Huskies down Skutt for return trip to finals

Aurora's two biggest plays on the football field Friday night came from first-year players who normally take to the basketball floor. 

The Huskies rallied from 10 down to defeat Omaha Skutt 21-17 Friday night in the Class B semifinals, making its second consecutive state finals appearance. 

With a chance to take the lead, Drew Knust found Preston Ramaekers on a drag route, who was wide open in the middle of the field. The senior first-year football player turned upfield and scored to put Aurora on top, 21-17 with 3:02 left in the game. 

Skutt had the ball with a chance to win the game on the Aurora side of the field. Skutt QB Caden Becker looked for a tight window on a flag route, but Tate Nachtigal, another first-year football player, used his length and leaping ability to knock the ball away. The Huskies would eventually hold on 4th down with a minute left to seal the game. 

"I'm so glad they came out to play," an elated coach Kyle Peterson said after the game about Ramaekers and Nachtigal.

Aurora dominated the stat sheet, totaling 452 yards to Skutt's 267. The Huskies rushed for 259 yards, highlighted by another stellar game from Carlos Collazo. 

The junior back ran the ball 33 times for 234 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 26 rushing scores, setting a new single season record. It breaks the mark previously held by Aaron Collingham and Preston Dibbern of 1995 and 2015. 

Carsen Staehr had a big night, catching six passes for 106 yards, with multiple 3rd down grabs and numerous broken tackles. 

Aurora is headed back to Memorial Stadium for a rematch from week two of the regular season, Bennington. The Badgers defeated Elkhorn 28-7 and are undefeated heading into the rematch with the Huskies, who are 10-2. 

Aurora and Bennington will play for the Class B title Monday, November 22 with a 7:15 p.m. kick. 

For live updates from the sidelines follow us on Twitter @SportsANR and see next week's News-Register for full coverage.