Omaha to face Bennington in Scutt Class B championship

Skyhawks coach Matt Terman said it’s better to get a rematch than to relive a 14-13 season-opening loss to the Badgers on a disputed touchdown with seconds remaining.

“We talked then that it doesn’t matter what we think or probably what the majority of people watching the replay say,” Terman said. “The important thing is we were 0-1 and we had to figure out how to overcome that. They’ve done a really good job with that.

“We’ve got to get that last chance to win and go back and get that first chance. They’ve earned that opportunity and Monday night will be an exciting, thrilling game.

Bennington-Scutt II, featuring teams that have won seven of the last 11 Class B titles, is Monday at Memorial Stadium at 7:15 p.m.

Bennington would be the first to win three consecutive Class B titles. The Badgers have a 38-game winning streak, matching McCook’s Class B record – the Bison had their streak broken at Memorial Stadium in 2004 on a 14–9 loss to Lincoln Pius

The No. 1 Badgers (12-0) went through a reloading season, coach Kam Lenhart said.

“Installing a new offensive scheme, first-year starting quarterback, first-year starting running back, some new guys on the line for the first time, we just knew it was going to take time for all of those guys to start clicking and really Understand how to play together,” Lenhart said.

Peyton Sanman has thrown for 1,495 yards and 16 touchdowns and Quinton Archer has thrown for 1,686 yards and 15 scores.

“Offensively, I think they’ve really started to hang their hat on the run game,” Terman said. “I’m not sure if we thought in Week 1 that Archer would be a 1,700-yard rusher at this point.” time, but he’s really improved.”

Archer, a 5-foot-6-inch, 170-pound senior, will provide a challenge for the Skyhawks defense. This includes allowing an average of 73 rushing yards a game.

Turman said, “That’s probably the second-best average in our school history. If we can hold him to 75 yards I’d really like our chances. To do that, it’s going to be pretty tough.”

No. 2 Skutt (11-1) has developed a strong I-formation identity with ample usage of fullback Maxwell Chandler. Colin Pike (867 yards) and Anthony Heithoff (777) have shared I-back carries. Pike missed the semifinal win at Waverly due to injury but is expected to play Monday.

Bennett Turman, the coach’s son, missed several games after the Bennington loss due to strep throat and mononucleosis. He threw for 1,188 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 527 and 11 scores.

Lenhart said, “He’s shown a lot on film that he can do much more than he did the first time around.” Make sure this doesn’t happen.

“But at the end of the day, we still have to make sure that we take away their livelihood. “They do a great job with the downhill running game and so we have to make sure we stop that early.”

Bennington, behind state champion wrestler Kyler Lauridsen at linebacker, is allowing 7.8 points per game.

“Their defense has really improved in the running game,” Coach Turman said. “I mean, it was always nice, but we’ve got our work cut out for us there.”