Good morning! Yesterday was the Class A semifinals, I went 2/4 in my predictions. But, today it’s time to determine our Class B state championship games to be played on Monday and Tuesday. The first five days of the tournament have certainly been exciting and there is still plenty at stake here on day six.
On Wednesday and Thursday, I ranked each of the Class B teams based on their chances of winning the state championship. Today will be a little different as I preview each of the four matches and give you my picks on who is going to advance.
Girls
Noon – No. 1 Gretna East vs No. 5 Blair
On Wednesday, I compared Gretna East to Goliath and every other team to David. That comparison still seems to be true. The Griffins took care of No. 8 Elkhorn 6-2 in their quarterfinal match. Can Gretna East find a way to defeat Blair for a third time this season?
Blair gave No. 4 Omaha Skutt Catholic their first quarterfinal loss in over a decade in their quarterfinal. The Bears dug down deep to grind out the victory, but they will need their high-octane offense back today if they are going to pull off the upset. Will Blair’s offense be able to keep pace with Gretna East?
Blair is the only Class B team to come close to Gretna East this season. Plus, we have seen multiple games, including two yesterday, where the team who lost the first two games of the season won the third. Will that trend continue? I don’t think so, give me Gretna East to advance back to the championship on Monday.
My Prediction: Gretna East: 3, Blair: 2
2 p.m. – No. 3 Lincoln Pius X vs No. 7 Norris
Lincoln Pius X blanked No. 6 Omaha Mercy in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, 4-0. I said to watch out for the Thunderbolts and I stand by it. I think they are on a collision course with Gretna East for the championship. Earlier this season, Lincoln Pius X beat Norris 1-0. Can the Thunderbolts avoid the Cinderellas of Norris?
Norris is now winners of 10 straight games and are coming off a major 2-1 of No. 2 Scotus Central Catholic. The Titans will be looking to keep their Cinderella story going today against the Thunderbolts. Norris can certainly keep pace with Lincoln Pius X, but can their momentum keep them rolling?
I think this could be a really close matchup. At the end of the day, the way Lincoln Pius X has rolled through their competition as of late leads me to believe that the Thunderbolts will be heading to the state championship on Monday.
My Prediction: Lincoln Pius X: 2, Norris: 0
Boys
5:30 p.m. – No. 1 Bennington vs No. 4 Lexington
The boys semifinals are filled with four teams looking for their first state championship and all could most certainly win it. Bennington has not been able to be stopped since their loss to Gretna and they took care of No. 8 Gretna East in the quarterfinals 4-2. The Badgers will need to stay hot to get past the Minutemen as they track down a state championship. But can Bennington hold off Lexington’s attack?
Lexington made a statement on Thursday, controlling No. 5 Mount Michael 4-1 in a game that I thought would be close. The Minutemen are hotter than I might have previously credited. They will probably have to grind out a close matchup if they want to move forward. An important part of that is, can Lexington keep up with Bennington’s prolific attack?
I almost had to flip a coin with this matchup as both teams took care of business in the quarterfinals and they both have solid resumes. This one will come down to the pace of the match and who can keep up. Give me Bennington in a close one.
My Prediction: Bennington: 2, Lexington: 1
7:30 p.m. – No. 2 Hastings vs No. 3 Schuyler
Hastings is the underdog team that wants to keep their historic season alive. The Tigers did the first part of that mission with an epic comeback victory, 4-3 over No. 7 Elkhorn North. Tonight, they will face a Schuyler squad for the first time this season that had one of the best opening-round games of the tournament. Can Hastings shut Schuyler down?
Schuyler is on a mission. That mission? To win their school’s first state championship. The Warriors rolled past No. 6 Crete on Thursday night, 8-2. The biggest win margin of this entire competition. Tonight, Schuyler goes to duel with Hastings under the lights. Did Schuyler use all of their gas on Thursday, or is there still a lot left?
Schuyler was my original prediction and I am sticking with it. Especially with the way they played on Thursday. Hastings had to come back from multiple goals down to narrowly beat Elkhorn North. I think the Tigers might have used up about all the magic they have left. Give me Schuyler to advance to the championship game on Tuesday.
My Prediction: Schuyler: 4, Hastings: 1
Once again, these are just my opinions, so feel free to comment yours down below. I would love to hear your thoughts. I will be back Monday morning with my girls championship preview. Until then, enjoy some great soccer today!
Elijah Moser is a contributor for Nebraska Soccer Talk, currently studying Sports Communication and Journalism at the University of Nebraska – Kearney.