Bobcats earn state playoff berth

Bobcat football fans will have only one chance to watch Summerland take on the Hi-Line Bulls, Thursday, in the first round of the 2023 NSAA Class D1 state football playoffs and that opportunity will be in person.

"The game won't be live-streamed, due to connectivity issues in Eustis," said Zach Rosenboom, Bobcat athletic director.

Fans will be able to tune in to KAMI, 100.1FM, via the internet at ruralradio.com. Pregame coverage is slated to begin at 2:35 p.m., with kickoff set for 3 p.m.

Summerland advances to postseason play after Friday's lopsided 42-16 win over North Central.

The 7-1 Bulls capped off regular season play with a 34-6 win over Cambridge. The team's lone loss came in week two, when North Platte St. Pat's came from behind for a 36-32 win.

The Bulls also defeated Alma, Arapahoe, Southern Valley, Arcadia/Loup City, Sutton and Pleasanton this season. Hi-Line averages just over 48 points per contest, while limiting opponents to 16.

Quarterback Ryker Evans leads the Bulls in rushing yards, averaging 152.8 per game. He's thrown a dozen touchdown passes and rushed for 28.

Bobcat head coach Tom Thramer called Evans "explosive."

"He is who their offense goes through on the ground and obviously through the air," Thramer said.

Evans favors two targets: Treyton Evans, who averages 34.6 receiving yards per game, and Wryston Brell, with a 30.1 yards-per-game average.

Two Bulls' players average 10 tackles a game, including senior Bryce Reiners and junior Asher Hecox.

The Bulls will have their hands full with the Bobcats' ground and aerial attacks.

Sam Cheatum leads Summerland in receiving statistics, averaging 85 yards per game, while Alec Schindler averages 80.8 yards per game.

Bobcat quarterback Michael Koenig leads the rushing attack, averaging 36.8 yards per game. Schindler averages 31.6 rushing yards per contest.

Defensively, Ethan Kester and Schindler average 12.8 tackles per game apiece.

Thramer said the Bulls look comparable, on film, to other Bobcat competitors this season.

"It is always fun when the playoffs start and you get to play someone you've never seen before," he said. "It will be a new experience for our kids and we hope to go out and compete as well as we can and come home with a good feeling on Thursday night."