Storm survive upset-minded Lincoln East; advance to semis

ELKHORN — For the first time since 2020, the Elkhorn South football team is one win away from a trip to Lincoln, after the Storm defeated Lincoln East 24-19 Friday in the Class A State Quarterfinals.

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“It was a great team win,” Elkhorn South senior Brady Bousquet stated. “ The defense really stepped up in the second half, only allowing nine points. We went into the half, fixed some things and did better coming out of the break. Our adjustments we made and the way we played in the second half are what led us to the win.”

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Since finishing 2020 as state runner-up, Elkhorn South saw its season come to an early end in the quarterfinals the last two years. 

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“We were very motivated,” Bousquet spoke. “In school people were saying we were cursed, but we came out and won the game. We showed them we weren’t cursed.“

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After a scoreless first quarter, Elkhorn South struck first with a 39-yard Brody Parks field goal.

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Lincoln East answered with a 12-play, 64-yard drive, which ended with a Dash Bauman 18-yard touchdown run.

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Elkhorn South responded immediately with a trip to the end zone. In just three minutes, the Storm drove 84 yards and concluded the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Bousquet. 

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With under a minute remaining in the first half, the Spartans quickly drove the field and ended the half with a field goal to tie the game at 10.

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The Storm regrouped and came out of the locker room with a scoring drive, as Bousquet scored on a 2-yard TD run.

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After a Lincoln East field goal cut the deficit to four, the Spartans had a chance to reclaim the lead after taking over at midfield. The Storm defense came through with a turnover as Brayden DePerno pounced on a fumble.

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On the ensuing Elkhorn South drive, Bousquet found paydirt for the third time with a 3-yard TD run in the fourth.

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“We only scored one touchdown and a field goal in the first half, so we went into the locker room at the half and changed some things,” Bousquet commented. “We came out, hammered them in the run game and we set the tone in the second half.”

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Lincoln East scored with two minutes remaining in the contest to draw within five, but Elkhorn South recovered the onside kick.

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After forcing a three-and-out, the Spartans had one final opportunity to secure the upset, but the Storm defense stopped Lincoln East cold in its track to seal a spot in the state semifinals.

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Bousquet led the Storm offense with 125 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Madden Riggs went 7-of-11 for 122 yards passing; Gavin Shanahan ran for 26 yards; Aiden Skradis caught two passes for 42 yards; Ethan Duda hauled in a 38-yard reception and Luke Hoskinson added two catches for 28 yards.

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“The offensive line played really well throughout the game,” Bousquet noted. “They did a good job picking up stunts and blitzes from the defense/ We ran the ball well as a team.”

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Duda paced the defense with eight tackles, a sack and tackle for loss. Dylan Kingston and Ty Nielsen each tallied seven tackles.

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Elkhorn South (10-1) meets the only team to defeat the Storm this year in the semis, as the navy and gold head to Buell Stadium to take on Millard South (10-1) Friday at 7 p.m. Elkhorn South fell to the Patriots in week two, but since then have won nine-straight games. A 10th straight win sends the Storm back to the state championship game.

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“It’s going to take four really good practices and we need to come out motivated,” Bousquet concluded. “It’s a revenge game for us and we want to beat them.”