Ninth-ranked Creighton Prep is ready to get back into action after a bye week due to a positive COVID test on the team.  However, the hits just keep on coming when it comes to their schedule.  The Junior Jays are up against #5 Lincoln Southeast, who appear to be hitting their stride right about now.  This game may tell us whether rest or momentum is more important.

The Knights started off their season with a tight game against #8 Kearney, but thanks to two interceptions by the defense and a solid game by quarterback McGinness Schneider (119 total yards), they pulled out a 14-10 win.  

The next game against Lincoln Southwest was a complete blowout in which 4 different Knights scored, Schneider threw for 235 yards and rushed for a score, and the Southeast defense held the Silver Hawks to just 102 total offensive yards.  

Southeast also brought that offensive firepower into their next game, a 35-10 victory over #7 Grand Island.  The run game took priority in this game, with running back Nigel Bridger getting 174 of the team’s 275 rushing yards.  

Prep, on the other hand, could only look at last week’s games from their couches.  A positive COVID test forced the team and staff to quarantine until September 15th, and may have taken some momentum from the team, especially after a great win over the Papillion La Vista Monarchs.  

In that game, quarterback Sam Meysenburg led a few clutch drives to give the Jays the lead before Alex Bullock, who must have ice water in his veins, stepped up in the clutch for what seemed like the hundredth time.  He picked off Monarch quarterback Seth Obermeyer (Bullock’s second pick of the game) to preserve the 21-16 Prep victory.  Junior Jay fans were on top of the world. 

And then the positive test came back.

While missing two weeks of practice may seem entirely detrimental to a team, there have been some benefits. According to Prep offensive coordinator TJ Fyfe, the off weeks have led to some injured players being able to come back.  The running back room will certainly be fuller, as junior Jack Stessman will likely play Friday and senior Vinny Cacioppo will start practice again this week.  Fyfe also mentioned that the team has had a few meetings over Zoom, and that the coaches have begun retooling the offense based on what has worked so far.

This is a contest between two solid teams who have proven themselves to be clutch.  The Jays have had an off week, which might be beneficial…or a huge detriment.  Lincoln Southeast has begun tearing through their schedule, but Prep is likely the most talented team they have played so far.  I expect another nail biter.  

In the end, this game will come down to a battle of experienced quarterbacks against extremely talented defenses.  Prep will have the edge in the fatigue department thanks to their 10 days off, but Lincoln Southeast has a whole lot of momentum.  Both Meysenburg and Schneider have proven themselves in the fourth quarter, but their supporting casts will also step up.  The quarterback run game could be a wrinkle that the Prep defense has to deal with, but I think they should be able to.  If Prep can stop the run and force Southeast into 3rd and long, then Schneider will be forced into passing situations.  And we all know what Prep (specifically Bullock) can do in passing situations.

My final prediction is 27-20 Creighton Prep.