SENECA (KSNT) - For the third year in a row, Nemaha Central football has found itself in the 2A state championship game.
The Thunder won their first-ever state title in 2019, and now have the chance to be back-to-back-to-back state champions on Saturday. Nemaha Central rode a 26-game winning streak heading into 2024, but Marysville spoiled the fun in week one.
Since that first loss, the Thunder haven't looked back, stacking up 11 consecutive wins on their way to state. The players are only thinking about one thing though: the next game on the schedule.
"We don't really think about it," senior Abram Keim said. "We just go out and play, and that's how we play."
"I don't think you can think about it," senior Reese Geretey said. "You just have to focus on the game in front of us and if it happens it happens. It's really good for us. Coach Glatczak has done a great job with us."
Head coach Michael Glatczak knows playing in a state championship comes with pressure, but he admires how his team has handled it. After all, being in this position is what they've been working toward.
"That's the ultimate goal every year, to practice on Thanksgiving," Glatczak said. "Obviously only two teams every year get to practice on Thanksgiving day. It's a special feeling, and these kids are excited for it. We're not going to go down to Hutch just to play, we're going to play to win."
After beating Council Grove 21-6 in the semifinals, Nemaha Central is set to face undefeated Southeast of Saline on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Hutchinson Community College.
