GACC tops Nebraska Christian in opener

The GACC Football team topped Nebraska Christian 32-12 on the road Friday night.

The game was tied at 6 after one, and then the Bluejays blanked the Eagles 8-0 in the second quarter to take a 14-6 lead into the locker room.

GACC shutout Nebraska Christian 12-0 in the third quarter to go up 26-6 after three.

Both teams scored 6 points in the fourth quarter.

Jared Minnick had 255 yards rushing on 31 carries, including four touchdowns. Derek Petz was 5-11 passing for 48 yards and an interception.

Jadyn Smeal made 10 tackles while Noah Hass had 9.

The Bluejays racked up 373 yards of total offense, 315 of them rushing.

The defense gave up 172 yards of offense, 149 coming on the ground.

Very great performance from Minnick. He is definitely the key to GACC's success this season, in my opinion.

Coverage of high school football continues this Friday on 107.9 The Bull as the 1-0 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Bluejays host the 0-1 Clarkson/Leigh Patriots in Beemer.

Head Coach Dave Ridder comments on scouting the Patriots. "They have some pretty good athletes and they like to use their running game to set up the pass," Ridder said. "Defensively they like to do some things to try to confuse you up front. So we have some things to work on."

I'd say slowing down Anthony Bruhn is absolutely critical to GACC's success.

This game figures to be a chess match between both coaches with both teams having that one star player.

Minnick was more impressive than Bruhn in Week 1 I would say, but Bruhn is still a very good player, and the Bluejays need to come up with a game plan to slow him down, if they haven't already.

Bruhn had 112 yards rushing and 107 yards passing in Clarkson/Leigh's loss to Pender last week so you know he can definitely get the job done.

I would say the biggest thing for GACC is slowing him down and forcing someone else to beat them.

That or if the Bluejays can keep everyone besides Bruhn in check, and just let Bruhn get his yards, then GACC could be okay that way too.

I would say it's going to take more than one player to knock off the Bluejays, and any team that beats GACC is a great team.

I don't know if the Patriots will be able to slow down Minnick, and I'm not sure if Clarkson/Leigh's offense can keep up with the Bluejays'.

If anything I expect this game to be a high scoring affair with a running clock perhaps.

I think GACC is just as good if not better than they were last year, but the Bluejays have to come ready to play just like they did last week.

This week is Clarkson/Leigh, and that's the only team that should be on GACC's mind and radar.

If the Bluejays focus in on and prepare well for the Patriots then everything else will take care of itself.

Kickoff Friday night is scheduled for 7:00, with the St. Francis Memorial Hospital Pregame Show at 6:40. Listen live on 107.9 The Bull, online at kticradio.com and on the free KTIC Radio app.