2025 Week 10 (Nebraska)

After last week’s trouble with my injured leg, I wasn’t quite sure what I would be doing this week. I was in Alliance, Nebraska most of the week from Sunday through Wednesday. And on Thursday had to find something as the Nebraska 6-man and 8-man playoffs were being played that night.

I was going to be near Grand Island on that night, so I wanted something new and near. And I settled on Sandy Creek High School. Located about an hour southeast of Grand Island, the Cougars were the defending D1 state champions. They were hosting EMF, a co-op between Exeter-Milligan and Friend. I had seen Exeter-Milligan years ago in a state championship game against Anselmo-Merna. EMF, as they’re mostly known now, played in the state championship game in 2023, as well.

So, on Thursday afternoon, I headed east along I-80 before exiting onto NE10 east of Kearney. Going south through Minden and then east along NE74. Which would run me eventually into the small town of Fairfield. But I wasn’t done yet. Sandy Creek was located a few miles east of town. NE14 runs north/south east of town, and NE74 turns south for a short distance before continuing east. Along that very brief multiplex of roads, sits Sandy Creek, alone by itself surrounded by fields, atop a hill.

I had misjudged the trip and didn’t arrive until after 6pm, but had little issue getting in. Stopping for a welcome sign to the town, and photos of the school sign and front facade before making my way behind the school to the field.

The complex is beautiful. Everything in red with fresh concrete. They had free programs, again, for the game and the concession stand smelled great. Fresh burgers. Along with pretzel bites. At first I thought these were regular pretzels, but they were buttered and tossed with some cinnamon sugar.

The burger was, as many are, served with a cold slab of cheese. Long after the burger was made. Though the taste was great, the texture and cold cheese was unpleasant. The pretzel bites more than made up for it. At $3 for the bites, $5 for the burger, and $2 for the gatorade. It was a good meal, but I spent more time on the sideline than anticipated. But I hadn’t eaten yet on the drive over.

The concession stand was also selling Runza sandwich meals for $8. But, having had Runza twice now in my life, twice was enough. If you’re unfamiliar with Runza, just think of a soggy Hot Pocket served by a fast food restaurant. It’s a very similar concept. They do serve regular burgers, and they’re not bad, but they’re also not great, either.

Aside from that, on to the game.

With the sun setting quickly, I wanted to get a shot of the sunset. And it was fading so quickly. The visitor side had no stands, as everyone sat on the home/east side. A row of trees lined the far side of the field with a scoreboard/videoboard situated right at midfield.

I got onto the field after finishing the pretzel bites, and got the player introductions. As with several states out here, they introduce the starting lineups rather than a full team run-through.

#42 – Sandy Creek v. Exeter-Milligan/Friend

Now, I had seen the projections for this game. It wasn’t expected to be close. But I had high hopes of this one. And for a while, EMF was matching the tempo. But as the first quarter ran on, it was apparent that Sandy Creek was the better team and time would soon tell the true difference between the teams.

After giving up an early score, EMF answered with 37 seconds left. But was thwarted on the two-point rushing attempt, to trail 8-6. Three touchdowns in the second quarter had put the game out of reach. EMF didn’t have the firepower to keep pace. And it started to become a slog of a game. Sandy Creek started eyeing the running clock rules, which were 35 points in Nebraska.

And halfway through the third quarter, the Cougars do-everything Kamerin Sealey had a long touchdown run to make it 46-6. And greatly speeding up the game.

After Sealey added his 4th touchdown of the game, achieving the rank of Al Bundy in the game, the two sides traded touchdowns in the fast fourth quarter. And Sandy Creek started their title defense with a 60-14 victory.

Nebraska 8-man Spotlight: Sandy Creek opens playoffs with 60-14 thumping of EMF (PHOTO GALLERY)

After the game, there wasn’t much to do except head up to Grand Island for the night. An hour or so drive zig-zagging on the gridlike roads through Nebraska’s farmland.

Sandy Creek is a consolidated district of several towns and schools. Including Fairfield, Clay Center, Deweese, Glenvil and Edgar. I headed north to Clay Center along NE14, and then went west along much more familiar US6. Funny that I have seen games along this one stretch of marked U.S. highway through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Then north around Hastings, across I-80, and into Grand Island.

The next morning, I had work to attend to. And didn’t get to leave town until nearly 5pm. I had hoped to see a game in Sumner. A six-man playoff game between Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, hosting Wallace. But, as with many games in this part of the country, kickoff was set for 2pm on a Friday. Which meant leaving Grand Island no later than noon. And that was not happening.

I had considered Gibbon as my primary backup. Another one was in Centura, another school similar to Sandy Creek that existed all by itself far from town. And the absolute last option was to stay in Grand Island and see Grand Island Central Catholic. My only misgivings for that was that it was at Memorial Stadium in town, where I had seen the public school, Grand Island, play back in 2010. And though it would be fun to return, I wasn’t that interested.

With SMF no longer possible, I set my eyes to Gibbon.

Just after 5pm, I headed west from town, along US30. Ignoring the call to head south to I-80. Though slower, the drive along US30 was more serene and peaceful. And interesting. New construction west of town had extended the bypass of US30 from where it snakes its way through city streets into the western expanse of the city as a further bypass than it had when it crosses US281.

I got into town and followed the overpass access route to continue south on NE100 toward the school. I had initially made the mistaken calculation that Gibbon played at the field on the west side of town. My initial search was just of the town and I quickly found what I thought and assumed was their football field. And it very much could have been at one time in the past. But it was not their field. As their field was at the school south of town. Luckily I was not in a huge hurry when I got into town so had already found its location with enough time.

I stopped at the Sinclair across the street for something to drink and get a photo of the school sign. Then made my way over to the field, which I’ve been told has not been officially named.

As with many situations where this arises, my general rule is it’s a field in a town, so it’s “(name of town) Field”, and that’s what I did here, calling it Gibbon Field. It’s technically correct. And that’s the best kind of correct.

I stopped at the ticket table, and got the rosters for the teams. And went to the concession stand/pressbox behind the stands to use the bathroom. And had considered getting a brat, as they were selling them for a fundraiser beside the concession stand. But I decided against it. I had eaten lunch and didn’t want anything right before the game. As I had the night before.

What is interesting is that the team uses the Buffalo Bills logos repeatedly around the facility. On the fence with plastic popouts, on the scoreboard, on the sign, and elsewhere. And though they use the same pattern for the helmet, the helmets and uniforms are much more the color scheme of the Detroit Lions. Giving a strange duality of their identity: Bills and Lions. Billions. In Gibbon.

But aside from that, it was another small school and their opponent, were both schools I had wanted to see for a while. And was happy to be wrong about their field. Situated south of the school, the field sits surrounded by corn fields. Though mostly culled, the corn did still stand behind the east side. Where again this stadium was another ‘one side only’ stadium. Much to the dismay of some Superior fans who had setup chairs along the eastern track hoping to sit on their team’s side of the field. Before being directed to the stands or the grass beyond the stands but behind the fence where their chairs could be arranged.

#43 – Gibbon v. Superior

Superior is also another place I want to see one day. Located near the state border with Kansas, the Wildcats have long been on my list and was glad to finally see them. Though unfortunately not at their home field.

With just one win for the Gibbon Buffaloes this season, this game was not expected to be close. Or even competitive. But that didn’t stop the Buffaloes.

They stymied the Wildcats in many ways. Including intercepting a forced pass breakup that was tipped. But 14 minutes into the game, Superior finally found the endzone, going up 7-0. Another score, and it felt like the game was going to snowball quickly.

But it didn’t.

Gibbon found the endzone themselves, to cut the lead to 13-6 midway through the second quarter.

Despite another touchdown late in the half, Gibbon was holding on, down 19-6. And showing some life. But it was far from certain they’d be able to match Superior’s superior offense.

They came out in the second half on fire. A quick touchdown just 1:37 into the second half, and Gibbon now trailed by six. But just as they had done in the first half, a touchdown by Gibbon was quickly answered by one for Superior. Going up 27-13.

And again, Gibbon couldn’t be shaken that easily. Another touchdown not even three minutes later. Cut the game to 27-20. Going into the fourth quarter, down seven. Scoring at least 20 points for just the second time all season. Scoring more than a touchdown for just the third time all season. And their fourth non-shutout of the season.

The Buffaloes were determined go out on a high note.

Superior was too much. Hanging on to hope entering the final frame, Superior punched in a one yard run just ten seconds later. The two touchdown lead, 35-20 was now just too much. With the heavy mist and fog rolling in, the game became difficult for both sides. Which favored the leading team. Who just had to weather the conditions. Another touchdown made it 41-20. And just a few more drives stood between the two squads and the offseason. Superior wins, 41-20.

Nebraska 11-man Spotlight: Superior 41, Gibbon 20 (PHOTO GALLERY)

After the game I stayed in town, and called it a weekend. There were no Saturday games in Nebraska. And none that were within driving distance in practically any direction. Which was fine. Though my leg was feeling better, walking the sideline for two games was more than enough for me.

ECONOMICS

Once again, I spent very little money this weekend outside of work. I spent $10 at Sandy Creek. And I spent $3 at the Sinclair in Gibbon for something to drink. For the weekend, I drove 143 miles for the games.

I added four new teams and two new stadiums to my tally. Bringing me to 1697 total, different teams. And Gibbon Field was my 558th on the season.