Undefeated

Cedar Catholic tops defending state champs to finish regular season at 9-0

NORFOLK — The Cedar Catholic Trojans got over the proverbial hump Friday.

The Trojans turned away Norfolk Catholic 27-7 on the road with a relentless rushing attack and a very stubborn defense to produce.

The victory marked the third undefeated season in school history and gave the Trojans the District title.

It also wrapped up the top seed Class C2 football playoffs, which begin this week.

“We had a great week of preparation and I felt we were both mentally and physically ready for this game,” said Cedar Catholic coach Chad Cattau. “I could feel from the kids all day that they were emotionally ready to play.”

Two first quarter touchdowns got Cedar Catholic going and the Trojans just kept hammering away at the Knights the entire game.

“We came out right away and played hard which helped set the tone for the game,” said Cattau. “We got movement on the line of scrimmage and established ourselves and how we would run the ball all night.”

Brady Hochstein, who would finish with 193 yards on his 18 touches, ran over and around Norfolk Catholic for 21 yards and a score to make it 6-0 after a missed extra point kick, and with just under six minutes left in the first frame the Trojans were up 6-0.

A touch over four minutes later, Breiton Whitmire was in the end zone for Cedar Catholic after a 5-yard run. A Jared Rutar kick made it 13-0.

The Knights answered with their lone touchdown of the evening early in the second quarter and it was 13-7.

The teams butted heads for the rest of the first half until Grady Haberer threw up a 50/50 ball that ended up in the hands of Cooper Hochstein from 20 yards out and after Brady Hochstein ran in the conversion the teams went to the halftime break with the Trojans on top, 21-7.

Brady Hochstein crashed into the end zone for some insurance in the third quarter, but the Trojan defense didn’t really need the help.

Cedar Catholic held the vaunted Norfolk Catholic rushing attack to the one touchdown and allowed just 119 yards through the air.

Haberer was a very efficient 9-for-13 through the air for 122 yards and a score.

The Hochsteins were very active defensively. Easton and Brady Hochstein each had 13 tackles, Quinn Hochstein had a dozen stops and Bodie Hochstein was in on eight tackles.

Breiton Whitmire and Micah Cattau had seven tackles each and each had a tackle behind the line of scrimmage, Quinn Hochstein recovered a fumble.

The Trojans will open action in the Class C2 Football Playoffs when they host Hershey Oct. 31 for a 5 p.m. kickoff.

“This week will present a big challenge for us,” Cattau said. “Hershey has a very complex option offense and they are really explosive with it. They average over 300 yards rushing per game so our run defense will be a big factor.” Cedar Catholic earned the top seed in Class C2 so will play in Hartington until the finals provided they keep winning.

Cedar Catholic 13 8 6 0 —27 Norfolk Catholic 0 7 0 0 — 7

FIRST QUARTER

Cedar: Brady Hochstein 21 run, kick no good, 5:52, 6-0.

Cedar: Breiton Whitmire 5 run, Jared Rutar kick, 1:47, 13-0.

SECOND QUARTER NC: Nathan Timmerman 2 run, kick good, 9:51, 13-7.

Cedar: Cooper Hochstein 20 pass from Grady Haberer, Brady Hochstein run, 0:00, 21-7.

THIRD QUARTER Cedar: Brady Hochstein 5 run, kick no good, 1:46, 27-7.

Cedar Passing 13-122 Rushing 33-275 Total Yards 397

Cedar Catholic Passing: Grady Haberer, 9-13 122 1TD.

Cedar Catholic Rushing: Maverick Heine 1-2; Breiton Whitmire 8-37 1TD; Micah Cattau 1-3; Grady Haberer 2-9; Brady Hochstein 18-193 2TD; Easton Hochstein 2-9; Ryan Hoebelheinrich 1-22.

Cedar Catholic Receiving: Quinn Hochstein 3-46; Bodie Hochstein 1-15; Cooper Hochstein 1-20 1TD; Booker Hochstein 1-16; Breiton Whitmire 1-0; Brady Hochstein 1-3; Easton Hochstein 2-23.

Cedar Catholic Individual Tackles: Quinn Hochstein 12 1FR; Bodie Hochstein 8; Breiton Whitmire 7 1TFL; Micah Cattau 7 1TFL; Mason Baller 6; Nolan Heimes 2; Hudson Dendinger 2; Brady Hochstein 13; Hunter Kuchta 9; Easton Hochstein 13; Sam Wiebelhaus 3; Will Steffen 6; Jared Rutar 7; Gus Lammers 4; Ryan Hoebelheinrich 5.