The road to Memorial Stadium is complete. Omaha Burke will put its undefeated record on the line against a Grand Island team that has shown promise all season long in the Class A State Championship game Monday at 7 p.m. Let's see how these teams stack up:
Most impressive wins of the season
Omaha Burke: No. 5 Millard West (twice), No. 8 Lincoln Southeast (twice)
The Bulldogs knocked off Millard West (9-3) team once in the regular season back in September 31-14, and again in the semifinals a week ago 35-28 to advance to the title game.
Burke also knocked off Lincoln Southeast once in the regular season 49-28 and again in the quarterfinals of the playoffs 35-13.
Grand Island: No. 2 Millard South, No. 3 Bellevue West
The Islanders have had a less-than-ideal road to the state championship game, but have proven they belong with the best. Grand Island knocked off Millard South 27-24 in the quarterfinals before downing Bellevue West 37-30 in last week's semifinals.
Toughest losses of the season
Omaha Burke: None
The Bulldogs come into the state title unscathed, but one loss it did face came with an injury to starting linebacker and Husker football commit Nick Henrich. Henrich missed the regular season finale and the first three playoff games PCL grade-one tear, but is set to return for the state championship.
Grand Island: No. 5 Millard West, No. 9 Lincoln Southwest
The Islanders had a bit of a hiccup in the middle of their regular season schedule in early October when they lost their starting quarterback Cole Evans. Grand Island fell in a tough OT loss to Millard West 30-24 and again the next week to Lincoln Southwest 21-7.
However, the Islanders are 4-0 since.
Players to watch
Omaha Burke:
QB Tyler Chadwick: 122 of 176 passes for 2,071 yards, 24 touchdowns and three interceptions.
RB James Burks: 200 carries for 1,834 yards, 27 touchdowns
LB Nick Henrich: 92 tackles, four sacks, blocked kick
Grand Island:
QB Cole Evans: 111 of 180 attempts for 1,421 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions
RB John Reilly: 185 carries for 928 yards, 12 touchdowns, 29 catches for 191 yards and two touchdowns
LB Caleb Francl: 93 tackles, four blocked kicks, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception
History
Omaha Burke:
Playoff appearances: 28
State Championships: 0
State Runner-Up Years: 1980, 2011
Grand Island:
Playoff appearances: 33
State Championships: 1 (1978)
State Runner-Up Years: 1987, 1990
