Storm roll past Titans and into quarterfinals

ELKHORN — Another strong defensive showing guided the Elkhorn South football team to a 42-8 triumph over Papillion-La Vista South Friday in the opening round of the Class A State Tournament.

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“It feels great to get the win,” Elkhorn South senior Ashton Murphy stated. “We can’t do it without everyone on the team. It’s amazing to see us all work together and see what we can do on the scoreboard.”

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It was all Storm from the opening kickoff, as Ty Nielsen returned the opening kick to the Titan 11-yard line. Three plays later, Brady Bousquet scored on a 3-yard touchdown run.

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“Special teams means everything,” Murphy added. “When you can get into the red zone on the opening kickoff, the momentum just keeps going on both sides of the ball.”

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After the Elkhorn South defense forced a three-and-out on Papillion-La Vista South’s first drive, the Storm used a 12-play drive to reach paydirt again as Bousquet scored his second TD on a 2-yard plunge to go ahead 14-0 in the first stanza.

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Elkhorn South went to the air for its next two scores in the second quarter. Madden Riggs connected on a 42-yard TD pass to Nielsen early in the second. 

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Riggs tallied his second scoring pass late in the first half as the junior gunslinger found Aidan Skradis for a 29-yard scoring pass.

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“With (Carson) Rauner getting injured (Elkhorn South’s starting quarterback), it was really important that Madden (Riggs) stepped up,” Murphy commented. “It adds another dynamic to our game.”

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The Elkhorn South defense joined the scoring party on the Titans’ next drive. Henry Prochazka applied the pressure to Papillion-La Vista South QB Chase Cunningham and forced an errant pass. Landon Wemhoff picked off the pass and went 25 yards for the score to give the navy and gold a 35-0 advantage at the break.

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The Storm tallied their final score in the third quarter with a 55-yard TD run by Gavin Shanahan.

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Papillion-La Vista South broke Elkhorn South’s impressive shutout streak midway through the fourth, as Ben Shafer scored on a 28-yard touchdown run. The score broke a 13-quarter shutout streak for Elkhorn South.

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“We’re the best defense,” Murphy noted. “Our defense has the ability to take us far.”

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The win sealed a spot in the state quarterfinals for the ninth-straight year for the Storm. 

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Elkhorn South dominated all three phases of the game. The Storm special teams secured a huge advantage in the field possession game and Elkhorn South outgained Papillion-La Vista South 340-121.

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Riggs threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns to lead the offense. Shanahan ran the ball for 81 yards and a score; Bousquet rushed for 45 yards and two TDs; Luke Hoskinson caught five passes for 64 yards; Nielsen had a 42-yard touchdown reception; Skradis pitched in a 29-yard TD catch and Jaydon Sutko added 53 yards rushing.

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The Storm defense was led by Murphy with two pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Wemhoff notched a pick six, while  Dylan Kingston and Will Marasco each intercepted a pass.

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Elkhorn South (9-1) looks to punch a ticket to its first semifinal’s appearance since 2020, as the Storm host Lincoln East Friday.

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“We have to keep getting after it at practice and bringing it every day,” Murphy concluded.