The Bishop Neumann (Wahoo, NE) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Battle Creek (NE) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 NSAA State Football Championships (Nebraska) – Class C2 tournament.

Battle Creek vs Bishop Neumann Football Game Info:

What: Nebraska High School Football Playoffs
Who: Battle Creek vs Bishop Neumann
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Battle Creek vs Bishop Neumann

As the high school football season reaches its peak, two powerhouse teams—Battle Creek and Bishop Neumann—are set to square off in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Let’s take a closer look at their records, team stats, and key players to see what each team brings to the table.

Team Records & Rankings

• Battle Creek enters the game with a solid 9-2 record, having a balanced performance across their district and non-district games. Their district record stands at 3-2, while they’ve remained unbeaten at home with a perfect 5-0 record. The team has demonstrated resilience, with an overall win percentage of .818 and a district win percentage of .600.
• Bishop Neumann, on the other hand, has been dominant this season with a 10-1 record, boasting an incredible 5-0 district record. They’ve been especially formidable on their home field, going 5-1 in away games and maintaining a perfect 5-0 record in district matchups. Their overall win percentage stands at .909, with a district win percentage of 1.000.

Scoring & Offensive Breakdown

The game will likely come down to which offense can execute their game plan better:

• Battle Creek has an average of 32.5 points per game (PPG), showing a strong scoring ability. Their offense is balanced, scoring an average of 6.4 points in the first quarter, with a noticeable spike to 11.2 in the second quarter. However, they have a slight dip in the third quarter (7.7 points) and maintain a consistent 7.2 points in the final quarter.
• Bishop Neumann, known for their explosive offensive play, averages a staggering 47.9 PPG. They dominate the first half, putting up 21.9 points in the first quarter and 18.1 in the second. Though their scoring drops off a bit in the second half (10.6 in the third and 3.0 in the fourth), their first-half scoring blitz makes them one of the most dangerous teams to face.

Team Stat Comparison

In terms of overall yards per game, both teams are impressive:

• Battle Creek averages 324.3 total yards per game, with a strong ground game (230.5 rushing yards per game) and a solid passing game (93.8 passing yards per game). Their defensive unit also averages 66 tackles per game, contributing to their solid all-around performance.
• Bishop Neumann outpaces Battle Creek in total yards per game with 384.4 yards, including 305.9 rushing yards per game. Their passing game is more modest, with 78.5 passing yards per game, but their rushing attack makes them a tough matchup. Defensively, they average 63.5 tackles per game and 1.8 sacks, showing a well-rounded defensive unit.

Key Players to Watch

• Battle Creek’s offense revolves around #4 Jaxon Mettler, who has been outstanding with 63.3 rushing yards per game and 90.2 passing yards per game. Mettler’s versatility makes him a dual-threat quarterback capable of leading his team to victory. Additionally, #80 Conner Neuhalfen (25.1 receiving yards per game) and #50 Brek Thompson (6.8 tackles per game) are other key contributors.
• For Bishop Neumann, #23 Conor Booth has been a standout player, with 260.4 rushing yards per game. Booth’s ability to break big plays on the ground will be a major challenge for Battle Creek’s defense. Quarterback #7 Jake Rezac has thrown for 62.5 passing yards per game, and defensively, #18 Jack Van Slyke (11.5 tackles per game) and #64 Jack Dart (1.5 sacks per game) are key defensive leaders.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, providing insight into their relative strengths:

• Battle Creek went 2-2 against common opponents, with notable wins over West Point-Beemer (28-0) and Malcolm (30-27), but suffered narrow losses to Cedar Catholic (21-14) and Norfolk Catholic (19-14).
• Bishop Neumann fared better, going 3-1 in games against common opponents, including wins over West Point-Beemer (40-6) and Malcolm (53-7), and a close victory against Cedar Catholic (24-21). Their only loss came at the hands of Norfolk Catholic (28-21), showing a stronger overall record against shared competition.

Final Thoughts

This matchup between Battle Creek and Bishop Neumann presents an exciting contrast of styles. While Battle Creek brings a balanced offensive attack with a strong running game, Bishop Neumann’s high-scoring offense, led by Booth, makes them one of the toughest teams to beat. With both teams performing well against common opponents and boasting standout players on both sides of the ball, this game is sure to be a thrilling battle.

As the season reaches its conclusion, the stakes are high for both teams. Will Battle Creek continue their dominance at home, or will Bishop Neumann’s high-powered offense prove too much to handle? Only time will tell as these two teams prepare to leave it all on the field.