemer-The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Football team outlasted Creighton 48-44 at home in the State Semifinals Monday night.
Jared Minnick led the Bluejays' rushing attack with 63 yards on 15 carries. Quarterback Nolan Plagge added 52 yards on 19 attempts.
Plagge was 6-11 passing for 170 yards passing with two interceptions. Cole Kreikemeier went 1-1 for 54 yards.
Kreikemeier hauled in 6 passes for 139 yards, and scored three touchdowns. Andrew Guenther had 2 catches for 57 yards while Kobe Slaughter hauled in a 55-yard TD pass.
Plagge made 18 tackles while Gage Herbert and Connor Klitz notched 16 and 15, respectively. Casey Doernemann added 9.
GACC amassed 349 yards of total offense, including 220 through the air.
Creighton had 441 yards of total offense, 307 coming on the ground.
Head Coach Dave Ridder.
"We've had this motto all year long...we don't have anybody great, we just have a bunch of kids that love to play together. Great team chemistry. Young kids, they really put in the effort this year. And they play well together. And basically our motto all year has been just ordinary average guys."
The Bluejays (12-0) advance to the Class D-1 State Championship Game against Burwell next Monday at 2:45 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
The Longhorns topped Palmer 26-24 at home in their semifinal game on Monday.
Ridder says his team will approach this game with Burwell just like any other.
"We're just preparing to do as best we can. And the game is whatever happens, happens. And if we win a state championship that's great, but hopefully we can play our best game. We still haven't played our best game yet."
Ridder's seen Burwell play before.
"I did go watch them play last year. They're a tough physical team. So we'll have our work cut out for us again."
Ridder says the Longhorns are talented.
"They like to run the ball a lot, and they're a very physical team. They have a pretty good defense, and their offense is very good. And they're very physical up front with their line, and they have a very good running back. A big kid about 6'1, 205."
The Longhorns will certainly challenge GACC, there's no doubt about it, but time and time again, the Bluejays have rose to the challenge and been successful.
There's no doubt GACC can win again on Monday.
It would be such a special feeling for these players, coaches, and fans to experience another state championship.
I'm honestly excited for the Bluejays to play in another state championship game. This is what these kids have dreamed about their entire lives...playing at Memorial Stadium is a once in a lifetime experience for most teams.
GACC has to take it all in and play their game.
Burwell has more state championship experience from a player standpoint having been there last year, but the Bluejays should still be fine.
I really do think GACC has a good chance to bring home another state championship.
It would be quite the accomplishment for the Bluejays to win another state title, and I definitely think it can happen.
The players just have to be focused for four quarters and play their hearts out.
The higher the stakes, the better it seems GACC plays.
I'm sure there will be some pre/early game jitters and all that goes with playing in a state championship game, but once the Bluejays get all the butterflies out of their system, they should be ready to go.
The game will be carried on 107.9 the Bull.
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