• Photo Showcase: Nebraska prep football playoffs, Nov. 9

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WAHOO, Neb. — It was fitting that Kory Schaefer's 66-yard fumble recovery sealed Norfolk Catholic's 35-21 quarterfinal win over Wahoo on Tuesday night, because it was the Knights' defense that lifted them into the next round.

Norfolk Catholic's defense limited Wahoo to 44 yards rushing in the second half after the Warriors had rung up 193 yards on the ground in the first 24 minutes. Wahoo had only three possessions in the opening half but scored touchdowns on all three and led 21-17 at the break.

“We talked at halftime about having heart,” said Norfolk Catholic coach Jeff Bellar. “We challenged them to play better. I thought at times we were there defensively, but you have to make tackles.”

Wahoo's Greg Milliken gave the Knights fits the entire first half, rushing 12 times for 146 yards — including a 69-yard scoring run that tied the game at 7.

“That kid is fast,” Bellar said. “I don't think we've had anyone run 70 yards against us all season.”

Wahoo seemed like it would take all the momentum into the locker room at halftime after tight end Christian Hohl made a great adjustment and grabbed an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sean Lindgren with just 38 seconds to play in the half.

But after Drew Farlee returned a squib kick to the Norfolk Catholic 45-yard line, Knights quarterback Jordan Bellar completed three straight passes — including a 25-yard grab by senior wideout Ethan Brozek — that allowed Farlee to hit a 28-yard field goal to cut the Warriors' halftime lead to four.

But Farlee was just getting warmed up.

Midway through the third quarter, the Knights faced a fourth-and 16 at the Wahoo 40-yard line. Bellar decided to roll the dice and sent Farlee in to attempt a Class C state playoff record 57-yard field goal.

With the wind behind him, Farlee's kick split the uprights, making it a 21-20 game.

“Drew has a great leg,” Bellar said. “But truly, we were hoping to pin them deep, play defense, and make them punt the football, and if Drew hit it hard, it could be three. Drew definitely hit it hard.”

Norfolk Catholic took the lead after forcing Wahoo to punt into that stiff breeze. The Knights took over at the Wahoo 37-yard line and scored in just six plays. Schaefer capped the drive, punching it in from 2 yards out. Jordan Bellar hit Erik Becker for a 2-point conversion to make it 28-21 with 10:50 to play.

Wahoo mounted one last offensive threat, moving 47 yards to the Norfolk Catholic 29-yard line with 1:36 left. On first down, Lindgren was hit by three Norfolk Catholic defenders and fumbled. Schaefer picked up the loose ball and sprinted 66 yards for the clincher.

Wahoo coach Chad Fox offered no excuses, even after losing Milliken to injury early in the fourth quarter.

“We had a chance to win late, but didn't get it done,” he said. “We had them on the ropes a little, but you need to put some points on the board in the second half to have a chance against a great team like that. It was tough to lose Greg, but we didn't seem to have a letdown. I really can't ask for more from our kids.”

Norfolk Catholic..................7 10 3 15—35
Wahoo..................7 14 0 0—21
NC: Kory Schaefer 1 run (Drew Farlee kick)
WAH: Greg Milliken 69 run (Ethan Harders kick)
WAH: Sean Lindgren 4 run (Harders kick)
NC: Jordan Molacek 15 run (Farlee kick)
WAH: Christan Hohl 11 pass from Lindgren (Harders kick)
NC: Farlee 28 field goal
NC: Farlee 57 field goal
NC: Schaefer 2 run (Erik Becker pass from Jordan Bellar)
NC: Schaefer 66 fumble return (Farlee kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: NC, Kory Schaefer 21-126, Jordan Bellar 6-14, Jordan Molacek 2-23, Luke Lyons 3-41, Erik Becker 1-7, Dillon Arens 3-minus 1. Wahoo, Greg Milliken 16-159, Sean Lindgren 18-51, Seth Stewart 8-27.
Passing: NC, Jordan Bellar 7-15-73. W, Sean Lindgren 10-20-76.
Receiving: NC, Ethan Brozek 2-27, Erik Becker 2-22, Kory Schaefer 2-14, Luke Lyons 1-10. W, Justin Lewandowski 3-31, Josh Proctor 2-7, Michael Kersten 1-19, Seth Stewart 1-12, Christian Hohl 1-11, Greg Milliken 2-minus 4.

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