CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who made his mark as one of the NFL’s best all-purpose running backs and was later celebrated for his enduring friendship with a Chicago Bears teammate with cancer, has died. He was 77.

Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet” and considered among the best open-field runners the game has ever seen, Sayers died Wednesday, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Relatives of Sayers had said he was diagnosed with dementia. In March 2017, his wife, Ardythe, said she partly blamed his football career.

Sayers was a blur to NFL defenses, ghosting would-be tacklers or zooming by them like few running backs or kick returners before or since. Yet it was his rock-steady friendship with Brian Piccolo, depicted in the film “Brian’s Song,” that marked him as more than a sports star.

“He was the very essence of a team player — quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block,” Hall of Fame President David Baker said. “Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life.”

He became a stockbroker, sports administrator, businessman and philanthropist for several inner-city Chicago youth initiatives after his pro football career was cut short by serious injuries to both knees.

“Gale was one of the finest men in NFL history and one of the game’s most exciting players,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Gale was an electrifying and elusive runner who thrilled fans every time he touched the ball. He earned his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”

Sayers was a two-time All-American at Kansas and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as well. He was selected by Chicago with the fourth pick overall in 1965, and his versatility produced dividends and highlight-reel slaloms through opposing defenses right from the start.

He tied one NFL record with six touchdowns in a game and set another with 22 touchdowns in his first season: 14 rushing, six receiving, one punt and one kickoff return. Sayers was a unanimous choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Sayers followed that by being voted an All-Pro during the first five of his seven NFL seasons (1965-71). But he was stuck on a handful of middling-to-bad Bears teams and, like Dick Butkus, another Hall of Fame teammate selected in the same 1965 draft, he never played in the postseason. Sayers appeared in only 68 games total and just two in each of his final two seasons while attempting to return from those knee injuries.

Butkus said he hadn’t even seen Sayers play until a highlight film was shown at an event in New York that both attended honoring the 1964 All-America team. He said the real-life version of Sayers was even better.

“He was amazing. I still attribute a lot of my success from trying to tackle him (in practice),” Butkus said at the Bears’ 100th anniversary celebration in June 2019.

“I never came up against a running back like him in my whole career, as far as a halfback. And that was counting O.J. (Simpson) and a couple of other guys,” he added. “No one could touch this guy.”

The Bears drafted them with back-to-back picks in ’65, taking Butkus at No. 3 and Sayers at No. 4. It didn’t take long for Sayers to win over veterans who had helped the Bears take the NFL championship in 1963.

“We were both No. 1s, so they’re going to make it hard on us and show us the ropes and everything else,” Butkus said. “But Gale just ran circles around everybody. Quickly, they adopted him.”

The friendship between Sayers and backfield mate Piccolo began in 1967, when the two became unlikely roommates. Sayers was Black and already a star; Piccolo was white and had worked his way up from the practice squad. Early on, they were competing for playing time and carries.

But when the club dropped its policy of segregating players by race in hotel room assignments, they forged a bond. In 1968, Piccolo helped Sayers through a tough rehab process while he recovered from a torn ligament in his right knee. After Sayers returned the next season to become an All-Pro, he made sure his friend shared in the credit.

They became even closer after Piccolo pulled himself out of a game early in the 1969 season because of breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with cancer. That phase of their friendship was recounted first by Sayers in his autobiography, “I Am Third,” and then in the 1971 movie “Brian’s Song.”

With actor Billy Dee Williams playing Sayers and James Caan in Piccolo’s role, the made-for-TV movie was later released in theaters.

Sayers stayed by Piccolo’s side as the illness took its toll, donating blood and providing support. Just days before Piccolo’s death age 26, Sayers received the George S. Halas Award for courage and said: “You flatter me by giving me this award, but I can tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. ... I love Brian Piccolo and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”

After his playing days, Sayers served as athletic director at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and founded several technology and consulting businesses.

Sayers made the 130-mile trip from his home in Indiana to attend the opening ceremony of the Bears’ 100th-season celebration in June 2019, receiving a rousing ovation.

“It’s amazing someone that was so beautiful and gifted and talented as a player and later in life to have that happen to you is really, I know, tough on everybody,” Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary said that weekend.

“It’s tough on his teammates, former teammates. It’s tough on the league. And as a player,” Singletary concluded, “it just makes you take a step back and thank God every day for your own health and blessings.”

By Associated PressCHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who made his mark as one of the NFL’s best all-purpose running backs and was later celebrated for his enduring friendship with a Chicago Bears teammate with cancer, has died. He was 77.Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet” and considered among the best open-field runners the game has ever seen, Sayers died Wednesday, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Relatives of Sayers had said he was diagnosed with dementia. In March 2017, his wife, Ardythe, said she partly blamed his football career.Sayers was a blur to NFL defenses, ghosting would-be tacklers or zooming by them like few running backs or kick returners before or since. Yet it was his rock-steady friendship with Brian Piccolo, depicted in the film “Brian’s Song,” that marked him as more than a sports star.“He was the very essence of a team player — quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block,” Hall of Fame President David Baker said. “Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life.”He became a stockbroker, sports administrator, businessman and philanthropist for several inner-city Chicago youth initiatives after his pro football career was cut short by serious injuries to both knees.“Gale was one of the finest men in NFL history and one of the game’s most exciting players,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Gale was an electrifying and elusive runner who thrilled fans every time he touched the ball. He earned his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”Sayers was a two-time All-American at Kansas and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as well. He was selected by Chicago with the fourth pick overall in 1965, and his versatility produced dividends and highlight-reel slaloms through opposing defenses right from the start.He tied one NFL record with six touchdowns in a game and set another with 22 touchdowns in his first season: 14 rushing, six receiving, one punt and one kickoff return. Sayers was a unanimous choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year.Sayers followed that by being voted an All-Pro during the first five of his seven NFL seasons (1965-71). But he was stuck on a handful of middling-to-bad Bears teams and, like Dick Butkus, another Hall of Fame teammate selected in the same 1965 draft, he never played in the postseason. Sayers appeared in only 68 games total and just two in each of his final two seasons while attempting to return from those knee injuries.Butkus said he hadn’t even seen Sayers play until a highlight film was shown at an event in New York that both attended honoring the 1964 All-America team. He said the real-life version of Sayers was even better.“He was amazing. I still attribute a lot of my success from trying to tackle him (in practice),” Butkus said at the Bears’ 100th anniversary celebration in June 2019.“I never came up against a running back like him in my whole career, as far as a halfback. And that was counting O.J. (Simpson) and a couple of other guys,” he added. “No one could touch this guy.”The Bears drafted them with back-to-back picks in ’65, taking Butkus at No. 3 and Sayers at No. 4. It didn’t take long for Sayers to win over veterans who had helped the Bears take the NFL championship in 1963.“We were both No. 1s, so they’re going to make it hard on us and show us the ropes and everything else,” Butkus said. “But Gale just ran circles around everybody. Quickly, they adopted him.”The friendship between Sayers and backfield mate Piccolo began in 1967, when the two became unlikely roommates. Sayers was Black and already a star; Piccolo was white and had worked his way up from the practice squad. Early on, they were competing for playing time and carries.But when the club dropped its policy of segregating players by race in hotel room assignments, they forged a bond. In 1968, Piccolo helped Sayers through a tough rehab process while he recovered from a torn ligament in his right knee. After Sayers returned the next season to become an All-Pro, he made sure his friend shared in the credit.They became even closer after Piccolo pulled himself out of a game early in the 1969 season because of breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with cancer. That phase of their friendship was recounted first by Sayers in his autobiography, “I Am Third,” and then in the 1971 movie “Brian’s Song.”With actor Billy Dee Williams playing Sayers and James Caan in Piccolo’s role, the made-for-TV movie was later released in theaters.Sayers stayed by Piccolo’s side as the illness took its toll, donating blood and providing support. Just days before Piccolo’s death age 26, Sayers received the George S. Halas Award for courage and said: “You flatter me by giving me this award, but I can tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. ... I love Brian Piccolo and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”After his playing days, Sayers served as athletic director at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and founded several technology and consulting businesses.Sayers made the 130-mile trip from his home in Indiana to attend the opening ceremony of the Bears’ 100th-season celebration in June 2019, receiving a rousing ovation.“It’s amazing someone that was so beautiful and gifted and talented as a player and later in life to have that happen to you is really, I know, tough on everybody,” Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary said that weekend.“It’s tough on his teammates, former teammates. It’s tough on the league. And as a player,” Singletary concluded, “it just makes you take a step back and thank God every day for your own health and blessings.”

Gale Sayers, Bears Hall of Fame running back, dies at 77

By Jake Hasenauer - NPHS Cross Country Head Coach

It was a great day for the Bulldogs at the Grand Island Invite! Our word of the week has been commitment and both teams were committed to do everything for their team today! Both teams brought home the team championship today in Grand Island!

It was smiles all around today. This is a tough course, there are some very good teams, and it was a warm day. I told the kids before the race today that no matter what we were not going to use anything as an excuse today. We set out to do everything for our team and went in with the mindset that the course and conditions were the same for everyone and we had to set out to be the toughest team.

The girls put on a very good show today. I was very proud of how the girls competed against some good teams. Last year they won this meet and they were hungry to make it happen again. Zarah Blaesi led the way with a second place finish, followed by Nelia Rivas in 4th, Evelyn Blaesi 5th, Marissa Holm 9th and Baylee Evarts 14th. All the girls did great things. Marissa stepped up big today! She has been running JV all season and today she medaled in her first varsity invite. It was great for our top 5 girls to all finish in the top 15 leading the girls to beat second place Hastings by 24 points!

The boys did something that had not been done in a decade. The boys won the Grand Island Invite by two points! This was the 4th invite the boys have won this season out of five meets. The boys only loss this year came to Grand Island two weeks ago, so they were hungry to try and earn the victory today. Grand Island is a very good program and I was thrilled with the effort the boys gave today to beat them! Last year the Grand Island boys team finished in the top 5 at the state meet and they are ranked number 6 in the state this year, so beating them was very big for the program. The boys were led by a second place finish from Evan Caudy, followed by Aaron Franz in 9th, Tom Moss 10th, Jonah San Miguel 11th, and Quade Lowe 14th.

Our next meet will be at the University of Nebraska-Kearney this coming Monday.

<a href="https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=blacksquirrelresults.com/LIVE/20GrandIslandXC/">Here is a link to the results</a>

By Jake Hasenauer - NPHS Cross Country Head CoachIt was a great day for the Bulldogs at the Grand Island Invite! Our word of the week has been commitment and both teams were committed to do everything for their team today! Both teams brought home the team championship today in Grand Island!It was smiles all around today. This is a tough course, there are some very good teams, and it was a warm day. I told the kids before the race today that no matter what we were not going to use anything as an excuse today. We set out to do everything for our team and went in with the mindset that the course and conditions were the same for everyone and we had to set out to be the toughest team.The girls put on a very good show today. I was very proud of how the girls competed against some good teams. Last year they won this meet and they were hungry to make it happen again. Zarah Blaesi led the way with a second place finish, followed by Nelia Rivas in 4th, Evelyn Blaesi 5th, Marissa Holm 9th and Baylee Evarts 14th. All the girls did great things. Marissa stepped up big today! She has been running JV all season and today she medaled in her first varsity invite. It was great for our top 5 girls to all finish in the top 15 leading the girls to beat second place Hastings by 24 points!The boys did something that had not been done in a decade. The boys won the Grand Island Invite by two points! This was the 4th invite the boys have won this season out of five meets. The boys only loss this year came to Grand Island two weeks ago, so they were hungry to try and earn the victory today. Grand Island is a very good program and I was thrilled with the effort the boys gave today to beat them! Last year the Grand Island boys team finished in the top 5 at the state meet and they are ranked number 6 in the state this year, so beating them was very big for the program. The boys were led by a second place finish from Evan Caudy, followed by Aaron Franz in 9th, Tom Moss 10th, Jonah San Miguel 11th, and Quade Lowe 14th.Our next meet will be at the University of Nebraska-Kearney this coming Monday.<a href="https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=blacksquirrelresults.com/LIVE/20GrandIslandXC/">Here is a link to the results</a>

NPHS Cross Country: Grand Island Results

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska-Kearney has announced a four-game nonconference football schedule beginning Oct. 31.

A scheduling alliance with other Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association teams will account for two games. The other games are against Chadron State and South Dakota Mines.

"This gives our football student-athletes an opportunity to compete in a few contests this fall. Our students and coaches are better off engaging in activities together," UNK athletics director Marc Bauer said Monday. "Studies demonstrate that participation in sports has many significant benefits, such as improved academic achievement, high energy levels and a focused mindset. We want to provide the best possible experience and opportunities for our student-athletes to succeed and do it safely."

UNK, which began practice last week, will host Chadron State (Nov. 7) and Missouri Western State (Nov. 21) and travel to Pittsburg State (Oct. 31) and South Dakota Mines (Nov. 14). Both Chadron State and SDMT are members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

UNK and its opponents will be tested for COVID-19 once a week, per NCAA resocialization rules. UNK Athletics also has a daily COVID screening process that has taken place since June 1. Fans will be allowed to attend games in Kearney, with more information and policies to be announced later. Each school may have different attendance policies.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska-Kearney has announced a four-game nonconference football schedule beginning Oct. 31.A scheduling alliance with other Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association teams will account for two games. The other games are against Chadron State and South Dakota Mines."This gives our football student-athletes an opportunity to compete in a few contests this fall. Our students and coaches are better off engaging in activities together," UNK athletics director Marc Bauer said Monday. "Studies demonstrate that participation in sports has many significant benefits, such as improved academic achievement, high energy levels and a focused mindset. We want to provide the best possible experience and opportunities for our student-athletes to succeed and do it safely."UNK, which began practice last week, will host Chadron State (Nov. 7) and Missouri Western State (Nov. 21) and travel to Pittsburg State (Oct. 31) and South Dakota Mines (Nov. 14). Both Chadron State and SDMT are members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.UNK and its opponents will be tested for COVID-19 once a week, per NCAA resocialization rules. UNK Athletics also has a daily COVID screening process that has taken place since June 1. Fans will be allowed to attend games in Kearney, with more information and policies to be announced later. Each school may have different attendance policies.

Lopers announce 4-game football schedule starting in Oct. 31

A person with knowledge of the punishment tells The Associated Press that at least three NFL head coaches have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s rules that they wear face coverings on the sideline.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league wasn’t announcing specific fines, said Denver’s Vic Fangio, San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan and Seattle’s Pete Carroll were each docked $100,000. Their teams were fined $250,000 each.

More fines could be coming as several other coaches violated the league’s rules requiring coaches to wear coverings over their mouths and noses at all times. Players are exempt from these protocols.

Among the violators were Patriots coach Bill Belichick and both coaches in Monday night’s game, Jon Gruden of the Raiders and Sean Payton of the Saints.

Gruden wore his face mask like a chin strap and Payton wore his gaiter like a turtleneck.

The punishments come a week after the NFL warned all 32 teams in a memo about following the rules for wearing face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic lest they put the NFL season at risk.

Following the Raiders’ 34-24 win over the Saints on Monday night, Gruden, who last week said he felt the league’s memo was directed at him, revealed he’d had COVID-19 and apologized for violating the rules.

“I’m doing my best,” Gruden said. “I’ve had the virus. I’m doing my best. I’m very sensitive about it. I’m calling the plays. I apologize. If I get fined, I will have to pay the fine.”

If the fines doled out so far, which were earlier reported by ESPN and NFL Network, prove ineffective, the league could hand out stronger discipline.

AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner and Josh Dubow contributed to this report.

By ARNIE STAPLETON - Associated PressA person with knowledge of the punishment tells The Associated Press that at least three NFL head coaches have been fined $100,000 for violating the league’s rules that they wear face coverings on the sideline.The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league wasn’t announcing specific fines, said Denver’s Vic Fangio, San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan and Seattle’s Pete Carroll were each docked $100,000. Their teams were fined $250,000 each.More fines could be coming as several other coaches violated the league’s rules requiring coaches to wear coverings over their mouths and noses at all times. Players are exempt from these protocols.Among the violators were Patriots coach Bill Belichick and both coaches in Monday night’s game, Jon Gruden of the Raiders and Sean Payton of the Saints.Gruden wore his face mask like a chin strap and Payton wore his gaiter like a turtleneck.The punishments come a week after the NFL warned all 32 teams in a memo about following the rules for wearing face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic lest they put the NFL season at risk.Following the Raiders’ 34-24 win over the Saints on Monday night, Gruden, who last week said he felt the league’s memo was directed at him, revealed he’d had COVID-19 and apologized for violating the rules.“I’m doing my best,” Gruden said. “I’ve had the virus. I’m doing my best. I’m very sensitive about it. I’m calling the plays. I apologize. If I get fined, I will have to pay the fine.”If the fines doled out so far, which were earlier reported by ESPN and NFL Network, prove ineffective, the league could hand out stronger discipline.___AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner and Josh Dubow contributed to this report.

AP source: NFL fines 3 coaches, clubs for unmasked coaches

By Heather Johnson - Area Public Information Specialist, MPCC

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is off to a great start after hosting the first competition of the season at the Wild West Arena in North Platte over the weekend. The MPCC Stampede consisted of two rodeos spread out over three days, Thursday through Saturday.

The MPCC men’s team won the championship in the first rodeo and placed second in the second rodeo – giving them an early lead in the Great Plains regional standings. Individual results are as follows:

Breakaway roping: fifth - Danielle Wray, Ord; eighth - Caitlyn Comfort - Elwood

Steer wrestling: first - Landon Sivertsen, Ree Heights, S.D.; second - Sterling Lee, Rhame, N.D.; third - Zane Patrick, Bartlett

Tie-down roping: fifth - Sterling Lee, Rhame, N.D.

Team roping: split for sixth and seventh - Sterling Lee, Rhame, N.D. and Jacob Haren – Erie, Colo.; eighth - Mykelsi Schnose, Oelrichs, S.D. and Marshall Still, Oconto

Bull riding: second - Koby Jacobson, Hershey

Steer wrestling: first - Wynn Schaack, Wall, S.D.; second - Marshall Still, Oconto; fifth – Quade Potter, Stockville

Team roping: fifth - Wynn Schaack, Wall, S.D.

Tie-down roping: fourth - Nick Rettinger, Amidon, N.D.

“The men’s team was definitely led by the steer wrestlers,” said Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team coach. “They took first, second and third in the first rodeo and a barrier kept us from doing the same thing in the second rodeo. What’s phenomenal in my mind is that we basically had six different team members dominate the first two rodeos. They’ve been putting in a lot of hard work on some tough steers, and I was happy to see that pay off for them.”

He noted that several of the returning athletes had improved significantly from last year.

“Sivertsen is another one who has really been working hard, so to see him jump out and win the first rodeo was awesome,” Nokes said. “Wynn, in the second rodeo, started out having the rodeo you dream of. He won first in the steer wrestling, first in the team roping and fifth in the tie-down roping then came back in the short go to win first in the steer wrestling again. He stumbled a bit in the final round with an illegal catch in the team roping and a broken barrier in the tie-down roping.”

Nokes was hoping for a little more out of all of his athletes.

“Overall, we faltered as a team,” Nokes said. “There were some early season jitters that got to us. I feel like we did the worst we will do all season, and we still placed first and second in the men’s team standings. We are so deep in talent that I believe we can make a few minor adjustments and the other colleges will be looking at our taillights the rest of the year.”

He’s confident the women’s team will be a force to be reckoned with as well.

“Our women’s team didn’t score a lot of points at the Stampede, but they showed why they are there and showed a lot of skill,” Nokes said. “I have high hopes for a couple of the freshmen. We will dang sure get some girls to nationals in the breakaway and team roping – it just didn’t fall our way last weekend. I’m looking forward to this weekend. They will have a chance to redeem themselves, and I look for them to do that.”

The team will compete Thursday through Saturday in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

By Heather Johnson - Area Public Information Specialist, MPCCThe Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is off to a great start after hosting the first competition of the season at the Wild West Arena in North Platte over the weekend. The MPCC Stampede consisted of two rodeos spread out over three days, Thursday through Saturday.The MPCC men’s team won the championship in the first rodeo and placed second in the second rodeo – giving them an early lead in the Great Plains regional standings. Individual results are as follows:Bull riding: Koby Jacobson, HersheyBreakaway roping: fifth - Danielle Wray, Ord; eighth - Caitlyn Comfort - ElwoodSteer wrestling: first - Landon Sivertsen, Ree Heights, S.D.; second - Sterling Lee, Rhame, N.D.; third - Zane Patrick, BartlettTie-down roping: fifth - Sterling Lee, Rhame, N.D.Team roping: split for sixth and seventh - Sterling Lee, Rhame, N.D. and Jacob Haren – Erie, Colo.; eighth - Mykelsi Schnose, Oelrichs, S.D. and Marshall Still, OcontoBull riding: second - Koby Jacobson, HersheySteer wrestling: first - Wynn Schaack, Wall, S.D.; second - Marshall Still, Oconto; fifth – Quade Potter, StockvilleTeam roping: fifth - Wynn Schaack, Wall, S.D.Tie-down roping: fourth - Nick Rettinger, Amidon, N.D.“The men’s team was definitely led by the steer wrestlers,” said Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team coach. “They took first, second and third in the first rodeo and a barrier kept us from doing the same thing in the second rodeo. What’s phenomenal in my mind is that we basically had six different team members dominate the first two rodeos. They’ve been putting in a lot of hard work on some tough steers, and I was happy to see that pay off for them.”He noted that several of the returning athletes had improved significantly from last year.“Sivertsen is another one who has really been working hard, so to see him jump out and win the first rodeo was awesome,” Nokes said. “Wynn, in the second rodeo, started out having the rodeo you dream of. He won first in the steer wrestling, first in the team roping and fifth in the tie-down roping then came back in the short go to win first in the steer wrestling again. He stumbled a bit in the final round with an illegal catch in the team roping and a broken barrier in the tie-down roping.”Nokes was hoping for a little more out of all of his athletes.“Overall, we faltered as a team,” Nokes said. “There were some early season jitters that got to us. I feel like we did the worst we will do all season, and we still placed first and second in the men’s team standings. We are so deep in talent that I believe we can make a few minor adjustments and the other colleges will be looking at our taillights the rest of the year.”He’s confident the women’s team will be a force to be reckoned with as well.“Our women’s team didn’t score a lot of points at the Stampede, but they showed why they are there and showed a lot of skill,” Nokes said. “I have high hopes for a couple of the freshmen. We will dang sure get some girls to nationals in the breakaway and team roping – it just didn’t fall our way last weekend. I’m looking forward to this weekend. They will have a chance to redeem themselves, and I look for them to do that.”The team will compete Thursday through Saturday in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

MPCC Rodeo Team takes the lead in regional standings

&nbsp; By RALPH D. RUSSO - Associated Press

A week before Big Ten teams become eligible again for The Associated Press college football poll, No. 25 Marshall is ranked for the first time since 2014 and Miami jumped to No. 12 after a conference road victory.

Clemson remained a nearly unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 on Sunday after another light week in college football. The Tigers received 59 of 61 first-place votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. The rest of the top 10 was basically unchanged. No. 2 Alabama received one first-place vote. Oklahoma was No. 3, followed by Georgia, Florida and LSU at No. 6. The defending champion Tigers also received a first-place vote.

Notre Dame is seventh. Auburn and Texas are now tied for eighth and Texas A&amp;M is No. 10.

A season disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic cranks up next week. The Southeastern Conference, which has eight teams ranked, kicks off. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 have full slates of games. At least for now.

The Big Ten set a fall schedule Saturday, but it won’t kick off until the weekend of Oct. 24. Voters will still be allowed to include Big Ten teams on their ballots starting next week. There were seven Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, including Ohio State at No. 2.

Depending on how voters approach it, that could crowd out some teams currently ranked.

The decreased field because of four Bowl Subdivision conferences initially deciding to delay play until the winter has been a boon in the early rankings for teams from the ACC and Group of Five conferences — like Marshall from Conference USA.

The Thundering Herd beat Appalachian State on Saturday to improve to 2-0 and grab a spot in the Top 25. App State was the only team to drop out of the Top 25, after being No. 23.

Marshall was last ranked in the final poll of the 2014 season. The Herd went 13-1 that season, reaching as high as No. 18 in the rankings, and won the Conference USA championship behind quarterback Rakeem Cato and running back Devon Johnson.

Miami moved up five spots after beating ACC rival Louisville on the road. The Cardinals hung on to a ranking, slipping six spots to No. 24.

No. 21 Pitt also jumped four spots with a convincing ACC victory against Syracuse.

No. 15 Oklahoma State dropped four spots after a sluggish performance in a victory against Tulsa. The Cowboys played much of the game without injured quarterback Spencer Sanders.

SEC — 8 (Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 16, 23).

ACC — 7 (Nos. 1, 7, 11, 12, 20, 21, 24).

No. 23 Kentucky at No. 8 Auburn. The opening week of SEC football doesn’t have a lot of really juicy matchups, but this cross-division game could be a tone-setter.

No. 24 Louisville at No. 21 Pitt. The Panthers can establish themselves as a team worthy of sticking around the Top 25 even when the other conferences become eligible.

No. 22 Army at No. 14 Cincinnati. The Black Knights have ripped through two opponents, but the Bearcats will provide a far more significant challenge.

&nbsp; By RALPH D. RUSSO - Associated PressA week before Big Ten teams become eligible again for The Associated Press college football poll, No. 25 Marshall is ranked for the first time since 2014 and Miami jumped to No. 12 after a conference road victory.Clemson remained a nearly unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 on Sunday after another light week in college football. The Tigers received 59 of 61 first-place votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. The rest of the top 10 was basically unchanged. No. 2 Alabama received one first-place vote. Oklahoma was No. 3, followed by Georgia, Florida and LSU at No. 6. The defending champion Tigers also received a first-place vote.Notre Dame is seventh. Auburn and Texas are now tied for eighth and Texas A&amp;M is No. 10.A season disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic cranks up next week. The Southeastern Conference, which has eight teams ranked, kicks off. The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 have full slates of games. At least for now.The Big Ten set a fall schedule Saturday, but it won’t kick off until the weekend of Oct. 24. Voters will still be allowed to include Big Ten teams on their ballots starting next week. There were seven Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason Top 25, including Ohio State at No. 2.Depending on how voters approach it, that could crowd out some teams currently ranked.The decreased field because of four Bowl Subdivision conferences initially deciding to delay play until the winter has been a boon in the early rankings for teams from the ACC and Group of Five conferences — like Marshall from Conference USA.The Thundering Herd beat Appalachian State on Saturday to improve to 2-0 and grab a spot in the Top 25. App State was the only team to drop out of the Top 25, after being No. 23.Marshall was last ranked in the final poll of the 2014 season. The Herd went 13-1 that season, reaching as high as No. 18 in the rankings, and won the Conference USA championship behind quarterback Rakeem Cato and running back Devon Johnson.POLL POINTSMiami moved up five spots after beating ACC rival Louisville on the road. The Cardinals hung on to a ranking, slipping six spots to No. 24.No. 21 Pitt also jumped four spots with a convincing ACC victory against Syracuse.No. 15 Oklahoma State dropped four spots after a sluggish performance in a victory against Tulsa. The Cowboys played much of the game without injured quarterback Spencer Sanders.CONFERENCE CALLSEC — 8 (Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 16, 23).ACC — 7 (Nos. 1, 7, 11, 12, 20, 21, 24).Big 12 — 3 (Nos. 3, 8, 15).American — 3 (Nos. 13, 14, 17).Conference USA — 1 (No. 25).Sun Belt — 1 (No. 19).Independents — 2 (Nos. 18, 22).RANKED vs. RANKEDNo. 23 Kentucky at No. 8 Auburn. The opening week of SEC football doesn’t have a lot of really juicy matchups, but this cross-division game could be a tone-setter.No. 24 Louisville at No. 21 Pitt. The Panthers can establish themselves as a team worthy of sticking around the Top 25 even when the other conferences become eligible.No. 22 Army at No. 14 Cincinnati. The Black Knights have ripped through two opponents, but the Bearcats will provide a far more significant challenge.

AP Top 25: No. 12 Miami rises; Marshall jumps into rankings

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NPHS Activities: New spectator guidelines 9.21.2020

By RALPH D. RUSSO-AP College Football Writer

For the second straight weekend, the Big Ten made news without playing.

Last week, the conference was in the process of putting together a restart plan for football.

On Saturday, the Big Ten&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d0f96071da2f720b5147f0b9ba8d5ee9" target="_blank">released its schedule 3.0</a>, doing it a little bit at a time on Fox's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. The Big Ten also took up much of the conversation on ESPN's "College GameDay," which had interviews with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren.

Nice flex and a heady play as the Big Ten is about to drop off the radar until its season starts the weekend of Oct. 24.

The Southeastern Conference kicks off next week and the ACC and Big 12 get cranked up, too.

Most notable on the Big Ten's schedule was how Nebraska will start the season: at Ohio State and home for Wisconsin. Oof!

No Big Ten school made as much of a public fuss over the conference's initial decision to postpone the season as Nebraska. The brutal opening schedule against the conference's two division winners from last season might have been a coincidence, but it did not go unnoticed.

The Huskers also play Penn State in the fourth game of the season, giving Nebraska easily the toughest cross-division games of any team in the West Division.

Nebraska had both Ohio State and Penn State on its original nine-game, pre-pandemic conference schedule, along with Rutgers. The Big Ten used those schedules to set these schedules, dropping one of the three crossover games for each team.

Athletic director Bill Moos&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/bill-moos-lost-every-argument-on-the-big-ten-scheduling-front-nebraskas-a-d-isnt/article_c4415dcb-3a7d-5991-9523-3b6ea61caabc.html" target="_blank">told the Omaha-World Herald</a>&nbsp;that he pushed to rework schedules more thoroughly to provide competitive balance. He also suggested having only division games count toward the division race.

"For obvious reasons, I was hoping we could dissemble the schedule because of unique circumstances and rebuild it to be fair for each school in the conference," Moos told the newspaper Saturday. "I was outspoken on that, to the point where they heard it from me every day. The rationale was there, I didn't think we needed to follow it. Nebraska is playing five AP preseason Top 25 teams. Ohio State's playing two."

Nebraska has lost five straight against Ohio State, which has became a yearly rivalry since the Big Ten went to an East-West division structure. The Big Ten was hoping to create an annual showdown between two tradition-rich programs, but Nebraska has not held up its end of the deal. Average score: Buckeyes 53, Cornhuskers 19.

Ohio State definitely caught a break with the new schedule. The crossover game that came off its slate was Iowa, leaving the Buckeyes with Nebraska and Illinois.

Meanwhile, Buckeyes' rival Michigan lost Purdue but kept Wisconsin and Minnesota as its West games.

It might not have been the plan to cut Ohio State, the league's clear favorite and defending champ, some slack. But it's not a terrible idea.

When the SEC redid its schedule to make it 10 conference games, the league ended up feeding its weaker teams to its powerhouses. Missouri got added to LSU and Alabama's schedules. Arkansas added games against Florida and Georgia.

Regardless of whether it was intentional, conferences do not gain anything come College Football Playoff selection time by making life tougher on their best teams.

The Pac-12 has learned that the hard way over the playoff era.

UCF has another Heisman Trophy contender quarterback from Hawaii.

Dillon Gabriel, who ended up winning the job during last season as a freshman, appears even better this year. Gabriel went to the same high school as teammate McKenzie Milton, who finished in the Heisman top 10 in 2017 and '18.

Few quarterbacks are as fearless throwing deep as Gabriel.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ea77fb9181cbac049b4000f1f8b0d85b" target="_blank">Against Georgia Tech,&nbsp;</a>he passed for 417 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 10 yards an attempt and 15 yards a completion. It was a convincing victory against a Power Five team, if only a rebuilding P5 squad.

Milton is still hoping to play again after a gruesome leg injury two seasons ago. Just getting on the field would be a miraculous comeback. But make no mistake, Gabriel is the man at UCF and the Knights have a team that could again make a case for something more than just an American Athletic Conference championship trophy.

"You saw what happened last week," Gabriel said, referring to Georgia Tech's victory at Florida State. "I guess you can say we're the best team in Florida."

AROUND THE COUNTRY: Last note on the Big Ten. Now that the conference has a schedule in place, its teams will become eligible for inclusion in the AP Top 25 starting with the poll released on Sunday, Sept. 27. Voters don't have to include Big Ten teams before they play, but they can. ... The Pac-12 is likely to jump back into fall football season later this week. The conference's university presidents meet Thursday. When to start is the hang up. Some Pac-12 teams are way behind in preparation, but not all. A Halloween start gives room to get seven games in before a Dec. 19 championship that puts the Pac-12 in play for College Football Playoff and New Year's Six bowl selection. But is a six-week ramp up enough when the Northern California schools are still working to get local COVID-19 restrictions lifted? ... Navy, which started the season being outscored 79-3, scored the last 27 points of the game to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf101b096d66a6a9ceb48f02ecd6c288" target="_blank">beat Tulane</a>&nbsp;on a last-second field goal. The Trident Trophy Game (Green Wave vs. Midshipmen) has produced some wild results in recent years. The AAC rivals have split the last four games by a combined total of nine points. ... Top-notch debut by Boston College's new coach (Jeff Hafley) and new quarterback (Phil Jurkovec). The Eagles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e433bac878b5fa054b4825f2e4d32211" target="_blank">rolled over Duke</a>. ... Louisiana-Lafayette's encore after upsetting Iowa State was dramatic. The Ragin' Cajuns came from two touchdowns down and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cbcf60141685137c51c0de5663bb245e" target="_blank">beat Georgia State in overtime</a>. ... After going 0-3 against the Sun Belt last week, No. 11 Oklahoma State had the Big 12 sweating again. The Cowboys managed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/44f3dcca6e8a8809da5d325b9690364d" target="_blank">hold off Tulsa</a>&nbsp;in a mess of a game. The Golden Hurricane committed 15 penalties and did not convert a third down, yet hung around as Oklahoma State played most of the game without quarterback Spencer Sanders (ankle).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563213481558.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RALPH D. RUSSO-AP College Football WriterFor the second straight weekend, the Big Ten made news without playing.Last week, the conference was in the process of putting together a restart plan for football.On Saturday, the Big Ten&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d0f96071da2f720b5147f0b9ba8d5ee9" target="_blank">released its schedule 3.0</a>, doing it a little bit at a time on Fox's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show. The Big Ten also took up much of the conversation on ESPN's "College GameDay," which had interviews with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren.Nice flex and a heady play as the Big Ten is about to drop off the radar until its season starts the weekend of Oct. 24.The Southeastern Conference kicks off next week and the ACC and Big 12 get cranked up, too.Most notable on the Big Ten's schedule was how Nebraska will start the season: at Ohio State and home for Wisconsin. Oof!No Big Ten school made as much of a public fuss over the conference's initial decision to postpone the season as Nebraska. The brutal opening schedule against the conference's two division winners from last season might have been a coincidence, but it did not go unnoticed.The Huskers also play Penn State in the fourth game of the season, giving Nebraska easily the toughest cross-division games of any team in the West Division.Nebraska had both Ohio State and Penn State on its original nine-game, pre-pandemic conference schedule, along with Rutgers. The Big Ten used those schedules to set these schedules, dropping one of the three crossover games for each team.Athletic director Bill Moos&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/football/bill-moos-lost-every-argument-on-the-big-ten-scheduling-front-nebraskas-a-d-isnt/article_c4415dcb-3a7d-5991-9523-3b6ea61caabc.html" target="_blank">told the Omaha-World Herald</a>&nbsp;that he pushed to rework schedules more thoroughly to provide competitive balance. He also suggested having only division games count toward the division race.He said he lost every argument."For obvious reasons, I was hoping we could dissemble the schedule because of unique circumstances and rebuild it to be fair for each school in the conference," Moos told the newspaper Saturday. "I was outspoken on that, to the point where they heard it from me every day. The rationale was there, I didn't think we needed to follow it. Nebraska is playing five AP preseason Top 25 teams. Ohio State's playing two."Nebraska has lost five straight against Ohio State, which has became a yearly rivalry since the Big Ten went to an East-West division structure. The Big Ten was hoping to create an annual showdown between two tradition-rich programs, but Nebraska has not held up its end of the deal. Average score: Buckeyes 53, Cornhuskers 19.Ohio State definitely caught a break with the new schedule. The crossover game that came off its slate was Iowa, leaving the Buckeyes with Nebraska and Illinois.Meanwhile, Buckeyes' rival Michigan lost Purdue but kept Wisconsin and Minnesota as its West games.It might not have been the plan to cut Ohio State, the league's clear favorite and defending champ, some slack. But it's not a terrible idea.When the SEC redid its schedule to make it 10 conference games, the league ended up feeding its weaker teams to its powerhouses. Missouri got added to LSU and Alabama's schedules. Arkansas added games against Florida and Georgia.Regardless of whether it was intentional, conferences do not gain anything come College Football Playoff selection time by making life tougher on their best teams.The Pac-12 has learned that the hard way over the playoff era.ALOHAUCF has another Heisman Trophy contender quarterback from Hawaii.Dillon Gabriel, who ended up winning the job during last season as a freshman, appears even better this year. Gabriel went to the same high school as teammate McKenzie Milton, who finished in the Heisman top 10 in 2017 and '18.Few quarterbacks are as fearless throwing deep as Gabriel.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ea77fb9181cbac049b4000f1f8b0d85b" target="_blank">Against Georgia Tech,&nbsp;</a>he passed for 417 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 10 yards an attempt and 15 yards a completion. It was a convincing victory against a Power Five team, if only a rebuilding P5 squad.Milton is still hoping to play again after a gruesome leg injury two seasons ago. Just getting on the field would be a miraculous comeback. But make no mistake, Gabriel is the man at UCF and the Knights have a team that could again make a case for something more than just an American Athletic Conference championship trophy."You saw what happened last week," Gabriel said, referring to Georgia Tech's victory at Florida State. "I guess you can say we're the best team in Florida."__AROUND THE COUNTRY: Last note on the Big Ten. Now that the conference has a schedule in place, its teams will become eligible for inclusion in the AP Top 25 starting with the poll released on Sunday, Sept. 27. Voters don't have to include Big Ten teams before they play, but they can. ... The Pac-12 is likely to jump back into fall football season later this week. The conference's university presidents meet Thursday. When to start is the hang up. Some Pac-12 teams are way behind in preparation, but not all. A Halloween start gives room to get seven games in before a Dec. 19 championship that puts the Pac-12 in play for College Football Playoff and New Year's Six bowl selection. But is a six-week ramp up enough when the Northern California schools are still working to get local COVID-19 restrictions lifted? ... Navy, which started the season being outscored 79-3, scored the last 27 points of the game to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf101b096d66a6a9ceb48f02ecd6c288" target="_blank">beat Tulane</a>&nbsp;on a last-second field goal. The Trident Trophy Game (Green Wave vs. Midshipmen) has produced some wild results in recent years. The AAC rivals have split the last four games by a combined total of nine points. ... Top-notch debut by Boston College's new coach (Jeff Hafley) and new quarterback (Phil Jurkovec). The Eagles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e433bac878b5fa054b4825f2e4d32211" target="_blank">rolled over Duke</a>. ... Louisiana-Lafayette's encore after upsetting Iowa State was dramatic. The Ragin' Cajuns came from two touchdowns down and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cbcf60141685137c51c0de5663bb245e" target="_blank">beat Georgia State in overtime</a>. ... After going 0-3 against the Sun Belt last week, No. 11 Oklahoma State had the Big 12 sweating again. The Cowboys managed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/44f3dcca6e8a8809da5d325b9690364d" target="_blank">hold off Tulsa</a>&nbsp;in a mess of a game. The Golden Hurricane committed 15 penalties and did not convert a third down, yet hung around as Oklahoma State played most of the game without quarterback Spencer Sanders (ankle).

AP Top 25 Takeaways: Huskers get tough draw; UCF rising star

9.19.2020 NPHS Softball Hosts home tournament

NPHS Activities: New spectator guidelines

The NSAA Board of Directors met yesterday at the NSAA Office in Lincoln for their regularly scheduled September meeting.&nbsp; A few items of note from the meeting:

The NSAA Board of Directors met yesterday at the NSAA Office in Lincoln for their regularly scheduled September meeting.&nbsp; A few items of note from the meeting:<ol>
 <li>The updated 2020 NSAA State Cross Country Championships schedule was discussed and approved.&nbsp;<a href="https://nsaa-static.s3.amazonaws.com/textfile/cc/ccsched.pdf" target="_blank">The full schedule is available here</a>.</li><li>A postseason will be conducted during the inaugural 2020-21 season of NSAA Boys and Girls Bowling. Location and date of the state championship are TBD.</li><li>The format of Class A district softball was modified to six, 4-team districts, with the winners of each district and two wildcards qualifying for the NSAA Softball Championships.</li><li>The board carried a motion to qualify all 24 Class A schools for the 2020 NSAA Football Playoffs. This will eliminate week 9 of the regular season in Class A. The 24 Class A teams will be seeded by a committee, selected by the NSAA, at the conclusion of week 8 of the regular season. The top 8 seeds will receive a 1st&nbsp;round bye. The playoff bracket will not be re-seeded after the 1st&nbsp;round. The dates for each round of the NSAA Class A Football Playoffs are as follows:</li><li>1st&nbsp;Round – Friday, October 23 (#9 vs. #24, #10 vs. #23, etc.)</li><li>2nd&nbsp;Round – Friday, October 30 (#1 vs. winner of #16 vs. #17, #2 vs. winner of #15 vs #18, etc.)</li><li>Quarterfinals – Friday, November 6th</li><li>Semifinals – Friday, November 13th</li><li>Final – Monday, November 23rd&nbsp;@ 7:15 PM CT</li>
 </ol>

NSAA Sept meeting notes: Changes to football playoffs and more

9.18.2020 NPHS Football @ Lincoln NorthStar

The Irish XC Boys and Girls competed in the Ravenna Invitational for the first time Thursday. The boys were runner up to Broken Bow and the Girls won the event by a few points over Ravenna. 

Standout performances by freshman Jarrett Miles and sophomore Dax Connick who finished second seventh. Jarrett and the first place finisher both crushed the previous course record. 

The girls were led by Junior Kate Stienike and Genna Blakely. Medalist in the hilly 5k event were:

&nbsp;Boys-jarrett Miles 2, Dax Connick 6, and Andrew Brosuis 19

&nbsp;Girls-Kate Stienike 2, Genna Blakely 4, Hayley Miles 13, and Madi Gifford 20.&nbsp;

The Irish XC Boys and Girls competed in the Ravenna Invitational for the first time Thursday. The boys were runner up to Broken Bow and the Girls won the event by a few points over Ravenna. Standout performances by freshman Jarrett Miles and sophomore Dax Connick who finished second seventh. Jarrett and the first place finisher both crushed the previous course record. The girls were led by Junior Kate Stienike and Genna Blakely. Medalist in the hilly 5k event were:&nbsp;Boys-jarrett Miles 2, Dax Connick 6, and Andrew Brosuis 19&nbsp;Girls-Kate Stienike 2, Genna Blakely 4, Hayley Miles 13, and Madi Gifford 20.&nbsp;The Irish run next Thursday in Ogallala.

St Pats XC: Ravenna results

By Jake Hasenauer - NPHS Cross Country Coach

I was very proud of how each of our kids competed on a tough course today!&nbsp;Fifteen teams had runners in attendance today, and both North Platte teams brought home the championship.&nbsp; McCook is one of the hardest courses we run on.&nbsp; Our word of the week was "determination".&nbsp; I told the kids all week to tell themselves, "I love this hill", each time they went up one.&nbsp; Running is very hard physically, but also super tough mentally as well.&nbsp; I was proud of how our athletes rose to the challenge&nbsp;of a mentally tough course and were each able to defend their team titles from a year ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Evan Caudy led the boys to a victory with a 17:00 5K.&nbsp; Second place was nearly one minute behind him.&nbsp; Evan's goal was to break the 17 minute mark today on our most challenging course, very few people have ever broken 17 on this course, so getting right to that mark was impressive.&nbsp; All of the varsity&nbsp;boys medaled today to help lead the team to victory with Evan's first place finish, followed by: Jonah San Miguel (5th), Rian Teets (7th), Tom Moss (8th), Aaron Franz (10th), and Quade Lowe (12th).&nbsp;&nbsp;

The girls had a great battle with McCook beating them out by 9 points for the victory!&nbsp; There was lots to be proud of on the girls side.&nbsp; The girls battled tough and were very determined to race well for their team.&nbsp; Zarah Blaesi led the way for the girls with a 2nd place finish, followed by: Evelyn Blaesi (7th), Nelia Rivas (8th), and Lexi Hoatson (14th).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both JV teams won also, with Marissa Holm leading the way for the girls with a 1st place finish, followed by Boston Pettera (2nd), Shelby Steele (5th), Ashlynn Ditch (6th), and Audrey Eisenrich (8th).&nbsp; The boys were led by Gabe Jenny (1st) followed by Ben Steele (2nd), Trenton Golter (3rd), Ainsley Schroeder (4th), Rayce Moerke (5th), Oban Sandoval (8th), and Hunter Hothan (10th).&nbsp; This was the 3rd meet this season the JV Boys have earned the front five medals and they have won each JV meet this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Results:<a href="https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/174252/results" target="_blank">https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/174252/results</a>

By Jake Hasenauer - NPHS Cross Country CoachI was very proud of how each of our kids competed on a tough course today!&nbsp;Fifteen teams had runners in attendance today, and both North Platte teams brought home the championship.&nbsp; McCook is one of the hardest courses we run on.&nbsp; Our word of the week was "determination".&nbsp; I told the kids all week to tell themselves, "I love this hill", each time they went up one.&nbsp; Running is very hard physically, but also super tough mentally as well.&nbsp; I was proud of how our athletes rose to the challenge&nbsp;of a mentally tough course and were each able to defend their team titles from a year ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;Evan Caudy led the boys to a victory with a 17:00 5K.&nbsp; Second place was nearly one minute behind him.&nbsp; Evan's goal was to break the 17 minute mark today on our most challenging course, very few people have ever broken 17 on this course, so getting right to that mark was impressive.&nbsp; All of the varsity&nbsp;boys medaled today to help lead the team to victory with Evan's first place finish, followed by: Jonah San Miguel (5th), Rian Teets (7th), Tom Moss (8th), Aaron Franz (10th), and Quade Lowe (12th).&nbsp;&nbsp;The girls had a great battle with McCook beating them out by 9 points for the victory!&nbsp; There was lots to be proud of on the girls side.&nbsp; The girls battled tough and were very determined to race well for their team.&nbsp; Zarah Blaesi led the way for the girls with a 2nd place finish, followed by: Evelyn Blaesi (7th), Nelia Rivas (8th), and Lexi Hoatson (14th).&nbsp;&nbsp;Both JV teams won also, with Marissa Holm leading the way for the girls with a 1st place finish, followed by Boston Pettera (2nd), Shelby Steele (5th), Ashlynn Ditch (6th), and Audrey Eisenrich (8th).&nbsp; The boys were led by Gabe Jenny (1st) followed by Ben Steele (2nd), Trenton Golter (3rd), Ainsley Schroeder (4th), Rayce Moerke (5th), Oban Sandoval (8th), and Hunter Hothan (10th).&nbsp; This was the 3rd meet this season the JV Boys have earned the front five medals and they have won each JV meet this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Results:<a href="https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/174252/results" target="_blank">https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/174252/results</a>

NPHS Cross Country: McCook Invite Recap and Results

On Thursday afternoon the NSAA finished up its board of directors meeting with news that will impact all Class A football teams this year.&nbsp; Everyone is going to the playoffs.&nbsp; Because of the Nine Omaha Public Schools teams that are voluntarily sitting out of football this fall, along with games that have been cancelled already due to coronavirus reasons, the NSAA felt it was necessary to put everyone into the playoffs to ensure all 24 remaining teams have a full nine-game season.&nbsp;

The playoffs will start in week 9 (effectively cancelling the final game of the season against Columbus for NPHS) and will be seeded by a committee that will be formed soon.&nbsp;

The committee will consider all games, including those the NSAA counts as replacement games (which don't count toward wild card points) in their discussions of seeding.&nbsp;

More information will come out as we get closer to week 9 and the NSAA finalizes the rest of the details.&nbsp;

On Thursday afternoon the NSAA finished up its board of directors meeting with news that will impact all Class A football teams this year.&nbsp; Everyone is going to the playoffs.&nbsp; Because of the Nine Omaha Public Schools teams that are voluntarily sitting out of football this fall, along with games that have been cancelled already due to coronavirus reasons, the NSAA felt it was necessary to put everyone into the playoffs to ensure all 24 remaining teams have a full nine-game season.&nbsp;The playoffs will start in week 9 (effectively cancelling the final game of the season against Columbus for NPHS) and will be seeded by a committee that will be formed soon.&nbsp;The committee will consider all games, including those the NSAA counts as replacement games (which don't count toward wild card points) in their discussions of seeding.&nbsp;More information will come out as we get closer to week 9 and the NSAA finalizes the rest of the details.&nbsp;

NSAA: Everyone going to the playoffs

The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball season will begin Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving.

The Division I Council voted Wednesday to push the start date back from the originally scheduled Nov. 10 as one of several precautions against the spread of coronavirus.

The later start date coincides with the decision most schools made to send students home from Thanksgiving until January out of concern about a potential late-fall and early-winter flareup of COVID-19. Closed campuses could serve as a quasi bubble for players and provide a window for nonconference games.

“The fact our campuses will be clearing out, it will be possible to just further control the exposures, and the 25th gives us that opportunity,” said Division I Council chair Grace Calhoun, the athletic director at Penn.

The men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees had jointly recommended a start date of Nov. 21, a Saturday. Calhoun said the council wanted to avoid a weekend start date because of potential overlaps of basketball and football games on campuses.

The maximum number of regular-season games has been reduced from 31 to 27.

“The rationale was that during the season teams tend to play an average of two games a week, so the fact we’re shortening the season by two weeks necessitated the reduction in games so we’re not being counterproductive and trying to jam more in a shortened season,” Calhoun said.

The minimum number of games for consideration for the NCAA Tournament was cut from 25 to 13. Calhoun said the low minimum is an acknowledgement that schools probably will experience different levels of COVID-19 cases and have to alter schedules.

“We fully anticipate there are going to be some issues as we go through the season, much like we’ve seen in football, so we want there to be flexibility for institutions to put together seasons,” she said.

Teams can start preseason practices Oct. 14. Beginning Monday, teams will be allowed to participate in strength and conditioning and sport-related meetings and skill instruction for up to 12 hours a week, with an eight-hour limit on skill instruction.

No scrimmages against other teams or exhibitions are allowed. It also was recommended each team play a minimum of four nonconference games.

The council is scheduled to meet again Oct. 13-14 and could delay the start date and change other pieces of the basketball framework if circumstances surrounding the virus warrant.

The council also voted to extend the recruiting dead period for all sports until Jan. 1. In-person recruiting is prohibited during a dead period, though phone calls and other correspondence are allowed.

Also approved was civic engagement legislation. Practicing, competing and other countable athletically related activities will be prohibited on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November each year, including this year’s Election Day on Nov. 3.

The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee proposed the legislation to provide a day each year dedicated to increasing opportunities for athletes to participate in activities such as voting or community service.

By ERIC OLSON - Associated PressThe NCAA men’s and women’s basketball season will begin Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving.The Division I Council voted Wednesday to push the start date back from the originally scheduled Nov. 10 as one of several precautions against the spread of coronavirus.The later start date coincides with the decision most schools made to send students home from Thanksgiving until January out of concern about a potential late-fall and early-winter flareup of COVID-19. Closed campuses could serve as a quasi bubble for players and provide a window for nonconference games.“The fact our campuses will be clearing out, it will be possible to just further control the exposures, and the 25th gives us that opportunity,” said Division I Council chair Grace Calhoun, the athletic director at Penn.The men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees had jointly recommended a start date of Nov. 21, a Saturday. Calhoun said the council wanted to avoid a weekend start date because of potential overlaps of basketball and football games on campuses.The maximum number of regular-season games has been reduced from 31 to 27.“The rationale was that during the season teams tend to play an average of two games a week, so the fact we’re shortening the season by two weeks necessitated the reduction in games so we’re not being counterproductive and trying to jam more in a shortened season,” Calhoun said.The minimum number of games for consideration for the NCAA Tournament was cut from 25 to 13. Calhoun said the low minimum is an acknowledgement that schools probably will experience different levels of COVID-19 cases and have to alter schedules.“We fully anticipate there are going to be some issues as we go through the season, much like we’ve seen in football, so we want there to be flexibility for institutions to put together seasons,” she said.Teams can start preseason practices Oct. 14. Beginning Monday, teams will be allowed to participate in strength and conditioning and sport-related meetings and skill instruction for up to 12 hours a week, with an eight-hour limit on skill instruction.No scrimmages against other teams or exhibitions are allowed. It also was recommended each team play a minimum of four nonconference games.The council is scheduled to meet again Oct. 13-14 and could delay the start date and change other pieces of the basketball framework if circumstances surrounding the virus warrant.The council also voted to extend the recruiting dead period for all sports until Jan. 1. In-person recruiting is prohibited during a dead period, though phone calls and other correspondence are allowed.Also approved was civic engagement legislation. Practicing, competing and other countable athletically related activities will be prohibited on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November each year, including this year’s Election Day on Nov. 3.The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee proposed the legislation to provide a day each year dedicated to increasing opportunities for athletes to participate in activities such as voting or community service.

NCAA basketball season set to open day before Thanksgiving

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Now that the Big Ten has a rescheduled kickoff weekend, coaches and players can start the sprint to opening day.

After canceling spring football, limiting and sometimes pausing offseason workouts, shutting down full-contact practices and eventually postponing the season, the league’s 14 university presidents and chancellors have given teams five weeks to accomplish what typically takes months — getting into football shape by late October for the start of a most unusual season.

“We’re going to be ready to play on (October) the 24th,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said, referring to the new opening weekend. “You know, the ramp up to that, and the 20 hours (of weekly practice), and putting on pads has been well thought out. So we’ll be ready. We’ll play with depth.”

Vocal critics of the school leaders who voted 11-3 to postpone all fall sports amid an August uptick in COVID-19 cases have been largely silenced by the unanimous vote that put Big Ten football back on the calendar alongside the ACC, Big 12 and SEC.

Those who play the sport, teach the sport and watch the sport almost universally expressed joy and relief Wednesday, knowing football will return. Like those other conferences, though, Big Ten football will look different in many ways.

Stadiums will be mostly empty and tickets will not be sold to the public. The season has been reduced from 12 games to eight with the opportunity for a ninth around the Dec. 19 conference championship game.

Players will undergo daily antigen testing before practice and if two tests confirm a positive result, the player must sit out 21 days before being cleared for game action. Those who contract COVID-19 must be cleared by a school-designated cardiologist before returning. Teams will have backup plans if the head coach or an assistant falls ill.

Not everyone is following the same script, either. Indiana University plans to conduct daily testing starting Thursday. The league won’t require it until Sept. 30.

And though everyone understands the guidelines and polices, coaches may spend more time over the next few weeks contemplating how to properly sanitize practice facilities, meeting rooms and locker rooms than crafting game plans because the healthiest team could emerge as the league champ.

“My initial concerns were how do you meet, how do you practice, how do you keep social distancing during your practice but (also) in meetings and all the situations when you have close quarters.“ said Wisconsin athletic director and former football coach Barry Alvarez, who noted he’s been assured it’s achievable. “To me, that was the hardest (part), this adjusting your players and coaches to a change in how you go about your day-to-day routine.”

On the field, there are other risks like injuries.

While the Big Ten permitted teams to run and lift weights as well as doing light work in helmets for 12 hours per week over the past month, the intensity of full-contact practices will pick up quickly.

Purdue coach Jeff Brohm and Indiana coach Tom Allen don’t plan to change much this week or next.

“I think the following week, on a Tuesday — as of now I don’t think that’s set in stone — maybe the first day in shells,” Brohm said, referring to Sept. 29. “That Wednesday, the following day, may be our first day in pads, though I don’t know that’s fully set in stone.”

What else will be on the coaches’ plates? Discussions about travel and depth charts and playbooks. And some non-traditional recruiting.

Day believes he can persuade offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and cornerback Shaun Wade to play after each previously said they would opt out to focus on their NFL hopes. Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth confirmed he plans to play while Brohm plans to see if Rondale Moore, one of the league’s most electric players, might return to the Boilermakers.

“We’re going to support any decision he wants to make and the direction he wants to go,” Brohm said. “But yes, we’re definitely going to look into it and see where that goes.”

By playing nine consecutive weekends, the Big Ten can finish in time to be in the playoff mix and the bowls hunt. Friday night telecasts are likely to return while traditional Thanksgiving weekend rivalries, such as Michigan-Ohio State and Indiana-Purdue, could find new dates. And then there’s the cross-division finish against a Week 9 opponent yet to be determined.

“I have to give (Michigan coach) Jim Harbaugh a lot of credit as he was the one that came up with that idea,” Allen said. “We talked for a long time about how we decide who that ninth game is against, whether it was a blind draw against somebody from the other division. But he came up with the way to have parity in that last game. That is where we came up with the No. 7 plays No. 7 and so on.”

But despite all the unknowns, all the fears and no time to waste, there is one unifying hope it all goes off without a hitch.

“Our players want to play, our coaches want to coach and our fans want to watch,” Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said. “We’re going to be able to do all these things now, so that’s why it’s a celebration. I believe, and very strongly, that the state of Nebraska needs football. In the world I live in, football needs Nebraska. We’re going to be able to deliver that and I’m very very excited.”

By MICHAEL MAROT - Associated PressINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Now that the Big Ten has a rescheduled kickoff weekend, coaches and players can start the sprint to opening day.Expect a wild ride.After canceling spring football, limiting and sometimes pausing offseason workouts, shutting down full-contact practices and eventually postponing the season, the league’s 14 university presidents and chancellors have given teams five weeks to accomplish what typically takes months — getting into football shape by late October for the start of a most unusual season.“We’re going to be ready to play on (October) the 24th,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said, referring to the new opening weekend. “You know, the ramp up to that, and the 20 hours (of weekly practice), and putting on pads has been well thought out. So we’ll be ready. We’ll play with depth.”Vocal critics of the school leaders who voted 11-3 to postpone all fall sports amid an August uptick in COVID-19 cases have been largely silenced by the unanimous vote that put Big Ten football back on the calendar alongside the ACC, Big 12 and SEC.Those who play the sport, teach the sport and watch the sport almost universally expressed joy and relief Wednesday, knowing football will return. Like those other conferences, though, Big Ten football will look different in many ways.Stadiums will be mostly empty and tickets will not be sold to the public. The season has been reduced from 12 games to eight with the opportunity for a ninth around the Dec. 19 conference championship game.Players will undergo daily antigen testing before practice and if two tests confirm a positive result, the player must sit out 21 days before being cleared for game action. Those who contract COVID-19 must be cleared by a school-designated cardiologist before returning. Teams will have backup plans if the head coach or an assistant falls ill.Not everyone is following the same script, either. Indiana University plans to conduct daily testing starting Thursday. The league won’t require it until Sept. 30.And though everyone understands the guidelines and polices, coaches may spend more time over the next few weeks contemplating how to properly sanitize practice facilities, meeting rooms and locker rooms than crafting game plans because the healthiest team could emerge as the league champ.“My initial concerns were how do you meet, how do you practice, how do you keep social distancing during your practice but (also) in meetings and all the situations when you have close quarters.“ said Wisconsin athletic director and former football coach Barry Alvarez, who noted he’s been assured it’s achievable. “To me, that was the hardest (part), this adjusting your players and coaches to a change in how you go about your day-to-day routine.”On the field, there are other risks like injuries.While the Big Ten permitted teams to run and lift weights as well as doing light work in helmets for 12 hours per week over the past month, the intensity of full-contact practices will pick up quickly.Purdue coach Jeff Brohm and Indiana coach Tom Allen don’t plan to change much this week or next.“I think the following week, on a Tuesday — as of now I don’t think that’s set in stone — maybe the first day in shells,” Brohm said, referring to Sept. 29. “That Wednesday, the following day, may be our first day in pads, though I don’t know that’s fully set in stone.”What else will be on the coaches’ plates? Discussions about travel and depth charts and playbooks. And some non-traditional recruiting.Day believes he can persuade offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and cornerback Shaun Wade to play after each previously said they would opt out to focus on their NFL hopes. Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth confirmed he plans to play while Brohm plans to see if Rondale Moore, one of the league’s most electric players, might return to the Boilermakers.“We’re going to support any decision he wants to make and the direction he wants to go,” Brohm said. “But yes, we’re definitely going to look into it and see where that goes.”Schedules will look different, too.By playing nine consecutive weekends, the Big Ten can finish in time to be in the playoff mix and the bowls hunt. Friday night telecasts are likely to return while traditional Thanksgiving weekend rivalries, such as Michigan-Ohio State and Indiana-Purdue, could find new dates. And then there’s the cross-division finish against a Week 9 opponent yet to be determined.“I have to give (Michigan coach) Jim Harbaugh a lot of credit as he was the one that came up with that idea,” Allen said. “We talked for a long time about how we decide who that ninth game is against, whether it was a blind draw against somebody from the other division. But he came up with the way to have parity in that last game. That is where we came up with the No. 7 plays No. 7 and so on.”But despite all the unknowns, all the fears and no time to waste, there is one unifying hope it all goes off without a hitch.“Our players want to play, our coaches want to coach and our fans want to watch,” Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said. “We’re going to be able to do all these things now, so that’s why it’s a celebration. I believe, and very strongly, that the state of Nebraska needs football. In the world I live in, football needs Nebraska. We’re going to be able to deliver that and I’m very very excited.”

Big Ten teams start sprint toward unusual football season

If you were one of the many that held out hope that we would have Big 10 football this fall, today is a good day for you.&nbsp;

While no official announcement has come out of the Big 10 as of yet, multiple sources are now reporting that the announcement is imminent.&nbsp; From the bits and pieces, we have gathered it will be an eight-game season over an eight-week span. Games would start on Oct. 23rd.&nbsp;

The big change is the medical community has come up with reliable ways to rapidly test players and staff reducing the need for extensive contact tracing.&nbsp;

Here is the release from the Big 10:&nbsp;

The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) adopted significant medical protocols including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition. The COP/C voted unanimously to resume the football season starting the weekend of October 23-24, 2020. The decision was based on information presented by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force, a working group that was established by the COP/C and Commissioner Kevin Warren to ensure a collaborative and transparent process.

The Big Ten will require student-athletes, coaches, trainers and other individuals that are on the field for all practices and games to undergo daily antigen testing. Test results must be completed and recorded prior to each practice or game. Student-athletes who test positive for the coronavirus through point of contact (POC) daily testing would require a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the result of the POC test.

“Everyone associated with the Big Ten should be very proud of the groundbreaking steps that are now being taken to better protect the health and safety of the student-athletes and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Jim Borchers, Head Team Physician, The Ohio State University and co-chair of the Return to Competition Task Force medical subcommittee.

If you were one of the many that held out hope that we would have Big 10 football this fall, today is a good day for you.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">The Big Ten is expected to announce a return to football in October, sources confirmed to ESPN, first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The conference postponed all the fall sports seasons on August 11 because of concerns about the pandemic. <a href="https://t.co/kOIlIQITNi">https://t.co/kOIlIQITNi</a>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1306219109143764992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
</div>While no official announcement has come out of the Big 10 as of yet, multiple sources are now reporting that the announcement is imminent.&nbsp; From the bits and pieces, we have gathered it will be an eight-game season over an eight-week span. Games would start on Oct. 23rd.&nbsp;The big change is the medical community has come up with reliable ways to rapidly test players and staff reducing the need for extensive contact tracing.&nbsp;Here is the release from the Big 10:&nbsp;The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) adopted significant medical protocols including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition. The COP/C voted unanimously to resume the football season starting the weekend of October 23-24, 2020. The decision was based on information presented by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force, a working group that was established by the COP/C and Commissioner Kevin Warren to ensure a collaborative and transparent process.The Big Ten will require student-athletes, coaches, trainers and other individuals that are on the field for all practices and games to undergo daily antigen testing. Test results must be completed and recorded prior to each practice or game. Student-athletes who test positive for the coronavirus through point of contact (POC) daily testing would require a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the result of the POC test.“Everyone associated with the Big Ten should be very proud of the groundbreaking steps that are now being taken to better protect the health and safety of the student-athletes and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Jim Borchers, Head Team Physician, The Ohio State University and co-chair of the Return to Competition Task Force medical subcommittee. “The data we are going to collect from testing and the cardiac registry will provide major contributions for all 14 Big Ten institutions as they study COVID-19 and attempt to mitigate the spread of the disease among wider communities.”Each institution will designate a Chief Infection Officer (CInO) who will oversee the collection and reporting of data for the Big Ten Conference. Team test positivity rate and population positivity rate thresholds will be used to determine recommendations for continuing practice and competition.All COVID-19 positive student-athletes will have to undergo comprehensive cardiac testing to include labs and biomarkers, ECG, Echocardiogram and a Cardiac MRI. Following cardiac evaluation, student-athletes must receive clearance from a cardiologist designated by the university for the primary purpose of cardiac clearance for COVID-19 positive student-athletes. The earliest a student-athlete can return to game competition is 21 days following a COVID-19 positive diagnosis.In addition to the medical protocols approved, the 14 Big Ten institutions will establish a cardiac registry in an effort to examine the effects on COVID-19 positive student-athletes. The registry and associated data will attempt to answer many of the unknowns regarding the cardiac manifestations in COVID-19 positive elite athletes.“From the onset of the pandemic, our highest priority has been the health and the safety of our students. The new medical protocols and standards put into place by the Big Ten Return To Competition Task Force were pivotal in the decision to move forward with sports in the conference,” said Morton Schapiro, Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President, and Chair of the Return to Competition Task Force Steering Committee. “We appreciate the conference’s dedication to developing the necessary safety procedures for our students and the communities that embrace them.”“Our focus with the Task Force over the last six weeks was to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes. Our goal has always been to return to competition so all student-athletes can realize their dream of competing in the sports they love,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. “We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative work that our Return to Competition Task Force have accomplished to ensure the health, safety and wellness of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.”The Big Ten Conference will use data provided by each Chief Infection Officer (CInO) to make decisions about the continuation of practice and competition, as determined by team positivity rate and population positivity rate, based on a seven-day rolling average:Team positivity rate (number of positive tests divided by total number of tests administered):Green 0-2%Orange 2-5%Red &gt;5%Population positivity rate (number of positive individuals divided by total population at risk):Green 0-3.5%Orange 3.5-7.5%Red &gt;7.5%Decisions to alter or halt practice and competition will be based on the following scenarios:Green/Green and Green/Orange: Team continues with normal practice and competition.Orange/Orange and Orange/Red: Team must proceed with caution and enhance COVID-19 prevention (alter practice and meeting schedule, consider viability of continuing with scheduled competition).Red/Red: Team must stop regular practice and competition for a minimum of seven days and reassess metrics until improved.The daily testing will begin by September 30, 2020. Eventually all Big Ten sports will require testing protocols before they can resume competition. Updates regarding fall sports other than football, as well as winter sports that begin in the fall including men’s and women’s basketball, men’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and wrestling, will be announced shortly.The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.

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