North Bend Central outlasts North Platte St. Pat's in first round of playoffs

The North Bend Central Football Team downed North Platte St. Pat's 34-19 at home Friday night in the first round of the playoffs.

Here is Head Coach Ryan Stieren to break the game down:

After being down 14-13 at halftime, we outscored them 21-5 in the 2nd half. Offensively, Austin Endorf was 12-20 for 220 yards with 3 TD passes and he also rushed 8 times for 72 yards. Cody Pospisil caught 3 passes for 68 yards and a TD. Ethan Mullally rushed 13 times for 72 yards. Defensively, we were led by Cole Johnson who had 15 tackles on the night and Cody Prohaska who had 2 interceptions including 1 that he returned 80 yards for a TD.

The Tigers had 337 yards of total offense, including 193 through the air.

Stieren says his team wore down the Irish in the 2nd half to pick up a huge victory for the program. "I am really proud of our kids for showing some toughness in this game because St. Pat's got off the bus and really took it to us the 1st half. We were the stronger team and as time went on, we were able to have huge explosive plays on offense and defense to put the game away. This is a great win for our program because it is the 2nd playoff in the history of our program. Now, we need to get to work to prepare for an excellent BRLD team."

North Bend Central (9-1) hosts BRLD (9-1) in the C-2 State Quarterfinals Friday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

BRLD topped Wilber-Clatonia 39-21 at home in last week's first round.

BRLD is led by Quarterback Will Gatzemeyer and Wide Receiver Lucas Vogt.

Gatzemeyer has over 2,300 yards passing and over 1,400 rushing on the season so far.

Of course the Tigers are led by Endorf and Mullally, who have over 2,100 yards passing and nearly 1,300 yards rushing, respectively.

I feel these two teams are very similar in a lot of ways.

Both are very physical and hard nosed, smashmouth football teams.

I think the Wolverines might be a tad bit more dynamic and explosive on offense, but I give the advantage on defense to North Bend Central.

I feel this game will come down to the 4th quarter, and whoever wins will have earned it for sure.

I think the Tigers being at home is a big advantage for them.

I also think beating Aquinas gives North Bend Central the confidence to knock off a team like BRLD as well.

Both teams are so good and have played such a tough schedule, and have definitely earned everything they have accomplished to this point.

It's two great teams going at it, and unfortunately only one can win.

This is a huge game and a huge deal and position for the Tigers to be in though.

It's not everyday North Bend Central hosts a Quarterfinal Playoff Football Game.

They are though, and this game figures to be great and should come down to the wire.

I'm excited to listen to the game and I hope you are as well if you aren't going to attend it in person.

It should be a great and action packed night of High School Football on the Bull, and I'm really looking forward to it, and I hope you are as well.

Kickoff from North Bend is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with pregame beginning at 6:30 on the Bull.